What a B actually tells you
A B means the restaurant had more violation points than an A allows on the inspection that set its grade. Most NYC restaurants hold an A, so a B or C is a signal to look closer, not an automatic reason to avoid a place.
What to look for
- Critical violations, especially temperature control, contamination and pests.
- Repeat problems across several inspections, visible in the inspection history.
- Recent closures by the Health Department.
- How long ago the grade was issued. A newer inspection may tell a different story.
C grades
A C means 28 or more points. C-grade restaurants are inspected more often, and a pattern of C grades is a stronger warning sign than a single B.