Brooklyn, NY — Ras Plant Based, an Ethiopian restaurant located at 739 Franklin Avenue, received a Grade B rating after a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 10, 2026. The establishment scored 27 points, placing it at the upper limit of the Grade B range and one point away from Grade C territory.
Inspectors documented one non-critical violation during the visit. The restaurant's operating permit remains active, and violations were cited for corrective action.
What Inspectors Found
Health inspectors identified conditions conducive to pest activity at the Franklin Avenue location. The violation record indicates the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions that could attract rodents, insects, or other pests.
Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments must maintain premises free from conditions that support pest infestation. This includes eliminating food sources, water, and shelter that pests require for survival. The FDA Food Code similarly requires food establishments to prevent pest entry and eliminate harborage conditions.
The March 10 inspection resulted in no critical violations—those representing immediate public health hazards. The single non-critical violation documented relates to facility maintenance and sanitation practices.
Food Safety Context
Pest-related violations fall under NYC Health Code Article 81.13, which establishes standards for facility maintenance and pest control. While the documented violation was classified as non-critical, pest harborage conditions can escalate if not addressed promptly.
The 27-point score represents the restaurant's highest inspection result in three years. Each violation carries a point value based on severity, with scores accumulating to determine final grades. Non-critical violations typically carry lower point values than critical violations.
DOHMH conducts unannounced inspections of food service establishments at least once annually. Restaurants scoring 14 or more points receive a Grade B or C depending on total points.
Inspection History
Ras Plant Based has maintained an active operating permit since 2022. Previous inspection records show:
- 2026-01-12: Score 38
- 2024-08-21: Score 13 (Grade A)
- 2024-06-25: Score 29
- 2023-03-16: Score 10 (Grade A)
- 2023-02-21: Score 48
- 2022-01-12: Score 12 (Grade A)
The restaurant earned Grade A ratings in August 2024, March 2023, and January 2022. The current 27-point score marks a decline from the 13-point Grade A result recorded in August 2024.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades based on inspection point totals:
- Grade A: 0-13 points
- Grade B: 14-27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Restaurants must post their current grade card in a conspicuous location visible to the public. Establishments can request re-inspection to attempt improving their grade.
The March 10 inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 12, 2026. Violation details and inspection scores are public record, accessible through the NYC Open Data portal.
Consumers can verify current inspection grades and review violation history for any NYC food service establishment at nyc.gov/health/foodsafety or through the NYC Health mobile application.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Ras Plant Based including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.