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Coffee/Tea · New York City, NY

Lowlife Coffee

55 Porter Avenue

Last inspected Jan 21, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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A Grade

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Repeat problemsSerious findings or closures appear in two or more of the last three inspections. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Pre-permit (Operational) / Re-inspection

Jan 21, 2026

A Grade

Official score: 5 · Understand this area’s scale

1 recorded violation

criticalCode 06DContamination

Official wording

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

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Jan 21, 2026 · Original Source

Pre-permit (Operational) / Initial Inspection

Jul 23, 2025

Violations cited

Official score: 33 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

criticalCode 05HContamination

Official wording

No approved written standard operating procedure for avoiding contamination by refillable returnable containers.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination
minorCode 09EHandwashing

Official wording

Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
minorCode 10BWater, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

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.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Jul 23, 2025 · Original Source

Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection

Jul 23, 2025

Violations cited

1 recorded violation

minorCode 20-08Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Jul 23, 2025 · Original Source

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