Manhattan, NY — Rocco's, an American restaurant located at 1 West 3rd Street in Manhattan, received a score of 29 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 4, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, a significant decline from its previous Grade A rating.

The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 6, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the inspection.

The critical violation, cited under code 02G, involved cold time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items being held above 41°F. This category also covers smoked or processed fish held above 38°F, intact raw eggs held above 45°F, and reduced oxygen packaged TCS foods held above required temperatures outside of active necessary preparation. Maintaining proper cold holding temperatures is one of the most fundamental requirements in food safety, as temperatures above these thresholds can allow rapid bacterial growth in perishable foods.

The non-critical violation, cited under code 08A, noted that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This violation addresses environmental conditions within the restaurant that could attract or sustain pest activity, such as gaps in walls, improper food storage, or inadequate sanitation practices.

Food Safety Context

Cold holding temperature requirements are established under both NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. These regulations require that potentially hazardous foods — those capable of supporting bacterial growth — be maintained at 41°F or below during cold storage and display. When cold TCS foods are held above this threshold, pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli can multiply to levels that pose a risk of foodborne illness.

The FDA Food Code identifies improper holding temperatures as one of the leading contributing factors in foodborne illness outbreaks. Restaurants are required to monitor food temperatures regularly and ensure that refrigeration equipment is functioning properly to maintain safe conditions.

Pest-related violations, while cited as non-critical in this instance, are taken seriously by DOHMH because pest activity in food establishments can lead to contamination of food products and food contact surfaces. Conditions conducive to pests — such as structural gaps, accumulated debris, or improper waste management — must be addressed to prevent active infestations.

Inspection History

Rocco's prior inspection record shows a notable change in performance:

  • 2023-11-20: Score 10 (Grade A)
  • 2026-03-04: Score 29 (Grade C)

The restaurant's previous inspection in November 2023 resulted in a score of 10, well within the Grade A range. The current score of 29 represents a 19-point increase and a drop of two grade levels. Under DOHMH procedures, restaurants that receive a Grade C on an initial inspection are typically scheduled for a re-inspection, during which the establishment has an opportunity to correct cited violations and potentially achieve a lower score.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on violation point totals. Each violation carries a predetermined point value, with critical violations generally carrying more points than non-critical ones. The grading thresholds are:

  • A: 0-13 points — The restaurant is in substantial compliance with food safety regulations
  • B: 14-27 points — The restaurant has moderate violations that need correction
  • C: 28+ points — The restaurant has significant violations requiring attention

A Grade C score does not necessarily mean the restaurant is immediately closed. Rather, it indicates that the combined severity of violations documented during the inspection exceeded the 28-point threshold. Restaurants receiving a B or C grade may post the grade or opt for a re-inspection. The grade card displayed at the entrance reflects the restaurant's most recent adjudicated score.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is publicly accessible online. Inspection results for Rocco's and all other NYC establishments are available as public record data through the city's open data portal.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Rocco's including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.