Brooklyn, NY — Sabor Restaurant & Bakery, a Latin American restaurant at 141 Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on March 13, 2026. The establishment received a score of 21 points and was cited for one critical violation and one non-critical violation related to pest activity. This marks the second closure for the restaurant in less than a month.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 13 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented two violations at the establishment:

The critical violation, cited under code 04M, identified live roaches present in the facility's food or non-food areas. The presence of live cockroaches in a food service establishment represents a direct risk to food safety, as roaches are known carriers of bacteria including Salmonella and E. coli and can contaminate food, preparation surfaces, and utensils.

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 indicates that inspectors identified environmental conditions — such as gaps in walls, improper food storage, or accumulated debris — that could attract or sustain pest populations.

The combination of active pest presence and underlying harborage conditions led DOHMH to re-close the establishment.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, inspectors evaluate restaurants across a range of public health criteria, and violations are assigned point values based on their severity. Critical violations — those that directly contribute to foodborne illness risk — carry higher point values than general or non-critical violations.

The FDA Food Code, which serves as the basis for many local food safety regulations, classifies pest activity as a critical concern in food service environments. Cockroaches in particular are identified as a significant vector for contamination. The FDA Food Code requires that food establishments be designed, maintained, and operated to prevent the entry and harborage of pests.

A score of 21 points falls within the Grade B range (14–27 points) under NYC's restaurant grading system. However, because the establishment was ordered closed, the grade assignment is secondary to the closure action. Restaurants that are closed must address all cited violations and pass a re-inspection before they are permitted to resume operations.

Inspection History

Sabor Restaurant & Bakery's inspection record shows a pattern of fluctuating scores over the past several years:

  • Feb 19, 2026: Score 50, Closed by DOHMH
  • Mar 10, 2025: Score 27
  • Feb 25, 2025: Score 45 (Grade C)
  • Feb 12, 2025: Score 18
  • Aug 14, 2023: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • Aug 7, 2023: Score 2 (Grade P)
  • Aug 2, 2023: Score 22, Closed by DOHMH

The March 2026 closure is the restaurant's third closure documented in DOHMH records. The establishment was previously closed on February 19, 2026, with a score of 50 points — its highest recorded score. Prior to that, the restaurant was closed in August 2023 with a score of 22.

The restaurant's recent trajectory is notable. After earning a Grade A with a score of 12 in August 2023, the establishment's scores increased through early 2025, culminating in a Grade C score of 45 in February 2025. The two closures in February and March 2026 indicate ongoing compliance challenges.

It is important to note that inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 16, 2026, three days after the inspection was conducted. Conditions at the establishment may have changed between the inspection date and the publication of this report.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on inspection scores:

  • A: 0–13 points (lowest risk)
  • B: 14–27 points
  • C: 28 or more points (highest risk)

Lower scores indicate fewer and less severe violations. Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection are entitled to a re-inspection, during which they may improve their score. Restaurants that are closed must correct all violations before reopening.

Grade cards must be posted at the entrance of the establishment where they are visible to the public. Consumers can verify any restaurant's current grade and inspection history through the DOHMH website or the NYC Open Data portal.

For additional information about restaurant inspections and food safety in New York City, residents can contact DOHMH at 311 or visit the department's online restaurant inspection portal. Inspection data used in this report is sourced from publicly available DOHMH records.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Sabor Restaurant & Bakery including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.