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Poetica Coffee

251 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Café / Breakfast
Last inspected: Aug 19, 2025
67
Score
Medium Risk NYC Grade: A

Poetica Coffee appears in inspection records five times, starting in 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Aug 19, 2025. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.

The latest visit found four violations, down from six violations the time before.

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

That's lower than the typical Brooklyn restaurant, which scores around 77. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

5
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 19, 2025
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
06F
Current letter grade or grade pending card not posted
20-06
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
67
Mar 14, 2025
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
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
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
Current letter grade or grade pending card not posted
20-06
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
55
Apr 11, 2024
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
3 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
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
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
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
58
Oct 30, 2023
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hot tcs food item not held at or above 140 °f.
02B
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
Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink.
09E
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
64
Oct 28, 2022
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
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
95

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Poetica Coffee last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Poetica Coffee on file is from Aug 19, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Poetica Coffee?

Across the inspection record, non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Poetica Coffee.

How does Poetica Coffee compare to other restaurants in Brooklyn?

Poetica Coffee most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Brooklyn average of 77.

Has Poetica Coffee's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Poetica Coffee have turned up fewer violations than earlier ones, with the latest finding around four violations compared to about six previously.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Poetica Coffee 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 Poetica Coffee inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Poetica Coffee is inspected around two times per year on average.

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