[nyc.gov](https://nyc.gov) has a pretty simple [tool](https://a816-health.nyc.gov/ABCEatsRestaurants/#!/Search) for looking up restaurant inspection results. Most of my favorite places are in the A or B range, but at least one has a C (and has for some time).
However, I can’t tell how meaningful this is. There are people in the business who make reasonable-sounding [cases](https://www.grubstreet.com/2020/03/why-chefs-are-terrified-of-the-nyc-health-department.html) that there are unreasonable inspectors who, using an example from the preceding link, will misidentify a grain of wheat on the ground as mouse poop and refuse correction, and the whole thing is more about revenue for the city then keeping restaurants clean.
On the other hand, I’ve seen similar [threads](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/comments/rx639i/eating_at_b_rated_restaurants/) of people claiming that getting at least a B is pretty easy and a C should be taken as genuine evidence of lackluster hygiene.
So, what do people think it is? Is the unsatisfying answer that it probably depends on the individual inspector and restaurant? If so, is it worth paying attention to the grades at all?
by OkMathematician3380
4 Comments
Absolutely about the dollar but It’s not difficult to get an A or correct below A grade scoring unless there are serious issues or the operators just don’t care about improving.
Scam. They fail you for whatever. You pay the fines, they come back and do a bullshit 2 minute inspection and give you the A you purchased.
This, of course, is for stores that actually are clean and follow proper sanitation procedures. I almost respect the ones who say fuck it and keep the B or the C.
I’ve had inspectors who mistook a bus tub of grated Romano cheese for fresh shredded mozzarella. They shouldn’t be inspecting if they don’t know WHAT they’re inspecting.
Generally BS, but there are places that look pretty dirty and when I look up their grade they have Bs or Cs (eg La Cabra in the East village). Not that it’s stopping me from having their awesome cardamom buns…
Not a scam, generally reasonable. Dealt with hundreds of them. If you kitchen is clean, they don’t fuck with you.