Brooklyn, NY — Potwah Jerk Patty, a Caribbean restaurant located at 9320 Avenue L in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on June 26, 2026. The establishment received a score of 64, placing it in the C grade range. The restaurant has since reopened after a follow-up inspection on July 1, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the June 26 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented two violations — one critical and one non-critical.

The critical violation, cited under Code 03A, involved food sourced from unapproved or unknown origins. This category encompasses a range of prohibited practices including the use of home-canned or home-prepared foods, on-site animal slaughter or butchering, and the improper preparation or transport of Reduced Oxygen Packaged (ROP) foods. Inspectors noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection.

The non-critical violation, cited under Code 10B, involved drainage and plumbing concerns. Inspectors identified that anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices were not provided where required, or that equipment or flooring was not properly drained. Issues with sewage disposal systems or the improper handling of condensation and liquid waste also fall within this code category.

The combination of these violations resulted in a score of 64, which triggered the closure action by DOHMH.

Food Safety Context

The violations documented at Potwah Jerk Patty touch on foundational food safety requirements under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, both of which establish standards for food sourcing, handling, and facility sanitation.

Code 03A violations are treated seriously by regulators because food from unapproved or unknown sources cannot be verified for safety. Approved food sources are required to be regulated, inspected, and traceable — a chain of accountability that protects consumers from foodborne illness. Home-prepared or home-canned goods, for instance, are not subject to commercial food safety standards, which increases the risk of contamination. Similarly, ROP foods such as vacuum-sealed items require specific temperature controls and handling protocols to prevent the growth of dangerous anaerobic bacteria, including Clostridium botulinum.

Code 10B violations related to drainage and back-flow prevention address a different but equally important risk: the potential for contaminated water to re-enter potable water lines or for standing liquid to create conditions that support bacterial growth. Properly functioning drainage and anti-siphon devices are required under Article 81 to maintain sanitary conditions throughout a food service establishment.

When a restaurant receives a score above 28 during an inspection, it is not issued a letter grade at that time. Instead, DOHMH schedules a re-inspection. If the second inspection also results in a score above 28, the establishment receives a C grade. In cases where violations are severe enough to pose an immediate public health risk, DOHMH has the authority to close the establishment pending correction of those violations.

Inspection History

Potwah Jerk Patty's recent inspection record includes the following:

  • June 26, 2026: Score 64 (C range), closed by DOHMH
  • July 1, 2026: Score 0 (Grade Z), reopened

The July 1 follow-up resulted in a score of 0, and the restaurant was permitted to reopen. A score of 0 indicates that no violations were recorded during that inspection. The Grade Z designation is assigned when a restaurant is in the process of being re-graded following a closure or inspection cycle and a final letter grade has not yet been issued.

The inspection conducted on June 26 was recorded by DOHMH, and the data was publicly released on June 29, 2026.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City requires restaurants to post their most recent inspection grade in a visible location near the entrance. Grades are assigned based on the total score accumulated during an inspection, with lower scores reflecting fewer or less severe violations:

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • Grade C: Score of 28 points or more
  • Grade Z: Grade pending; typically assigned when a restaurant is awaiting a re-inspection or has recently reopened following a closure

Scores are calculated by assigning point values to each violation based on its severity. Critical violations — those most directly linked to foodborne illness risk — carry higher point values than non-critical violations related to facility conditions or equipment.

Consumers can look up the current inspection status and grade for any permitted food service establishment in New York City through the DOHMH restaurant inspection search tool, available on the NYC Health website. Records are updated regularly as new inspections are completed and data is processed.

More About This Restaurant

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