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Coffee/Tea · New York City, NY

Zelma's Caffe

2661 Broadway

Last inspected Jun 23, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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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

5 inspections

Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

Jun 23, 2026

Grade pending

Official score: 23 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

criticalCode 04APermits, training, and postings

Official wording

Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
criticalCode 02GFood temperature

Official wording

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.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
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, Jun 23, 2026 · Original Source

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

May 12, 2026

Violations cited

Official score: 19 · Understand this area’s scale

4 recorded violations

criticalCode 04NPests

Official wording

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.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects
minorCode 08APests

Official wording

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

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects
criticalCode 06CContamination

Official wording

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.

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 10FCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, May 12, 2026 · Original Source

Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

Feb 11, 2025

A Grade

Official score: 13 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

criticalCode 04OOther

Official wording

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

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
minorCode 10FCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
criticalCode 06AHandwashing

Official wording

Personal cleanliness is inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn where required. Jewelry worn on hands or arms. Fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed.

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

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Feb 11, 2025 · Original Source

Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection

Jul 11, 2024

Violations cited

1 recorded violation

minorCode 18-12Other

Official wording

Document issued by the Board of Health, Commissioner or Department reproduced or altered. False, untrue or misleading statement or document made to, submitted or filed with the Department

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Jul 11, 2024 · Original Source

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

Jul 11, 2024

Violations cited

Official score: 20 · Understand this area’s scale

4 recorded violations

minorCode 10GCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
criticalCode 04APermits, training, and postings

Official wording

Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
criticalCode 04JFood temperature

Official wording

Properly scaled and calibrated thermometer or thermocouple not provided or not readily accessible in food preparation and hot/cold holding areas to measure temperatures of TCS foods during cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode 28-06Pests

Official wording

Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Jul 11, 2024 · Original Source

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