Staten Island, NY — Popeyes at 1351 Forest Avenue was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 9, 2026, following a health inspection that documented evidence of mice in the establishment. The restaurant received a score of 75 points, placing it in the C grade category and well above the 13-point threshold for an A grade.

According to inspection records released by DOHMH on March 11, 2026, inspectors cited the establishment for one critical violation: evidence of mice or live mice present in the restaurant's food or non-food areas. The violation falls under NYC Health Code Section 04L, which addresses rodent activity in food service establishments.

The closure action indicates that DOHMH required immediate corrective measures to address the violations before the restaurant could resume operations. Under NYC regulations, establishments closed for health code violations must remediate all cited conditions and pass a reinspection before being permitted to reopen.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 9 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented evidence of mice activity at the Forest Avenue location. This violation is classified as critical under NYC Health Code Article 81 because rodent presence poses a direct threat to food safety and public health.

Evidence of mice can include droppings, gnaw marks, tracks, burrows, or sightings of live rodents. The presence of rodents in food service areas creates contamination risks for food products, food-contact surfaces, and single-service items. Mice can carry pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and other bacteria that cause foodborne illness.

The inspection record indicates that violations requiring immediate action were addressed, meaning the establishment took steps to remediate the cited conditions during or immediately following the inspection. However, the closure action remained in effect pending verification of full compliance.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes comprehensive standards for food service establishment sanitation and food protection. Section 04L specifically prohibits evidence of live or dead rodents in any area of a food service establishment.

The FDA Food Code, which forms the basis for many local health regulations, requires food establishments to maintain effective pest control programs. This includes eliminating conditions that attract or harbor pests, sealing entry points, and maintaining sanitation standards that prevent pest activity.

A score of 75 points indicates multiple inspection cycles with unresolved conditions or a single inspection with severe violations. Each violation carries a point value based on its severity and public health risk. Critical violations that pose immediate health hazards carry higher point values than non-critical violations.

Under NYC's letter grading system, establishments scoring 28 or more points receive a C grade. The 75-point score documented at this inspection significantly exceeds that threshold and triggered the closure action.

Inspection History

The Forest Avenue Popeyes location has a documented inspection history dating back to 2023. Prior inspection records show:

  • August 27, 2025: Score 19 (Grade B)
  • April 14, 2025: Score 17
  • January 31, 2025: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • November 1, 2024: Score 22
  • May 1, 2024: Score 4 (Grade A)
  • March 29, 2024: Score 20
  • October 13, 2023: Score 30 (Grade C)
  • June 2, 2023: Score 18

The inspection history shows the establishment has received grades ranging from A to C over the past three years. The location previously scored 30 points in October 2023, also resulting in a C grade, but achieved an A grade as recently as January 2025 with a score of 13 points.

The pattern of varying scores indicates inconsistent compliance with health code standards. The March 2026 closure represents the first documented closure action for this location in the available inspection records.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant letter grading system provides consumers with information about food safety conditions at inspected establishments. The grading system works as follows:

  • Grade A: 0-13 points (good food safety practices)
  • Grade B: 14-27 points (some food safety issues identified)
  • Grade C: 28 or more points (multiple or severe food safety violations)

Inspections are unannounced and assess compliance with NYC Health Code Article 81. Inspectors evaluate food handling, food temperature, personal hygiene, facility maintenance, and pest control. Each violation identified carries a point value, with critical violations carrying higher values than non-critical violations.

Establishments scoring 14 or more points receive a reinspection, typically within 30 days. Closure actions occur when inspectors identify conditions that pose an immediate public health hazard, such as evidence of active rodent infestation, lack of adequate refrigeration, or sewage backup.

Public Health Resources

Consumers can verify current inspection results and closure status for any NYC food service establishment through the DOHMH online inspection database at nyc.gov/health. The database provides access to inspection reports, violation details, and grade information for all permitted food service establishments in the five boroughs.

Individuals who observe food safety concerns at restaurants can report them to 311 or through the NYC 311 mobile application. DOHMH investigates complaints and may conduct inspections based on reported concerns.

The March 9 closure of the Forest Avenue Popeyes location remains in effect until the establishment completes required corrective actions and passes a reinspection. DOHMH will update the online database when the establishment is permitted to reopen.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Popeyes including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.