Manhattan, NY — The Back Room, an American restaurant located at 102 Norfolk Street in Manhattan's Lower East Side, received a score of 45 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 18, 2026, placing it in the Grade C category. Inspection data was publicly released by DOHMH on March 23, 2026.

The single violation cited during the inspection was classified as critical, carrying significant point weight under the city's scoring system.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one violation during the March 18 visit, classified under Code 04K: evidence of rats or live rats present in the establishment's food or non-food areas. No non-critical violations were recorded during the same inspection.

Under the NYC Health Code Article 81, establishments are required to maintain premises free from pests and to implement effective pest management controls. Code 04K is among the higher-weighted violations in the city's scoring rubric, reflecting the public health risks associated with rodent activity in food service environments. The FDA Food Code similarly identifies pest control as a priority in preventing foodborne illness, noting that rodents can contaminate food contact surfaces and food supplies.

The 45-point score reflects the weighted value assigned to the single critical violation under DOHMH's scoring methodology. Each violation type carries a predetermined point value, and a single high-weight critical violation can result in a Grade C outcome even when no other violations are present.

Food Safety Context

Rodent activity in food service establishments is governed under multiple layers of regulation in New York City. NYC Health Code Article 81 requires that all food service operations maintain facilities in a manner that prevents pest entry and harborage. Establishments are expected to seal structural gaps, properly store food in pest-resistant containers, and engage in ongoing integrated pest management.

A Grade C designation requires the establishment to post the letter grade card prominently at the entrance. The restaurant may request a re-inspection, at which point a new score is calculated. If the score improves sufficiently at that subsequent inspection, the grade may be updated accordingly. Alternatively, operators may request an administrative hearing to contest cited violations.

Inspection History

The Back Room's inspection record prior to the March 2026 visit reflects scores that had previously fallen within the Grade A and Grade B ranges:

  • March 18, 2026: Score 45 (Grade C)
  • November 26, 2024: Score 22 (Grade B)
  • June 25, 2024: Score 18
  • January 10, 2023: Score 18 (Grade B)
  • April 19, 2022: Score 20

The most recent prior inspection on record, conducted in November 2024, resulted in a score of 22, placing the establishment in Grade B territory at that time. The June 2024 inspection produced a score of 18, which falls within Grade A range. The March 2026 score of 45 represents a significant increase from the establishment's recent history.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns grades based on the total number of points accumulated during a routine inspection. Violations are categorized as critical or general, with critical violations weighted more heavily due to their direct connection to foodborne illness risk.

The grading scale is as follows:

  • A: Score of 0–13 points
  • B: Score of 14–27 points
  • C: Score of 28 or more points

Restaurants that receive a B or C on an initial inspection are typically re-inspected within one to two months. The grade posted at the establishment reflects the most current inspection result or the result of an administrative hearing, whichever is more recent.

Inspection records for all permitted food service establishments in New York City are publicly available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection results database at nyc.gov/health. Consumers can search by restaurant name, address, or cuisine type to review full inspection histories, violation details, and current grade status.

More About This Restaurant

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