Cafe 53

1301 Ave Of Th Amer, Manhattan, NY
American
Last inspected: Apr 2, 2025
70
Score
Medium Risk NYC Grade: A

The health department has logged four inspections at Cafe 53, the earliest from 2022. Cafe 53 was last inspected on Apr 2, 2025. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near four violations each time.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F”, showing up three times.

The city-wide average sits at 77, which Cafe 53's 70 doesn't quite reach. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.

4
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 2, 2025
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
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.
06C
Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
06F
Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
09C
70
Mar 28, 2024
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
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.
06C
Hot tcs food item not held at or above 140 °f.
02B
74
May 26, 2023
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
4 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
04L
Hot tcs food item not held at or above 140 °f.
02B
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
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.
04N
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.
10B
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
50
Apr 18, 2022
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Hot food item not held at or above 140º f.
02B
Pesticide use not in accordance with label or applicable laws. prohibited chemical used/stored. open bait station used.
08C
Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. unacceptable material used. non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained and/or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
10F
78

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Cafe 53 last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Cafe 53 on file is from Apr 2, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Cafe 53?

Across the inspection record, “hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Cafe 53.

How does Cafe 53 compare to other restaurants in Manhattan?

Cafe 53 most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Manhattan average of 77.

Has Cafe 53's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cafe 53 have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Cafe 53 means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is Cafe 53 inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Cafe 53 is inspected roughly once per year on average.