Brooklyn, NY — Salsa, a pizza restaurant located at 40 Clifford Place in Brooklyn, received a Grade B with a score of 27 following a health inspection conducted on March 6, 2025. The score places the restaurant at the very top of the Grade B range, just one point below the Grade C threshold of 28.
The inspection identified one critical violation and no non-critical violations. The data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 13, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors cited Salsa for a single critical violation related to the improper storage or use of toxic chemicals or pesticides in a manner that could lead to food contamination (violation code 04E).
Under NYC Health Code Article 81, restaurants are required to store all toxic substances — including cleaning agents, pesticides, and sanitizers — in designated areas that are physically separated from food, food-contact surfaces, and food preparation areas. The FDA Food Code further specifies that poisonous or toxic materials must be stored in cabinets or areas that are not above or adjacent to food, equipment, utensils, linens, or single-service articles.
Chemical contamination of food poses a direct health risk to consumers and is classified as a critical violation because of its potential to cause immediate harm. Even when chemicals are not in active use, improper placement near food storage or preparation zones creates conditions where accidental contamination can occur through spills, leaks, or cross-contact.
Food Safety Context
A score of 27 is notable because it represents the maximum number of points a restaurant can accumulate while still retaining a Grade B designation. At 28 points, a restaurant falls into Grade C territory, which can trigger additional re-inspection requirements and may affect consumer confidence.
The NYC restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns penalty points for each violation documented during an inspection. Critical violations carry higher point values than general (non-critical) violations, reflecting their greater potential impact on public health. The fact that Salsa reached 27 points with only a single critical violation and no non-critical violations indicates that the chemical storage issue was assessed as a significant concern by inspectors.
Inspection History
No prior inspection history is available for this establishment in the current DOHMH dataset. This may indicate that the March 2025 inspection was the restaurant's first cycle inspection on record, or that previous records fall outside the currently available data range.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores:
- A (0–13 points): Minimal violations found
- B (14–27 points): Moderate violations documented
- C (28+ points): Significant violations identified
Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection are entitled to a re-inspection, and the better of the two scores determines the posted grade. Grades are required to be displayed at the restaurant entrance.
Consumers can look up inspection results for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH online database or by searching the establishment on the NYC Restaurant Grades portal. Inspection reports provide a full breakdown of violations cited, scores assigned, and any enforcement actions taken.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Salsa including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.
Violations Documented — Mar 6, 2025
CRITICAL
Toxic chemical or pesticide improperly stored or used such that food contamination may occur. (Code 04E)
CRITICAL
Toxic chemical or pesticide improperly stored or used such that food contamination may occur. (Code 04E)
CRITICAL
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. (Code 06C)
CRITICAL
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. (Code 06C)
Non-Critical
Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink. (Code 09E)
Non-Critical
Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink. (Code 09E)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink. (Code 09E)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
CRITICAL
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. (Code 06C)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
Non-Critical
Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained. (Code 09C)
Non-Critical
Non-food contact surface or equipment 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. (Code 10F)
Non-Critical
Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained. (Code 09C)
Non-Critical
Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used. (Code 08C)
Non-Critical
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. (Code 20-04)
CRITICAL
Toxic chemical or pesticide improperly stored or used such that food contamination may occur. (Code 04E)
Non-Critical
Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink. (Code 09E)
CRITICAL
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. (Code 06C)
Non-Critical
Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of. (Code 10B)