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Dot's Cafe

Other food place · Manhattan, NY

4 inspections

At a glance

CleanCleaver food safety systematic review results

What happened?

6 problems found · 3 marked critical · Routine health department inspection · Jul 9, 2026

Is that a lot?

Most food places here got 10 to 24 point violations. Dot's Cafe got about the same as most.

Compared with 21,170 New York City food places. Each place's last routine inspection counts.

What was found out about Dot's Cafe?

It's fair to care about this. Here's what the county found. Tap any item to see how a kitchen fixes it.

  1. Marked critical: Pests seen inside: fruit flies 04NHow to fixFix it
  2. Marked critical: Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food 06CHow to fixFix it
  3. Marked critical: Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right 06DHow to fixFix it

See all 6 items ↓

Source: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

We review New York City health data to make this report. We are not the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Which one are you?

For Dot's Cafe's team

Is this your place?

Welcome, Dot's Cafe. We'll walk through this together, one item at a time. To log the fixes, claim Dot's Cafe first; we check that you run it.

Your whole team can help. Each person gets one next step, and everyone can see what's done.

This is my place: claim Dot's Cafe

We'll help you get every item done. You don't have to do it alone.

We know an inspection can feel heavy, especially when it's busy.

  1. Fix it together

    Follow the steps for each item, with the rule beside it.

  2. Log it

    Your team logs the fix on their phones, with the time and who did it.

  3. Show what you did

    Saying what you fixed, in your own words, builds trust. Families and regulars respect a kitchen that owns it and fixes it.

Each fix step comes from the rule it names: Food Code 6-501.112, Food Code 3-302.11, Food Code 4-603.16, Food Code Part 5-5.

Try it yourself

Fix and log it: Pests seen inside: fruit flies

A practice run. Nothing is saved. Tap each step when it's done.

0 of 3 done

What to do

From Food Code 6-501.112

Logged

That's one done. We'll be here for the next.

What people see now

Today, people see the department's words and nothing from you.

What people see after you fix and log it

Example reply

CleanCleaverBusiness reply

Your business replied to this with the public statement:

We fixed this the same day. Now our team logs it on their phones at open and close.

The date of your reply

This is not an official update to the health inspection report. The county's record is unchanged.

Most kitchens get something cited at some point. What people remember is that you fixed it.

Want to join the restaurants in New York City that keep their kitchens clean and put their guests' health first?

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Replies are part of a paid plan. We read each one before it goes up. You can take it down any time. Only the department can change its record.

Do you work there, and someone else owns it? I work there

What people see next

Under each item here, people see what you fixed, in your words.

Left alone, or fixed together

Left alone, the same items can come back at the next inspection. Fixed together, they're done.

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CleanCleaver puts these same items on your team's phones, with the rule beside each one. Your binder is ready when the inspector is.

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Inspections

From New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene · 4 inspections on record · Last checked Oct 7, 2026

The health department visited once in the last 12 months (1 routine).

Point violations at each routine inspection
Mar 12, 2025: 19Jul 9, 2026: 23192320252026

NYC inspects each restaurant at least once a year. A place scoring 14 or more on an initial inspection gets a second, graded inspection.

Every visit

  1. LatestJul 9, 2026Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection23 points

    This one: 23 points, inspected Jul 9, 2026.

    6 violations listed, 3 marked critical.

    Critical (3)

    • Marked critical by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

      Pests seen inside: fruit flies

      The department's words

      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 items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.

      Food Code 6-501.111

      How can a restaurant or home fix this?

      What to do

      • Any sign of mice, rats or roaches: act now. Protect or throw out affected food, clean the area, and call the pest control operator the same day.
      • Flies or ants in food areas: act within 24 hours.
      • Insects in food: throw that food out and check the stock around it.

      From Food Code 6-501.112

      What NOT to do

      3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide

      Signs of pests and what to do

      The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.

      Fix and log it now

      Are you Dot's Cafe? Fix it

    • Marked critical by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

      Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food

      The department's words

      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 items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.

      Food Code 3-302.11

      How can a restaurant or home fix this?

      Top to bottom

      • 1. Top: ready-to-eat food (salads, desserts, cut fruit, cooked leftovers, deli meat, cheese, drinks)
      • 2. Raw fish and seafood (cooked to 145°F)
      • 3. Whole cuts of beef, pork and lamb; raw shell eggs (145°F)

      From Food Code 3-302.11

      Keep raw meat types apart

      3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide

      Fridge and freezer storage order

      The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.

      Fix and log it now

      Are you Dot's Cafe? Fix it

    • Marked critical by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

      Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right

      The department's words

      06D Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

      Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.

      Food Code 4-602.11

      How can a restaurant or home fix this?

      Clean first, then sanitize

      • 1. Scrape off food.
      • 2. Wash with detergent and warm water.
      • 3. Rinse off the soap (soap weakens sanitizer).

      From Food Code 4-603.16

      When to clean food-contact surfaces

      4 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide

      Cleaning vs sanitizing, and sanitizer strengths

      The full guide has 4 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.

      Fix and log it now

      Are you Dot's Cafe? Fix it

    Not critical (3)

    • Garbage uncovered or not taken out

      The department's words

      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.

      Food Code 5-501.113

      How can a restaurant or home fix this?

      Trash cans

      • Use lidded, leak-proof cans lined with bags. Keep them away from food and clean dishes.
      • Empty them when full and at the end of the day.
      • Wash cans outdoors or at the mop sink, never in a food-prep, dish or hand sink. Rinse, sanitize, air-dry, re-line.
      • Wash your hands after handling trash.

      From Food Code Part 5-5

      Keep two separate sets

      5 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide

      Restrooms, mops and rags

      The full guide has 5 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.

      Fix and log it now

      Are you Dot's Cafe? Fix it

    • No backflow test on file

      The department's words

      10B Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.

      Food Code 5-205.15

      How can a restaurant or home fix this?

      In CleanCleaver: Backflow device test

      Backflow test on file

      In CleanCleaver: Backflow device test

      Fix and log it now

      Are you Dot's Cafe? Fix it

    • Food adulterated or misbranded. Adulterated or misbranded food possessed, being manufactured, produced, packed, sold, offered for sale, delivered or given away

      The department's words

      28-05 Food adulterated or misbranded. Adulterated or misbranded food possessed, being manufactured, produced, packed, sold, offered for sale, delivered or given away

  2. EarlierApr 23, 2025Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection10 points (A)

    3 violations listed, 1 marked critical.

    Critical (1)

    • Marked critical by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

      Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right

      The department's words

      06D Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

      Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.

    Not critical (2)

    • Shelves and surfaces need cleaning

      The department's words

      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.

    • Cups, lids or to-go items stored wrong

      The department's words

      10H Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.

  3. EarlierMar 12, 2025Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection19 points

    4 violations listed, 2 marked critical.

    Critical (2)

    • Marked critical by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

      Cold food above 41°F

      The department's words

      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 items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.

    • Marked critical by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

      Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right

      The department's words

      06D Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

      Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.

    Not critical (2)

    • No backflow test on file

      The department's words

      10B Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.

    • Dish sink or dish machine not set up right

      The department's words

      10G Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.

  4. EarlierMar 20, 2024Pre-permit (Operational) / Initial Inspection24 points

    3 violations listed, 3 marked critical.

    Critical (3)

    • Marked critical by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

      Hot food below 135°F

      The department's words

      02B Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.

      Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.

    • Marked critical by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

      Cold food above 41°F

      The department's words

      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 items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.

    • Marked critical by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

      Food from an unapproved supplier

      The department's words

      03A 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.

      Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.

Source: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. This is the department's data, not CleanCleaver's. See the department's full record (opens the department's site)

What you can do

As a customer of Dot's Cafe, you can:

  1. Learn how these get fixed

    Free, step-by-step guides for each item.

    Open the steps here

  2. Call Dot's Cafe

    Ask for the manager. Dot's Cafe can only fix what it knows about.

    Call Dot's Cafe: (917) 838-9384

  3. Share this page

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  5. Complain directly to the health department

    We are not the health department. You can report to them on their site. Report to New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (opens the department's site)

When regulars speak up kindly and kitchens fix things, the whole neighborhood eats well. Now you know what the inspector found, and what you can do about it.

Do you work at or run Dot's Cafe?

See the plan to fix each item and show what you did.

Address this

About this record

Search for the name on NYC Health's restaurant grades lookup.

Most people don't know what a normal result looks like for a place that's open every day. The ranges use each place's last routine inspection in this area. No other county is mixed in.

Zero points means the inspector found no problems. New York City adds points for each problem. Big ones, the kind most likely to make someone sick, add more.

Inspectors add points for each problem they find. 0 to 13 points is an A, 14 to 27 a B, 28 or more a C.

Listed as
American
Inspection type
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
Result
23 points
Source
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

This is not an official ranking or grade. See the official source: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (opens the department's site) .

Information on this page may be out of date. Check the original source to confirm.

Questions about Dot's Cafe

When was Dot's Cafe last inspected?

The health department last inspected Dot's Cafe on Jul 9, 2026. It was a cycle inspection / initial inspection.

What did the health department find at Dot's Cafe?

The health department listed 6 violations on Jul 9, 2026: Pests seen inside: fruit flies; Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food; and Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right, and 3 more.

How often does New York City inspect restaurants?

NYC inspects each restaurant at least once a year. A place scoring 14 or more on an initial inspection gets a second, graded inspection.

What does a critical item mean?

Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. On Jul 9, 2026, the health department marked 3 as critical.