It seems you only get what you put in.
Around a dozen popular spots in New York City are attracting fast food lovers, albeit while concealing their less-than-stellar B and C letter grades.
Restaurants like Serafina and Soho Citizens have received lower ratings due to issues with pests and hygiene, yet they manage to bring in customers by displaying outdated signs that read “grade pending.”
Take the upscale Dante Outpost. They’ve been sitting on a B rating since March 2024, which came with five health violations related to rodents and flies. As of Thursday, passersby still see their “pending grade” signs.
“Honestly, I might not have noticed,” said Rebecca, 24, who had just dined at Cafe Dante. She mentioned she was likely to return, but admitted, “I think they should be more transparent. It feels misleading.”
Responses varied among New Yorkers regarding how they would handle dining there again; some didn’t respond to inquiries about the ratings. One diner, Adam, 29, expressed his thoughts candidly: “Rats shouldn’t be anywhere near food unless, of course, it’s for a cute animated movie. I’m just looking for places with an A rating.”
The city mandates that all eateries prominently display their grades in bold signs, making it clear to those passing by, but reports suggest some aren’t complying.
Soho Citizens, for instance, a popular spot with Australian-style cuisine, displays a “pending grades” sign, despite the health department’s classification showing it has not met standards. In July, inspectors found rodent activity and other hygiene issues still prevalent.
One customer shared, “The food was decent, so honestly, I’m not too concerned.” This particular brunch spot represents just a fraction of Manhattan’s roughly 200 establishments that currently bear a C rating. On the upside, over 8,000 venues have snagged an A rating, with around 600 sitting at a B.
After a recent health visit, Aria Wine Bar managed to switch from “pending grade” to a B rating. Their officials say they are awaiting further inspection results, similar to the situation at Figaro in West Village, which is also facing scrutiny.
Interestingly, the spotlight’s been on places like Carbone, which has maintained a B rating since at least 2023. In terms of violations, La Bonbonniere received a C last month, citing various hygiene issues including cockroaches and unsafe food handling practices.
Then there’s Mr. Purple, a rooftop lounge in the Lower East Side known for its burgers and steaks, which has recently operated under a lack of transparency regarding its B rating. When asked about the restaurant’s health rating, one customer shrugged, “Honestly, I mainly come here for drinks.”
Another local, Zach, admitted he should probably check the ratings more closely, saying, “To be honest, I ought to, but I just don’t.”
