Manhattan, NY — Soup Kitchen, located at 259 West 55th Street in Midtown Manhattan, received a score of 29 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 12, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, a notable decline for an establishment that had maintained a Grade A rating across its three most recent prior inspections.
The inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 16, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 12 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited one non-critical violation at the establishment:
Non-food contact surfaces or equipment were found to be 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. This violation falls under DOHMH code 10F.
While the violation is classified as non-critical, the restaurant's total score of 29 points exceeded the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation. The inspection action noted that violations were cited in the area identified above.
It is worth noting that while only one violation was recorded in the data provided, the total score of 29 suggests that the point values assigned during the inspection reflect the severity and scope of the conditions observed. DOHMH assigns point values based on the nature and extent of each violation documented during an inspection.
Food Safety Context
New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes sanitation standards for all food service establishments in the five boroughs. The code requires that all surfaces and equipment in food preparation areas be maintained in clean, sanitary condition and constructed of materials that can be properly cleaned and sanitized.
The requirement that non-food contact surfaces be properly sealed, raised, and spaced to allow thorough cleaning aligns with principles outlined in the FDA Food Code, which serves as a model for local health regulations nationwide. Equipment that cannot be accessed for cleaning on all sides can harbor debris, pests, and bacteria, creating conditions that may compromise overall food safety within the establishment.
DOHMH conducts unannounced inspections of the city's approximately 27,000 restaurants at least once per inspection cycle. Restaurants that receive initial scores of 28 or above are typically scheduled for a re-inspection, during which the establishment has the opportunity to correct cited violations and potentially achieve a lower score.
Inspection History
Soup Kitchen's February 2026 result represents a significant departure from its recent track record. The restaurant's prior inspection history shows consistently strong performance:
- September 10, 2024: Score 13, Grade A
- March 7, 2023: Score 3, Grade A
- February 2, 2022: Score 10, Grade A
The restaurant had not scored above 13 points in any of its three previous inspections on record, making the jump to 29 points a notable change for the establishment.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total violation points recorded during a DOHMH inspection:
- Grade A: 0 to 13 points
- Grade B: 14 to 27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request an adjudicatory hearing with the city's Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). They are also typically scheduled for a re-inspection. During the period between an initial inspection and a re-inspection or hearing, restaurants may post a "Grade Pending" card in their window.
A Grade C does not automatically result in closure. Restaurants may continue to operate while addressing cited violations, unless conditions are found that pose an imminent threat to public health, in which case DOHMH may order an immediate closure.
Residents and diners can look up the full inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal. Inspection scores, violation details, and grade histories are public record and updated regularly as new inspection data becomes available.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Soup Kitchen including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.