Manhattan, NY — T Time Boba, a coffee and tea shop located at 100 East 96th Street in Manhattan, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on July 22, 2026. The establishment received a score of 69 points, placing it firmly in C-grade territory under the city's letter-grading system. Inspection data was made available publicly by DOHMH on July 24, 2026.

The closure followed the identification of two violations — one critical and one non-critical — that inspectors determined required immediate action.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented two violations during the July 22 visit.

The critical violation, cited under Code 06A, involved inadequate personal cleanliness. This code covers a range of food handler hygiene requirements including outer garments soiled with possible contaminants, the absence of effective hair restraints in areas where they are required, jewelry worn on hands or arms, and fingernails that are either polished, unclean, or untrimmed. Code 06A violations are classified as critical because direct contact between food and improperly maintained clothing, hair, or hands can serve as a pathway for contamination.

The non-critical violation was recorded under Code 08A, which addresses harborage conditions — circumstances within or around a facility that are conducive to the presence of rodents, insects, or other pests. This code does not require evidence of active pest activity; the presence of conditions that could attract or harbor pests is sufficient to trigger a citation. Eliminating such conditions is a foundational requirement under food facility standards.

According to the inspection record, violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection. The closure notation reflects the DOHMH's authority to order an establishment to suspend operations when conditions pose a sufficient public health concern.

Food Safety Context

Personal hygiene requirements for food handlers are codified in NYC Health Code Article 81 and align with standards set forth in the FDA Food Code. These rules are designed to minimize the risk of contamination from food service workers to the food supply. Requirements around outer garments, hair restraints, and hand hygiene are considered baseline safeguards in commercial food preparation environments.

Pest harborage conditions are similarly addressed under Article 81, which requires that food establishments be maintained in a manner that prevents the entry and harboring of pests. The FDA Food Code echoes this standard, recognizing that structural gaps, improper waste storage, and certain construction materials can all contribute to conditions that attract pests. Addressing these conditions proactively — rather than only after pest activity is confirmed — is a core expectation for licensed food service establishments in New York City.

A score of 69 points is substantially above the C-grade threshold of 28 points and indicates a significant accumulation of violations or high point values assigned to those that were found.

Inspection History

T Time Boba has a documented inspection history with DOHMH. Prior records on file include:

  • May 4, 2026: Inspection conducted; score not yet reflected in available data
  • November 25, 2025: Score 27 (Grade Z — Grade Pending)
  • October 6, 2025: Score 49 (Grade N — Not Yet Graded)

The October 2025 inspection, which returned a score of 49, also placed the establishment in C-grade range. The November 2025 inspection recorded a score of 27, which falls at the upper boundary of the B-grade range; the accompanying Grade Z designation indicates that the grade was pending at that time, typically reflecting a challenge or re-inspection process. The most recent inspection on July 22, 2026, represents a significant increase in score from the November 2025 visit.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system translates inspection scores into letter grades posted publicly at each establishment. The grades are assigned as follows:

  • A: Score of 0 to 13 points (fewest violations or lowest severity)
  • B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • C: Score of 28 points or higher

Additional designations used during the inspection cycle include Grade N (Not Yet Graded, typically assigned after an initial inspection before a re-inspection occurs) and Grade Z (Grade Pending, used when a restaurant has requested a re-inspection or administrative review before a grade is posted).

Inspection scores reflect the number and severity of violations observed on the day of the visit. Critical violations — those most directly linked to foodborne illness risk — carry higher point values than non-critical violations.

Current and historical inspection records for all New York City restaurants are publicly available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection results database. Consumers can search by restaurant name, address, or cuisine type at the NYC Open Data portal or through the city's official restaurant grading website.

More About This Restaurant

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