New York, NY — Three restaurants across the Bronx and Manhattan reopened on March 13, 2026 after passing re-inspections following health department closures. The establishments—spanning chicken, grocery, and Chinese cuisine—corrected violations that had previously forced their temporary shutdown, with new inspection scores averaging 4.7 points.

The Inspections

Kennedy Chicken in Westchester Square returned to operation with a score of 2 points and a Z grade, indicating the establishment passed its post-closure inspection. Located at 78 Westchester Square in the Bronx, the chicken restaurant had been cited for non-food contact surfaces made of unacceptable material that were not kept clean or properly sealed. The low score demonstrates substantial corrective action taken by management.

In the Hunts Point section of the Bronx, La Salle Grocery at 1232 Randall Avenue received a score of 5 points with a pending grade designation. Inspectors had documented milk or milk products that were undated, improperly dated, or expired—a violation of NYC Health Code Article 81's requirements for proper food labeling and storage. The grocery has since implemented dating protocols to ensure compliance.

Han Dynasty, a Chinese restaurant at 90 Third Avenue in Manhattan, reopened with a score of 7 points and a Z grade. The establishment had faced multiple equipment-related violations, including sanitized equipment or utensils being improperly used or stored, and non-food contact surfaces made of unacceptable material that were not properly maintained. The restaurant's successful re-inspection indicates these equipment and sanitation issues have been resolved.

Common Patterns

The March 13 reopenings reveal patterns in the types of violations that lead to temporary closures. Two of the three establishments—Kennedy Chicken and Han Dynasty—faced equipment and surface sanitation issues, particularly concerning non-food contact surfaces made of unacceptable materials or not properly sealed. This category of violation, while not involving direct food contamination, represents serious concerns about facility maintenance and sanitation infrastructure.

Geographic distribution shows the Bronx accounting for two of the three reopenings, with both establishments in different neighborhoods—Westchester Square and Hunts Point. The single Manhattan location in the East Village rounds out the day's re-inspections. Cuisine diversity is notable, spanning chicken specialists, grocery operations, and Chinese dining.

The average score of 4.7 points across these reopened establishments is significantly lower than the scores that likely triggered initial closures, suggesting comprehensive remediation efforts. All three facilities received either Z grades (indicating post-closure inspection passage) or pending grade status, which is standard for establishments undergoing re-inspection procedures.

What This Means for Diners

Restaurant closures and reopenings are part of the NYC Department of Health's enforcement system designed to protect public health. When inspectors identify critical violations or accumulations of violations that pose immediate health risks, they have authority under Article 81 of the NYC Health Code to order immediate closure until violations are corrected.

The Z grade designation indicates an establishment has passed inspection following a closure or grade pending situation. While not part of the standard A-B-C grading system, Z grades signal to consumers that the restaurant has recently undergone enhanced scrutiny and corrective action. Diners can verify current inspection results and grades through the NYC Health Department's restaurant inspection database at nyc.gov/health.

For the three establishments that reopened March 13, their low scores and successful re-inspections demonstrate compliance with health code requirements. However, consumers should remain aware that inspection results represent conditions on a specific date and can change over time.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on points accumulated during sanitary inspections. An A grade requires a score of 0-13 points, indicating excellent sanitation practices. A B grade corresponds to scores of 14-27 points, showing good sanitation with some areas needing improvement. A C grade reflects scores of 28 or more points, signaling significant sanitation deficiencies requiring immediate attention.

Inspectors assess multiple factors including food temperature control, personal hygiene, facility maintenance, pest control, and proper food sourcing. Each violation carries a point value based on its severity, with critical violations such as inadequate food temperature control or evidence of vermin carrying higher point totals.

The grade card posted in restaurant windows represents the most recent inspection score. Establishments undergo unannounced inspections at least once annually, with additional inspections triggered by complaints or follow-up requirements. The complete inspection history for any licensed food service establishment is publicly available through the Department of Health's online database.

Consumers seeking to make informed dining decisions can review not just the letter grade, but the specific violations documented during inspections. This detailed information provides context about the nature of sanitation issues and helps diners assess whether concerns have been addressed in subsequent inspections.

For more information about restaurant inspection results and food safety in New York City, visit the NYC Department of Health at nyc.gov/health or call 311.