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Q&A

Epstein asks for A-grade and violation breakdown by takeout versus sit-down

New York City Council · Oct 19, 2026 · starts 0:58:31 · 1 min 22 sec

Council Member Epstein asks whether the 90% A-grade rate differs between takeout and sit-down restaurants, and whether violations are higher for takeout. Schiff says DOHMH does not have that distinction but will check, and Epstein says his office hears more complaints about takeout establishments and buffets.

Harvey D. Epstein

Hi, good morning, everyone.

Harvey D. Epstein

Thank you for being here.

Harvey D. Epstein

You mentioned that 90% of restaurants have A ratings.

Harvey D. Epstein

Does that break down by restaurants that are takeout or sit-down?

Harvey D. Epstein

Is that a distinction between those A ratings?

Corinne Schiff

We don't have that distinction.

Harvey D. Epstein

Can you get it?

Corinne Schiff

I can look.

Corinne Schiff

I don't know.

Harvey D. Epstein

Okay.

Harvey D. Epstein

It'd be great if you let me know.

Harvey D. Epstein

And just with some of the takeout restaurants, do you have data on how many of the violations you issued?

Harvey D. Epstein

Are they higher percentage of violations for takeout restaurants, for sit-down restaurants?

Corinne Schiff

We can take a look and see if we have that data.

Harvey D. Epstein

Yeah, the reason I'm asking this is because we don't get a lot of complaints about health issues on restaurants unless it's related to a takeout establishment.

Harvey D. Epstein

And we see kind of more, you know, with buffets, food being out, and kind of airborne illness.

Harvey D. Epstein

We're seeing higher percentages of that happening.

Harvey D. Epstein

Is that, you know, it's only anecdotally.

Harvey D. Epstein

I'm wondering what you see internally.

Corinne Schiff

I've not heard that.

Corinne Schiff

I'll have to, I'll check with the team that takes in those complaints to see if they are seeing the same thing.

Corinne Schiff

Of course, the same rules about food safety would apply, whether it's sit down or take out.