Staten Island, NY — Poke Cafe, a Hawaiian restaurant located at 607 Manor Road, received a Grade B following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 19, 2026. The restaurant recorded a score of 25, placing it near the upper boundary of the Grade B range and within three points of a Grade C designation. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 23, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented two critical violations during the visit.
The first, cited under Code 02B, found that hot temperature-controlled-for-safety (TCS) food was not being held at or above the required 140°F threshold. Maintaining proper hot-holding temperatures is a foundational food safety practice; failure to do so creates conditions in which harmful bacteria can multiply to unsafe levels.
The second critical violation, cited under Code 05D, identified problems with handwashing facilities. Specifically, inspectors noted that an adequate handwashing facility was not accessible, or was obstructed, or was being used for non-handwashing purposes — or that the facility lacked hot and cold running water, adequate pressure, soap, or an acceptable hand-drying device. Proper handwashing access is considered one of the most effective controls against cross-contamination in food service environments.
No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.
Food Safety Context
The violations cited are governed by NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes standards for food handling, storage, temperature control, and sanitation in licensed food service establishments. The FDA Food Code, which New York City's regulations closely mirror, classifies hot-holding temperature failures and handwashing deficiencies as critical risk factors directly linked to foodborne illness.
Temperature control violations are among the most commonly cited issues in restaurant inspections citywide. The 140°F minimum for hot TCS foods is designed to prevent the growth of pathogens such as Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus. Handwashing facility requirements exist to interrupt the transmission of pathogens from food handlers to prepared food.
A score of 25 is notable within the Grade B range. While the restaurant earned a passing grade, the result reflects a substantial number of penalty points — enough that any additional violations in a future inspection could push the score into Grade C territory.
Inspection History
Poke Cafe's prior inspection record reflects a stronger performance:
- February 11, 2025: Score 10 (Grade A)
The February 2025 inspection resulted in a Grade A, indicating the restaurant had previously maintained a high standard of compliance. The jump from a score of 10 to 25 in the most recent inspection represents a meaningful shift, though a single inspection result does not establish a trend.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on inspection scores:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C are permitted to request a second inspection, after which they may display a "Grade Pending" card while awaiting a final determination.
Current and historical inspection records for Poke Cafe and other NYC establishments are available through the DOHMH's public restaurant inspection database at nyc.gov.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Poke Cafe including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.