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Empire Soul Food Restaurant

547 Lenox Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10037
American
Last inspected: Oct 14, 2025
82
Score
Low Risk NYC Grade: A

Across the available record, Empire Soul Food Restaurant has four inspections on file, the first dated 2025. The latest inspection on file is from Oct 14, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

The latest visit found two violations, down from three violations the time before.

Across the inspection history, no hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Manhattan restaurant scores 77. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

4
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 14, 2025
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. no hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. no soap or acceptable hand-drying device.
05D
Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
09C
82
Apr 10, 2025
Pre-permit (Non-operational) / Compliance Inspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
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
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.
10F
90
Mar 31, 2025
Pre-permit (Non-operational) / Re-inspection
3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
No approved written standard operating procedure for avoiding contamination by refillable returnable containers.
05H
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
Harmful noxious gas or vapor detected. carbon monoxide (co) level exceeds nine (9) ppm
05B
Mechanical or natural ventilation not provided, inadequate, improperly installed, in disrepair or fails to prevent and control excessive build-up of grease, heat, steam condensation, vapors, odors, smoke or fumes.
10D
61
Mar 18, 2025
Pre-permit (Non-operational) / Initial Inspection
5 critical violations.
View 5 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
Insufficient or no hot holding, cold storage or cold holding equipment provided to maintain time/temperature control for safety foods (tcs) at required temperatures
05F
Harmful noxious gas or vapor detected. carbon monoxide (co) level exceeds nine (9) ppm
05B
No approved written standard operating procedure for avoiding contamination by refillable returnable containers.
05H
No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. no hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. no soap or acceptable hand-drying device.
05D
47

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Empire Soul Food Restaurant last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Empire Soul Food Restaurant on file is from Oct 14, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Empire Soul Food Restaurant?

Across the inspection record, no hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Empire Soul Food Restaurant.

How does Empire Soul Food Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Manhattan?

Empire Soul Food Restaurant most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is higher than the Manhattan average of 77.

Has Empire Soul Food Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Empire Soul Food Restaurant have turned up fewer violations than earlier ones, with the latest finding around two violations compared to about three previously.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Empire Soul Food Restaurant means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

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