Brooklyn, NY — Tsaocaa / Bb.q Chicken, a combined coffee, tea, and chicken restaurant located at 773 59th Street in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a routine inspection conducted on April 21, 2026. The establishment received a score of 47 points, placing it firmly in Grade C range under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on April 24, 2026.
The closure action noted that violations were cited and those requiring immediate action were addressed on-site before the inspection concluded.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented one violation during the April 21 inspection, classified as non-critical under the city's scoring system.
The violation — recorded under Code 08C — involved the improper use or storage of pesticide or other toxic chemicals. Specifically, inspectors identified an unprotected and unlocked bait station on the premises. Under New York City Health Code and related pesticide regulations, bait stations used in food service establishments must be properly secured and labeled, and pesticide application must be performed by licensed individuals using approved methods.
While the single listed violation was categorized as non-critical, the resulting score of 47 points reflects the cumulative weight assigned to the cited condition under DOHMH's scoring methodology. The department's closure action indicates that conditions observed required intervention before the establishment could continue operating.
Food Safety Context
Pesticide and toxic chemical management in food service environments is governed under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes standards for the storage, handling, and application of any substance that may pose a contamination risk to food, food-contact surfaces, or the broader facility environment.
The FDA Food Code, which informs many state and local health regulations, similarly restricts the use of pesticides in food establishments to licensed pest control operators and requires that all pesticide products be used strictly in accordance with their label directions. Unlocked or unprotected bait stations present a risk of accidental contact with food, food preparation surfaces, or building occupants if not properly maintained.
Inspectors are required to act on conditions that present an immediate public health risk, and the DOHMH closure authority is exercised when such conditions are identified and cannot be immediately and fully remediated during the course of the inspection.
Inspection History
Tsaocaa / Bb.q Chicken has a mixed inspection record over the past three years. The April 2026 closure represents a significant departure from the establishment's best recorded performance:
- April 21, 2026: Score 47 (Grade C), closed by DOHMH
- November 6, 2025: Score 42 (Grade C)
- May 2, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
- May 11, 2023: Score 28 (Grade C)
- February 27, 2023: Score not recorded
- February 16, 2023: Score 19 (Grade B)
The establishment earned a Grade A in May 2024, indicating a period of compliance. However, the November 2025 inspection returned a score of 42, and the most recent inspection resulted in both a higher score and a closure order. The pattern across the past several years reflects variability in the establishment's inspection outcomes.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system translates inspection point scores into letter grades posted publicly at each establishment. The grades are assigned as follows:
- Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points — indicates a high level of compliance with food safety standards
- Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points — indicates some violations were identified
- Grade C: Score of 28 points or more — indicates a greater number or severity of violations
A score of 47, as recorded in this inspection, falls well above the Grade C threshold. Establishments that receive a Grade C or that are closed by DOHMH are subject to reinspection before they may reopen or receive a posted grade.
Restaurants that are closed by the department may apply for a reinspection once required corrective actions have been completed. The reinspection process allows DOHMH to verify that the conditions that led to closure have been fully resolved.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Tsaocaa / Bb.q Chicken including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.