Melba's
300 West 114 Street, Manhattan, NY 10026
American Central Harlem South (212) 864-7777
Grade Pending · as of Oct 30, 2026
Melba's was last inspected on October 30, 2026 and scored 49 points (C range). Inspectors found 11 violations, 6 of them critical, including signs of pests.
Latest inspection
October 30, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection
Score: 49 points (C range)
6 critical5 general-
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 handling
Sewage or wastewater contaminated a food or work area.
Official wording (code 04F)
Food preparation area, food storage area, or other area used by employees or patrons, contaminated by sewage or liquid waste.
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Someone was eating, drinking, or smoking in a food prep or dishwashing area.
Official wording (code 06B)
Tobacco or electronic cigarette use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area.
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Surfaces that touch food weren’t properly washed and sanitized.
Official wording (code 06D)
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
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CriticalPests
Rats, or signs of rats, were found.
Official wording (code 04K)
Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Workers’ personal hygiene was inadequate (dirty clothing, no hair restraint, jewelry).
Official wording (code 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.
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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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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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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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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.
Inspection history
5 inspections on record
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22 22 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.
1 critical4 general Show violations
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CriticalPests
Rats, or signs of rats, were found.
Official wording (code 04K)
Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
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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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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
Fridges or hot-holding units lacked an accurate thermometer.
Official wording (code 10E)
Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment
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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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Administrative Miscellaneous · Initial Inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)
1 paperwork Show violations
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PaperworkSigns & paperwork
Required choking first-aid or alcohol-and-pregnancy signs (or resuscitation masks) were missing.
Official wording (code 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.
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42 42 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.
6 critical1 general Show violations
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CriticalFood handling
No one supervising the kitchen held a Food Protection Certificate.
Official wording (code 04A)
Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
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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.
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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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CriticalPests
Rats, or signs of rats, were found.
Official wording (code 04K)
Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
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CriticalFood temperature
Cooked food wasn’t cooled down quickly enough.
Official wording (code 02H)
After cooking or removal from hot holding, TCS food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal temperature is reduced from 140 °F to 70 °F or less within 2 hours, and from 70 °F to 41 °F or less within 4 additional hours.
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CriticalPests
Live roaches were found.
Official wording (code 04M)
Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
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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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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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More in Central Harlem South
Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 6 days ago. Always confirm with the official record.