HARLEM CAFE

🚫 CLOSED BY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Friday, March 10, 2023

Overview

HARLEM CAFE was ordered closed by the NYC Health Department on March 10, 2023 following a health inspection. The inspection found 2 violations, including 2 critical.

Address
2259 ADAM CLAYTON POWELL JR BOULEVARD
Manhattan, NY
Cuisine
American
Inspection Type
Pre-permit (Operational) / Initial Inspection
Violations
2 total
⚠ 2 critical
Facility History
7 inspections
1 failures

Violations Cited

⚠ CRITICAL 02G

Cold TCS Food Held Above 41°F

Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.

⚠️ Why This Matters

DANGER ZONE GROWTH: Between 41-70°F, E. coli doubles every 30 minutes. Salmonella doubles every 20 minutes at 70-90°F. After just 4 hours above 41°F, bacteria levels can cause severe illness including bloody diarrhea, kidney failure (E. coli), and typhoid fever (Salmonella).

📋 Code Requirements

Keep all cold TCS foods at 41°F or below (smoked fish 38°F, shell eggs 45°F). Monitor with calibrated thermometer every 2-4 hours. Ice baths must surround container to food level. Repair refrigeration immediately. DISCARD foods above 41°F for over 4 hours.

CDC Risk Factor: Improper Holding/Time & Temperature
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.09(c)
⚠ CRITICAL 03A

Food from unapproved or unknown source

Food, prohibited, from unapproved or unknown source, home canned or home prepared. Animal slaughtered, butchered or dressed (eviscerated, skinned) in establishment. Reduced Oxygen Packaged (ROP) fish not frozen before processing. ROP food prepared on premises transported to another site.

⚠️ Why This Matters

Unapproved sources may contain parasites, chemicals, or pathogens not eliminated by cooking

📋 Code Requirements

Purchase from licensed, inspected suppliers; maintain invoices; no home-prepared foods

CDC Risk Factor: Food from Unsafe Sources
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.11
Inspector's Action:

Establishment Closed by DOHMH. Violations were cited in the following area(s) and those requiring immediate action were addressed.

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HARLEM CAFE — Inspection Questions

Did HARLEM CAFE pass their NYC health inspection on March 10, 2023?
HARLEM CAFE was closed by the health department on March 10, 2023 with a score of 62 points. The facility was ordered closed due to serious health violations.
What critical violations did HARLEM CAFE have?
HARLEM CAFE had 2 critical violation(s) during their inspection. Critical violations directly contribute to foodborne illness and must be corrected immediately. These include issues with temperature control, hand washing, cross-contamination, and pest infestations.
What does violation code 02G mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 02G (Cold TCS Food Held Above 41°F) is a critical violation. Cold potentially hazardous foods must be kept at 41°F or below (38°F for smoked fish) to prevent bacterial growth. DANGER ZONE GROWTH: Between 41-70°F, E. coli doubles every 30 minutes. Salmonella doubles every 20 minutes at 70-90°F. After just 4 hours above 41°F, bacteria levels can cause severe illness including bloody diarrhea, kidney failure (E. coli), and typhoid fever (Salmonella).
What does violation code 03A mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 03A (Food from unapproved or unknown source) is a critical violation. All food must come from approved, inspected sources to ensure safety Unapproved sources may contain parasites, chemicals, or pathogens not eliminated by cooking