African · 239 West 116 Street · Manhattan 10026
C Grade C posted 2025-10-23. The most recent inspection (2026-05-28) scored 20 points — 14–27 is B range, 28 or more is C — and a re-inspection will set the new grade.
2026-06-29 · Administrative Miscellaneous / Re-inspection · Violations were cited
| Code | Description | Critical |
|---|---|---|
| 20-06 | Current letter grade or Grade Pending card not posted | — |
2026-05-28 · Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection · Violations were cited · score 20
| Code | Description | Critical |
|---|---|---|
| 04A | Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations. | Critical |
| 04K | Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas. | Critical |
| 08A | Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests. | — |
2025-10-23 · Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection · Violations were cited · score 45 C
| Code | Description | Critical |
|---|---|---|
| 02B | Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F. | Critical |
| 04A | Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations. | Critical |
| 05D | No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device. | Critical |
| 06B | Tobacco or electronic cigarette use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area. | Critical |
| 06C | Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. | Critical |
| 10F | Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit. | — |
| 10G | Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient. | — |
2025-10-23 · Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection · Violations were cited
| Code | Description | Critical |
|---|---|---|
| 20-04 | “Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. | — |
| 20-06 | Current letter grade or Grade Pending card not posted | — |
2025-03-31 · Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection · Violations were cited · score 32
| Code | Description | Critical |
|---|---|---|
| 04A | Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations. | Critical |
| 04N | Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies. | Critical |
| 06C | Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. | Critical |
| 08A | Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests. | — |
| 10F | Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit. | — |
2024-08-13 · Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection · Violations were cited · score 39 C
| Code | Description | Critical |
|---|---|---|
| 02B | Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F. | Critical |
| 04A | Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations. | Critical |
| 04K | Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas. | Critical |
| 04N | Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies. | Critical |
| 06A | Personal cleanliness is inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn where required. Jewelry worn on hands or arms. Fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed. | Critical |
| 08A | Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests. | — |
| 08C | Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used. | — |
| 10F | Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit. | — |
2024-07-15 · Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection · Violations were cited · score 67
| Code | Description | Critical |
|---|---|---|
| 02B | Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F. | Critical |
| 02G | 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. | Critical |
| 04A | Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations. | Critical |
| 04J | Properly scaled and calibrated thermometer or thermocouple not provided or not readily accessible in food preparation and hot/cold holding areas to measure temperatures of TCS foods during cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding. | Critical |
| 04N | Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies. | Critical |
| 08B | Garbage receptacle not pest or water resistant, with tight-fitting lids, and covered except while in active use. Garbage receptacle and cover not cleaned after emptying and prior to reuse. Garbage, refuse and other solid and liquid waste not collected, stored, removed and disposed of so as to prevent a nuisance. | — |
| 10G | Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient. | — |
2024-07-15 · Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection · Violations were cited
| Code | Description | Critical |
|---|---|---|
| 20-04 | “Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. | — |
Inspectors recorded evidence of rats on 2 inspections: 2026-05-28, 2024-08-13
GRADE C
30 open HPD violations — 18 class C
See this building's full record
1 food-poisoning report to 311 at this address in the last three years (0 with three or more people sick)
8 Food Establishment complaints to 311 at this address in the last three years (most often: Letter Grading, Food Spoiled, No Permit or License) · complaints filed by the public; DOHMH investigates, outcomes aren't published.
Report to 311: Food poisoning · Food safety complaint
239 West 116 Street