Brooklyn, NY — Salt + Charcoal, a Japanese restaurant located at 171 Grand Street in Brooklyn, received a score of 28 following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 21, 2026. A score of 28 places the establishment in Grade C territory under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 9, 2026.

The inspection identified one critical violation and three non-critical violations across food temperature, facility maintenance, and recordkeeping categories.

What Inspectors Found

The single critical violation recorded during the inspection involved hot food temperature control. Inspectors documented that a temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) hot food item was not being held at or above 140°F, as required under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. Proper temperature control is considered a critical safeguard against the growth of harmful bacteria, including Salmonella and Clostridium perfringens, in cooked or heated foods.

Three non-critical violations were also cited:

  • Code 08A: The establishment was found not to be free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests.
  • Code 09C: Food contact surfaces were found to have improper design, construction, or materials, or were not easily cleanable and maintained.
  • Code 20-06: The current letter grade or Grade Pending card was not posted in a location visible to the public.

Non-critical violations, while not immediately linked to foodborne illness, are required to be corrected and may contribute to a lower inspection score if left unaddressed.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain hot TCS foods at internal temperatures of 140°F or higher throughout service and holding periods. This requirement aligns with FDA Food Code standards, which identify temperature abuse — allowing food to remain in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 140°F — as one of the leading contributing factors to foodborne illness outbreaks in food service settings.

Pest harborage conditions, cited under Code 08A, are addressed in Article 81's provisions governing facility sanitation and structural integrity. The presence of conditions that could attract or shelter pests is considered a recurring risk factor by DOHMH inspectors and is subject to correction at follow-up inspections.

The grade card posting requirement under Code 20-06 exists to ensure that consumers have access to the most current inspection result before choosing to dine at an establishment.

Inspection History

The March 2026 inspection is the restaurant's most recent on record. Prior inspections at this location show the following:

  • March 6, 2024: Score 39 (Grade C)
  • April 4, 2023: Score 19 (Grade B range)

The 2026 result marks Salt + Charcoal's second consecutive Grade C inspection. Between 2023 and 2024, the score increased by 20 points, and the most recent inspection holds roughly the same score as the 2024 visit. Persistent Grade C scores can indicate recurring compliance challenges that have not been fully resolved between inspection cycles.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grade system, administered by DOHMH, converts numerical inspection scores into letter grades posted publicly at restaurant entrances. The grading scale is as follows:

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

Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Restaurants that receive a B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection before a grade is officially posted. Grade cards are required to be displayed in a window or door visible from the street.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history for any permitted food service establishment in New York City through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database, available at the NYC Open Data portal.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Salt + Charcoal including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.