Brooklyn, NY — Re La Gun Tang, a Chinese restaurant located at 5304 8th Avenue in Brooklyn, received a score of 47 during a health inspection conducted on February 27, 2026, according to data released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 2, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, the lowest grade in the city's restaurant grading system.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 27 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one non-critical violation at the establishment:
Non-food contact surfaces or equipment were found to be made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit. This violation falls under NYC Health Code 10F.
While the inspection record lists only one non-critical violation, the restaurant's total score of 47 points indicates that additional violations were identified during the inspection that contributed to the overall score. Each violation in the DOHMH scoring system carries a specific point value, and the cumulative total determines the restaurant's grade.
It should be noted that DOHMH data releases may not always reflect the complete detail of every violation cited during an inspection. The score of 47 significantly exceeds the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation.
Food Safety Context
New York City's restaurant inspection program, governed by NYC Health Code Article 81, requires all food service establishments to maintain sanitary conditions and comply with food safety standards aligned with the FDA Food Code. The grading system, introduced in 2010, assigns letter grades based on cumulative violation point scores.
Equipment and surface cleanliness violations, such as the one documented at Re La Gun Tang, relate to maintaining proper sanitary conditions in food preparation areas. The FDA Food Code specifies that all surfaces and equipment in food establishments must be designed, constructed, and maintained to be cleanable and in good repair. Non-food contact surfaces that are not properly maintained can harbor bacteria, pests, and other contaminants that may indirectly affect food safety.
When a restaurant receives a Grade C, it has the option to post the grade or request an adjudicatory hearing with the DOHMH Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. A re-inspection may also be scheduled to give the establishment an opportunity to correct cited violations.
Inspection History
Re La Gun Tang's recent inspection history shows a pattern of elevated scores:
- October 30, 2025: Score of 51
- October 4, 2024: Score of 27 (Grade B)
- September 3, 2024: Score of 72
The restaurant has not achieved a Grade A score (0-13 points) in its available inspection history. The September 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 72, which was followed by a re-inspection in October 2024 that brought the score down to 27, earning a Grade B. However, subsequent inspections in October 2025 and February 2026 show scores climbing back above the Grade C threshold.
The current score of 47 represents a slight improvement from the October 2025 score of 51 but remains well above the Grade B cutoff of 27 points.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores:
- Grade A: 0-13 points (lowest number of violation points)
- Grade B: 14-27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Restaurants are required to post their letter grade in a conspicuous location near the entrance. The grading system is designed to provide consumers with a quick, accessible summary of a restaurant's most recent inspection results.
A Grade C score does not necessarily mean a restaurant poses an immediate health danger, but it does indicate that inspectors identified violations that accumulated a significant number of points. Restaurants receiving a Grade C may request a re-inspection or hearing to contest the findings.
Consumers can look up inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH website or the NYC Open Data portal. Inspection data, including violation details and scores, is public record and is updated regularly as new inspections are completed and data is processed for release.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Re La Gun Tang including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.