Brooklyn, NY — Totonno's Pizzeria, the long-standing Neptune Avenue pizza destination in Coney Island, received a Grade C score following a health inspection conducted March 28, 2026, according to records released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 31, 2026. Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation, yielding a total score of 30 points — placing the establishment in Grade C territory.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors identified two violations during the March 28 visit.

The critical violation, Code 05H, cited the absence of an approved written standard operating procedure for preventing contamination through refillable or returnable containers. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, food service establishments that use refillable containers are required to maintain documented protocols ensuring those containers do not introduce contaminants into food or beverage products. The absence of such a written procedure constitutes a critical violation because it represents a potential pathway for foodborne illness if not properly controlled.

The second violation, Code 09C, was recorded as non-critical. Inspectors noted that food contact surfaces were found to be improperly designed, constructed, or maintained in a way that does not allow for easy cleaning, sanitizing, and upkeep. The FDA Food Code requires that surfaces coming into contact with food be smooth, durable, and readily accessible for cleaning to minimize the risk of bacterial accumulation or cross-contamination.

Neither violation resulted in a closure order. The restaurant remained open following the inspection.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food safety standards for all licensed food service establishments in the five boroughs. Violations are classified as either critical — those that pose a direct risk of foodborne illness — or non-critical, which relate to conditions that could contribute to food safety risks if left unaddressed.

The FDA Food Code, which New York City's health code incorporates and aligns with, establishes baseline standards for container sanitation and food contact surface maintenance. Written standard operating procedures for refillable containers are required because such containers, if returned from customers or reused without proper protocols, can introduce biological or chemical hazards into food service environments.

Restaurants are given an opportunity to correct violations and request re-inspection. Final letter grades are assigned following a re-inspection or adjudication process, and the posted grade reflects the most recent completed cycle.

Inspection History

Totonno's Pizzeria has maintained a strong compliance record in prior inspection cycles. The March 2026 result represents a departure from several consecutive Grade A scores:

  • 2019-06-21: Score 7 (Grade A)
  • 2018-05-31: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • 2017-10-12: Score 7 (Grade A)
  • 2017-06-08: Score 16

The restaurant's previous four inspections all resulted in scores of 16 or below, with three of those in the single digits. The jump to a score of 30 in the most recent cycle is a significant shift from that baseline, though the specific violations cited are correctable through procedural and maintenance adjustments.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system converts inspection scores into letter grades displayed publicly at restaurant entrances. The scoring system works as follows:

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

Each point corresponds to a specific violation. Critical violations carry higher point values than non-critical ones. Establishments that receive a score above Grade A threshold at an initial inspection are typically re-inspected within a set window, at which point they may earn a Grade A or be issued the grade corresponding to their re-inspection score.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Totonno's Pizzeria including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.