Brooklyn, NY — Primo Pica Pollo, a chicken restaurant located at 887 5th Avenue in Brooklyn, received a Grade B with a score of 26 following a health inspection conducted on February 26, 2026. The inspection identified one non-critical violation related to drainage and sewage disposal. The data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 2, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 26 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one non-critical violation at the establishment:
Inspectors cited the restaurant for failing to provide anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices where required. The citation also noted that equipment or flooring was not properly drained, the sewage disposal system was in disrepair or not functioning properly, and condensation or liquid waste was being improperly disposed of.
No critical violations were recorded during this inspection. The restaurant's score of 26 places it at the upper end of the Grade B range, one point below the Grade C threshold of 28.
Food Safety Context
Proper drainage and sewage disposal are fundamental requirements under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments across the city. Back-flow prevention devices are required to prevent contaminated water from flowing backward into clean water supplies, a safeguard outlined in both local regulations and the FDA Food Code.
Sewage disposal systems that are in disrepair can create unsanitary conditions in food preparation and storage areas. Improper disposal of condensation and liquid waste can contribute to standing water, which may attract pests and create slip hazards for employees. While this violation was classified as non-critical, proper drainage infrastructure is considered an important component of overall food safety compliance.
Inspection History
Primo Pica Pollo's recent inspection record shows a pattern that warrants context:
- October 10, 2025: Score 40 (Grade N)
The October 2025 inspection resulted in a score of 40, which fell in the Grade N category. A Grade N designation indicates the restaurant did not receive a letter grade during that inspection cycle and was subject to a re-inspection. The February 2026 score of 26 represents a notable improvement of 14 points from the previous inspection, moving the restaurant from well above the Grade C threshold down into the Grade B range.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on violation points accumulated during inspections. Fewer points indicate fewer or less severe violations:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Primo Pica Pollo's current score of 26 places it near the top of the Grade B range. Restaurants receiving a Grade B or C may choose to post the grade or a "Grade Pending" sign while awaiting a re-inspection or adjudication at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. Inspection results for Primo Pica Pollo and all New York City restaurants are public record and updated regularly as new inspection data is released.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Primo Pica Pollo including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.