A

Chen's Express Kitchen

223 East 14 Street, Manhattan, NY 10003

Chinese Gramercy (212) 982-8966

Grade A · as of Mar 26, 2024

Chen's Express Kitchen was last inspected on September 22, 2026 and scored 23 points (B range). Inspectors found 4 violations, 3 of them critical.

Latest inspection

September 22, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

23

Score: 23 points (B range)

3 critical1 general

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

    Clean utensils or equipment were stored or handled in a way that could contaminate them.

    Official wording (code 06E)

    Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.

  • 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.

ABFeb 12, 2024: 4424/02Mar 26, 2024: 131324/03Jul 21, 2025: 212125/07Sep 22, 2026: 232326/09
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

  1. 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 critical3 general Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Clean utensils or equipment were stored or handled in a way that could contaminate them.

      Official wording (code 06E)

      Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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

      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.

  2. A 13 points (A range)

    Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

    1 critical2 general Show violations
    • 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

      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.

    • 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.

  3. 4 4 points (A range)

    Pre-permit (Operational) · Initial Inspection

    1 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • 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.

    • PaperworkFood handling

      No “wash hands” sign at the hand sink.

      Official wording (code 09E)

      Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink.

More in Gramercy

Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 6 weeks ago. Always confirm with the official record.