The Elk

128 Charles Street, Manhattan, NY 10014

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Sep 19, 2025

Score

Medium Risk NYC Grade: A

Public records show five inspections at The Elk stretching back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Sep 19, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.

Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around two violations across recent inspections versus roughly four violations before.

Across the inspection history, “food contact surface not properly washed” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.

Compared to the broader Manhattan restaurant scene, this is about average. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Sep 19, 2025

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

Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

06D

Mar 31, 2025

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.

View 6 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

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

Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information

20-08

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

Apr 9, 2024

Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

2 critical violations.

View 2 violations

02G

Live animal other than fish in tank or service animal present in facility’s food or non-food area.

04O

Jul 28, 2023

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

6 critical violations. 3 minor violations.

View 9 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

Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

06D

Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with haccp plan.

04H

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

Hot tcs food item that has been cooked and cooled is being held for service without first being reheated to 165º f or above within 2 hours.

02C

Hot tcs food item not held at or above 140 °f.

02B

10F

Dishwashing and ware washing: cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.

10G

Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

08A

Nov 28, 2022

Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.

View 4 violations

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

Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

04L

02G

Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

08A

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Elk last inspected?

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

What is the most common violation at The Elk?

Across the inspection record, “food contact surface not properly washed” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Elk.

How does The Elk compare to other restaurants in Manhattan?

The Elk most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is about the same as the Manhattan average of 77.

Has The Elk's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at The Elk have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at The Elk 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 The Elk inspected?

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

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 70 — Medium Risk

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