Dot's Cafe

Name: Dot's Cafe
Address: 515 West 52 Street, NYC, NY, 10019, US
Telephone: (917) 838-9384

515 West 52 Street, Manhattan, NY 10019

Grade A · as of Apr 23, 2025

Dot's Cafe was last inspected on July 9, 2026 and scored 23 points (B range). Inspectors found 6 violations, 3 of them critical, including signs of pests.

Latest inspection

July 9, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

Score: 23 points (B range)

3 critical3 general

Scored in the B range on an initial inspection, so no grade is given yet. A re-inspection follows.

CriticalPests

Flies or other nuisance pests were found.

Official wording (code 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.
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.
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.
GeneralPests

Garbage bins were not pest-proof or not kept covered and clean.

Official wording (code 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.
GeneralOther

Adulterated or mislabeled food was on the premises.

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

Inspection scores over time. Lower is better: 0–13 is an A, 14–27 a B, 28 or more a C.

Inspection history

4 inspections on record

Apr 23, 2025 A 10 points (A range)

Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection
1 critical2 general Show violations
- 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.
- GeneralFacility upkeep
  
  Single-use items (cups, utensils, containers) were missing, reused, or left unprotected.
  
  Official wording (code 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.
- 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.
Mar 12, 2025 19 19 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Mar 20, 2024 24 24 points (B range)

Pre-permit (Operational) · Initial Inspection

Scored in the B range on an initial inspection, so no grade is given yet. A re-inspection follows.
3 critical Show violations
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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How NYC grades restaurants

Inspectors add points for each violation. Lower is better.
0–13 points earns an A. 14–27 is a B. 28 or more is a C.
A restaurant that scores 14 or more on its first inspection gets no grade yet. It is re-inspected about a month later and can display “Grade Pending” in the meantime.

Severity levels

Critical Can directly make someone sick: food temperatures, contamination, pests, hand-washing.
General Cleanliness, maintenance and facility problems.
Paperwork Missing signs, permits or paperwork.

More in Clinton

Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 4 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.