Mee Sum Cafe

26 Pell Street, Manhattan, NY 10013
Café / Breakfast
Last inspected: Aug 8, 2025
74
Score
Medium Risk NYC Grade: A

The health department has logged 12 inspections at Mee Sum Cafe, the earliest from 2022. The most recent report on file is from Aug 8, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near five violations per visit.

When inspectors have written things up, “non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material” has been the most frequent reason, cited eight times.

Mee Sum Cafe scores about where you'd expect for a Manhattan restaurant. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

12
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 8, 2025
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 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
Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
09C
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
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
74
May 5, 2025
Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection
No violations found.
100
Apr 1, 2025
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
7 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 11 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
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
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
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.
02G
Hot tcs food item not held at or above 140 °f.
02B
Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
04M
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
04L
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
Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
08C
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
29
Jan 13, 2025
Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Current letter grade or grade pending card not posted
20-06
95
Dec 18, 2024
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
7 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with haccp plan.
04H
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
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
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.
02G
Food protection certificate (fpc) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
04A
Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
04M
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
08C
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
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
29
Oct 1, 2024
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
4 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
06F
Hot tcs food item not held at or above 140 °f.
02B
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.
02G
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
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
52
Aug 14, 2024
Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection
No violations found.
100
Apr 1, 2024
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food protection certificate (fpc) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
04A
Hot tcs food item not held at or above 140 °f.
02B
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.
02G
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.
10H
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
Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink.
09E
55
Dec 13, 2023
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
4 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
04L
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.
02G
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
Food protection certificate (fpc) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
04A
Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
09C
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
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
47
Jun 20, 2023
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
6 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 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
Food protection certificate (fpc) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
04A
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
04L
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.
02G
Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
04M
Thawing procedure improper.
09B
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
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
Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
08C
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
32
Apr 14, 2023
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
4 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Tcs food removed from cold holding or prepared from or combined with ingredients at room temperature not cooled by an approved method to 41 °f or below within 4 hours.
02I
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.
02G
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
Food protection certificate (fpc) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
04A
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
50
Sep 30, 2022
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
7 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Tcs food removed from cold holding or prepared from or combined with ingredients at room temperature not cooled by an approved method to 41 °f or below within 4 hours.
02I
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
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.
02G
Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
06F
Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
06C
Hot tcs food item not held at or above 140 °f.
02B
Food protection certificate (fpc) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
04A
Lighting fixture located over, by or within food storage, preparation, service or display facility, and facility where utensils and equipment are cleaned and stored, which may shatter due to extreme heat, temperature changes or accidental contact; not fitted with shatterproof bulb or shielded and encased, with end caps or other device.
28-03
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
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
30

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Mee Sum Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Mee Sum Cafe on file is from Aug 8, 2025. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Mee Sum Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Mee Sum Cafe.

How does Mee Sum Cafe compare to other restaurants in Manhattan?

Mee Sum Cafe most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is about the same as the Manhattan average of 77.

Has Mee Sum Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Mee Sum Cafe have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Mee Sum Cafe 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 Mee Sum Cafe inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Mee Sum Cafe is inspected around four times per year on average.