Manhattan, NY — Times Deli & Cafe, located at 158 West 44th Street in Midtown Manhattan, received a score of 23 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted on March 31, 2026, placing it in Grade B territory and within four points of the Grade C threshold. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 2, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited one non-critical violation during the visit. The violation, recorded under Code 08A, noted that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests.

While no critical violations were documented during this inspection, a score of 23 sits at the upper end of the Grade B range. Under New York City's scoring system, a single additional violation or a more severe assessment of existing conditions could push a restaurant into Grade C classification.

Pest harborage conditions — defined as physical conditions or clutter that provide shelter or attractants for rodents, insects, or other pests — are among the most commonly cited categories in NYC restaurant inspections. Addressing such conditions typically involves structural repairs, improved sanitation practices, and elimination of potential food or water sources.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food service establishment sanitation requirements in New York City, including standards for pest prevention and facility maintenance. The FDA Food Code, which informs local regulations nationwide, similarly requires food establishments to be maintained in a condition that prevents pest entry and harborage.

Pest harborage violations are taken seriously because the presence of pests can lead to contamination of food, food-contact surfaces, and equipment. Even when no critical violations are identified in a given inspection, conditions that allow pests to thrive represent an ongoing food safety risk that regulators require establishments to correct.

Inspection History

Times Deli & Cafe has a varied inspection record. Prior inspections on file include:

  • 2026-05-27: Score 52 (Grade Z)
  • 2024-10-22: Score 10 (Grade A)
  • 2023-06-30: Score 3 (Grade A)

The restaurant's two most recent inspections before the March 2026 visit both resulted in Grade A scores, reflecting strong compliance. The Grade Z designation recorded in May 2026 — a score assigned when a restaurant opts to re-inspect rather than accept an initial grade — indicates the establishment's situation has been evolving in the months following the March inspection covered here.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system is based on the numerical score assigned at inspection, where lower scores indicate fewer and less severe violations:

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27
  • Grade C: Score of 28 or higher

A score of 23, as recorded in this inspection, falls in the upper portion of the Grade B band. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C may request a re-inspection by the DOHMH, at which point the better of the two scores determines the posted grade.

Members of the public can view full inspection records, including violation details and scores, through the NYC DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database at NYC.gov, or through the NYC Open Data portal. Complaints about restaurant conditions can be submitted to 311.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Times Deli & Cafe including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.