Manhattan, NY — Subway at 250 10th Avenue received a Grade C rating after a health inspection conducted March 10, 2026 documented critical violations related to food contact surface sanitation. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) assigned the restaurant 28 points, marking a significant departure from its previous inspection record.

What Inspectors Found

Health inspectors documented that food contact surfaces were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred. This violation, classified under NYC Health Code Section 06D, is considered critical because improperly sanitized surfaces that come into direct contact with food can facilitate the transfer of harmful bacteria and pathogens to ready-to-eat items.

Food contact surfaces include cutting boards, slicers, prep tables, utensils, and other equipment that directly touch food during preparation. According to NYC Health Code Article 81, these surfaces must be cleaned and sanitized between uses, especially after handling raw proteins or switching between food types, to prevent cross-contamination.

Food Safety Context

The violation documented at this location addresses a fundamental food safety principle outlined in both NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. Proper sanitation of food contact surfaces requires a three-step process: washing with detergent to remove soil and food particles, rinsing with clean water, and sanitizing with an approved chemical solution or hot water to eliminate pathogens.

Failure to maintain this protocol can result in the survival and spread of foodborne illness-causing organisms such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. Sandwich shops face particular scrutiny in this area because many menu items are prepared cold and served without a cooking step that would eliminate pathogens introduced through contaminated surfaces.

The 28-point score places this establishment in Grade C territory, indicating conditions that require immediate corrective action. Under NYC regulations, restaurants receiving Grade C must post this rating publicly and address all violations before requesting a re-inspection.

Inspection History

This Grade C represents a notable change from the restaurant's historical performance:

  • March 10, 2026: Score 28 (Grade C)
  • January 21, 2025: Score 5 (Grade A)
  • July 3, 2024: Score 27
  • April 28, 2023: Score 9 (Grade A)
  • May 18, 2022: Score 8 (Grade A)

The location maintained Grade A ratings in 2022, 2023, and 2025, with scores consistently below 10 points. The July 2024 inspection recorded 27 points, one point below the Grade C threshold, suggesting ongoing challenges with health code compliance at this location.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

The NYC DOHMH assigns grades based on points accumulated during inspections, with fewer points indicating better compliance:

  • Grade A: 0-13 points
  • Grade B: 14-27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

Inspectors assign points for each violation based on its severity and public health risk. Critical violations, which pose immediate health hazards, carry higher point values than general violations. Restaurants scoring 28 points or higher must post a Grade C card until a re-inspection demonstrates improved conditions.

DOHMH data released March 11, 2026 reflects the inspection conducted the previous day. The restaurant remains open and cited violations must be corrected before the next scheduled inspection.

What Happens Next

Subway can request a re-inspection after addressing the documented violations. During the re-inspection, health inspectors will verify that proper sanitation protocols have been implemented and that food contact surfaces are being adequately cleaned and sanitized according to code requirements.

New York City residents can access complete restaurant inspection records through the DOHMH website at nyc.gov/health/restaurants. The database includes violation details, inspection dates, and current grade information for all food service establishments operating in the five boroughs.

The Grade C rating will remain posted at the 10th Avenue location until the restaurant demonstrates compliance with all applicable health code requirements during a subsequent inspection.

More About This Restaurant

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