Manhattan, NY — Rocco's Pizza, located at 148 8th Avenue in Chelsea, received a Grade B following a health inspection conducted on March 30, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 23, placing the restaurant near the upper boundary of the Grade B range and within four points of the Grade C threshold. Inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on April 7, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited one non-critical violation during the March inspection:

  • Code 08A: The establishment was found to not be free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests.

No critical violations were documented during this visit. While the single violation is classified as non-critical, Code 08A carries significant point weight under the DOHMH scoring system. Conditions that may attract or harbor pests — such as gaps in walls or floors, improper waste storage, or structural openings — fall under this category and can substantially affect a restaurant's overall score.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain their premises in a manner that prevents the entry and harboring of pests. The FDA Food Code similarly establishes that pest control is a foundational element of safe food handling environments, as pests can contaminate food, food-contact surfaces, and equipment.

A score of 23 represents a relatively high position within the Grade B band. The DOHMH grades restaurants based on cumulative point totals assigned during unannounced inspections, with each violation type carrying a designated point value. Non-critical violations like Code 08A can still contribute meaningfully to a score, particularly when structural or environmental conditions are involved.

Inspection History

Rocco's Pizza's recent inspection record shows notable variation:

  • 2022-12-20: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • 2024-06-05: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • 2025-09-15: Score 44

The September 2025 inspection, which produced a score of 44, falls above the Grade C threshold and represents the restaurant's lowest recorded performance in recent history. The March 2026 result of 23 reflects improvement from that prior inspection, though the score remains elevated relative to the Grade A results from 2022 and 2024.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

The DOHMH assigns letter grades based on the following score ranges:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points (lowest number of violations)
  • Grade B: 14–27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

Restaurants that do not receive a Grade A on an initial inspection are typically re-inspected. The grade posted in the window reflects the best score from the current inspection cycle. Consumers can view full inspection records, including violation details and historical scores, through the DOHMH's NYC Restaurant Inspection Results database at the city's open data portal.

More About This Restaurant

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