The Muffin Cafe
222 Columbus Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10023
Bakery Products/Desserts Lincoln Square (212) 875-1173
Grade A · as of May 8, 2026
The Muffin Cafe was last inspected on May 8, 2026 and scored 7 points (A range). Inspectors found 5 violations, 1 of them critical, including signs of pests.
Latest inspection
May 8, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection
Score: 7 points (A range)
1 critical4 general-
CriticalFood temperature
Hot food was being held below 140°F, where bacteria can grow.
Official wording (code 02B)
Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
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GeneralPests
The building wasn’t pest-proofed: gaps, holes, or clutter that let rodents or insects in or give them shelter.
Official wording (code 08A)
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing was missing protection against backflow, or floors didn’t drain properly.
Official wording (code 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.
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Non-food surfaces or equipment were poorly built or maintained.
Official wording (code 10G)
Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
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GeneralFood handling
Food-contact surfaces were in poor repair.
Official wording (code 09C)
Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
Inspection history
8 inspections on record
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Administrative Miscellaneous · Initial Inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)
3 paperwork Show violations
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PaperworkSigns & paperwork
Letter grade or Grade Pending card not visible from the street.
Official wording (code 20-05)
Current letter grade or "Grade Pending" card not conspicuously posted or visible to passersby
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PaperworkSigns & paperwork
Providing single-use, non-compostable plastic straws to customers without customer request (including providing such straws at a self-serve station)
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PaperworkSigns & paperwork
Required healthy-eating information wasn’t posted.
Official wording (code 20-08)
Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information
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40 40 points (C range)
Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection
Scored in the C range on an initial inspection, so no grade is given yet. A re-inspection follows.
5 critical2 general Show violations
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Wiping cloths were dirty or not kept in sanitizing solution.
Official wording (code 06F)
Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
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CriticalFood source
Food came from an unapproved or unknown source (for example, home-prepared).
Official wording (code 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.
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Food or supplies weren’t protected from contamination during storage, prep, or service.
Official wording (code 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.
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CriticalFood temperature
Cold food was kept warmer than 41°F, where bacteria can grow.
Official wording (code 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.
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CriticalFood temperature
Hot food was being held below 140°F, where bacteria can grow.
Official wording (code 02B)
Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing was missing protection against backflow, or floors didn’t drain properly.
Official wording (code 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.
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GeneralFood handling
Food-contact surfaces were in poor repair.
Official wording (code 09C)
Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
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Smoke-Free Air Act · Initial Inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)
1 paperwork Show violations
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PaperworkSmoke-free rules
Sign prohibiting smoking or using electronic cigarettes not conspicuously posted.
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Trans Fat · Initial Inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)
1 paperwork Show violations
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PaperworkNutrition labeling
The original nutrition fact labels or ingredient label for a cooking oil, shortening or margarine or food item sold in bulk, or acceptable manufacturer’s documentation not maintained on site.
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C 30 points (C range)
Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection
3 critical3 general Show violations
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CriticalFood source
Food came from an unapproved or unknown source (for example, home-prepared).
Official wording (code 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.
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CriticalPests
Mice, or signs of mice, were found.
Official wording (code 04L)
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
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CriticalFood temperature
Cold food was kept warmer than 41°F, where bacteria can grow.
Official wording (code 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.
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GeneralPests
The building wasn’t pest-proofed: gaps, holes, or clutter that let rodents or insects in or give them shelter.
Official wording (code 08A)
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Non-food surfaces or equipment were dirty, damaged, or made of unsuitable material.
Official wording (code 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.
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing was missing protection against backflow, or floors didn’t drain properly.
Official wording (code 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.
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21 21 points (B range)
Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection
Scored in the B range on an initial inspection, so no grade is given yet. A re-inspection follows.
2 critical2 general Show violations
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CriticalPests
Mice, or signs of mice, were found.
Official wording (code 04L)
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
-
CriticalFood temperature
Cold food was kept warmer than 41°F, where bacteria can grow.
Official wording (code 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.
-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing was missing protection against backflow, or floors didn’t drain properly.
Official wording (code 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.
-
GeneralPests
Pesticides were used or stored improperly, or open bait was used.
Official wording (code 08C)
Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
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A 9 points (A range)
Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection
1 critical1 general Show violations
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CriticalPests
Mice, or signs of mice, were found.
Official wording (code 04L)
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
-
GeneralPests
The building wasn’t pest-proofed: gaps, holes, or clutter that let rodents or insects in or give them shelter.
Official wording (code 08A)
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
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More in Lincoln Square
Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 6 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.