Manhattan, NY — Super Taste, a Chinese restaurant located at 1502 1st Avenue on the Upper East Side, received a score of 38 during a health inspection conducted on February 18, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory. Inspectors documented four critical violations, including evidence of both rat and mouse activity in the establishment.
The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 20, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The February 18 inspection identified four critical violations and no non-critical violations at the restaurant.
Inspectors documented evidence of rats or live rats in the establishment's food or non-food areas (Code 04K), as well as evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas (Code 04L). The presence of both types of rodent activity in a single inspection is a notable finding that indicates conditions conducive to pest harborage.
Additionally, inspectors cited the restaurant for holding cold time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items above 41°F (Code 02G). TCS foods — which include items such as cooked rice, tofu, meat, and seafood commonly found in Chinese cuisine — require consistent cold holding at or below 41°F to prevent bacterial growth that can lead to foodborne illness.
The fourth critical violation involved food, supplies, or equipment not being protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service (Code 06C). This violation addresses the basic requirement that food items remain shielded from environmental contaminants throughout all stages of handling.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the standards that all food service establishments must meet to maintain their operating permits. The regulations align with the FDA Food Code, which sets national benchmarks for safe food handling, storage, and preparation.
Rodent activity violations are among the most serious findings in a restaurant inspection. Rodents can carry pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli, and their presence in a food establishment poses a direct risk of contamination to food products and preparation surfaces. The FDA Food Code requires that food establishments be maintained free of pests and that operators implement effective pest management programs.
Improper cold holding temperatures create conditions where harmful bacteria can multiply rapidly. The FDA Food Code identifies the temperature range between 41°F and 135°F as the "danger zone" where bacterial growth accelerates, and requires that cold TCS foods be maintained at 41°F or below at all times except during active preparation.
Each violation identified during an NYC restaurant inspection carries a point value, and the total score determines the letter grade. A score of 38 places Super Taste well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation.
Inspection History
Super Taste's prior inspection record shows the following:
- 2024-07-23: Score 18 (Grade N)
- 2023-11-14: Score 17
The restaurant's previous scores of 17 and 18 were both in the Grade B range (14–27 points). The February 2026 score of 38 represents a significant increase and the restaurant's first result in Grade C territory based on available records. The jump from scores in the high teens to 38 points reflects a deterioration in conditions at the establishment.
A Grade N designation, recorded during the July 2024 inspection, indicates that the inspection was an initial inspection and the grade was not yet posted, with the restaurant awaiting a re-inspection or adjudication hearing.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points recorded during an inspection:
- A: 0–13 points (lowest risk)
- B: 14–27 points
- C: 28 or more points (highest risk)
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection have the option to request a re-inspection. The letter grade must be posted in a visible location at the entrance of the establishment.
Consumers can look up inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. The database provides current and historical inspection scores, violation details, and grade information as part of the city's public transparency efforts.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Super Taste including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.