Brooklyn, NY — Punta Cana, a Latin American restaurant located at 490 DeKalb Avenue in Brooklyn, received a score of 40 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 27, 2026, placing the establishment in Grade C territory. The data was released by DOHMH on March 30, 2026. Inspectors cited two critical violations and one non-critical violation during the visit.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented two critical violations during the March 27 inspection.

The first critical violation, Code 02B, cited hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items not held at or above the required 140°F. Maintaining hot foods at proper temperatures is a foundational requirement of food safety practice, as temperatures below that threshold can allow the growth of harmful bacteria in cooked or prepared foods.

The second critical violation, Code 06C, cited food, supplies, or equipment not protected from a potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. This violation also referenced condiments not stored in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor — a requirement intended to prevent cross-contamination from shared condiment handling.

Inspectors also recorded one non-critical violation, Code 10B, related to anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices not provided where required, or improper drainage of equipment or floors. This category of violation can affect plumbing integrity and the proper disposal of liquid waste.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, restaurants operating in New York City are required to maintain hot TCS foods at or above 140°F at all times during service and holding. TCS foods — those that require time and temperature controls to limit pathogen growth — include cooked meats, poultry, rice, and other prepared items commonly served in restaurant settings.

The food protection requirements cited under Code 06C align with FDA Food Code provisions governing contamination prevention during all stages of food handling. Single-use condiment containers and direct-dispense systems are among the accepted methods for limiting the risk of cross-contamination at the point of service.

Back-flow prevention, cited under the non-critical Code 10B, is required by the NYC Plumbing Code and Health Code to protect the potable water supply from contamination caused by pressure fluctuations in the plumbing system.

Critical violations are those most directly associated with foodborne illness risk. A score of 40 points reflects the cumulative weight assigned to each violation by DOHMH inspectors under the city's points-based grading system.

Inspection History

Punta Cana's recent inspection record shows variability in performance:

  • May 21, 2026: Score 20 (Grade Z)
  • March 27, 2026: Score 40 (Grade C) — current inspection
  • October 7, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • July 15, 2024: Score 47
  • April 19, 2023: Score 9 (Grade A)

The restaurant had previously achieved a Grade A in October 2024 with a score of 13, and held a Grade A in April 2023 with a score of 9. The July 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 47, which also falls into Grade C range. The May 2026 inspection score of 20 carries a Grade Z designation, which DOHMH typically assigns when a grade is pending or a restaurant is in the process of adjudicating its score.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

DOHMH assigns letter grades based on inspection scores under the following scale:

  • A: 0 to 13 points (lowest violation burden)
  • B: 14 to 27 points
  • C: 28 points or more (highest violation burden)

Restaurants that receive a score of 28 or above on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection before a grade is officially posted. Grades must be displayed in a visible location at the entrance to the establishment.

Members of the public can look up inspection records for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database at nyc.gov/health. Inspection reports include violation codes, scores, and grade history for all inspected establishments citywide.

More About This Restaurant

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