The Chai Spot

156 Mott Street, Manhattan, NY 10013

Failed re-check · Oct 22, 2026 Directions
69
Poor BiteKarma score 69 out of 100
How the BiteKarma score works

Each routine inspection starts at 100 and loses 7 points for every critical violation and 2 for every other one, half again as much when the same problem was cited at one of the two inspections before. A failed inspection counts as 69 at most. The score averages the five newest routine inspections, with the most recent counting most, and stays below 70 for 90 days after a fail unless the restaurant passes again. 90 and up is excellent, 80s good, 70s fair, and below 70 poor.

At a glance

  • Passed 3 of 5 graded inspections since 2022.
  • Keeps coming up: 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, cited 3 times, plus 4 other repeat issues.
  • Last inspected Oct 22, 2026: failed with 6 violations, 2 critical.
  • 8 critical violations in the last two years.

Inspection history 5 visits

  1. 2026
  2. Failed Oct 22

    Cycle Inspection

    6 violations, 2 critical
    • Critical 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
    • Critical 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
    • Minor Garbage receptacle not pest or water resistant, with tight-fitting lids, and covered except while in active use. Garbage receptacle and cover not cleaned after emptying and prior to reuse. Garbage, refuse and other solid and liquid waste not collected, stored, removed and disposed of so as to prevent a nuisance
    • Minor Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests
    • Minor Dishwashing and warewashing: cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient
    • Minor 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
  3. 2025
  4. Passed Apr 3

    Cycle Inspection

    5 violations
    • Minor Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment
    • Minor Wash hands sign not posted near or above handwashing sink
    • Minor 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
    • Minor Dishwashing and warewashing: cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient
    • Minor Nonfood-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
  5. Failed Mar 10

    Cycle Inspection

    8 violations, 6 critical
    • Critical 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
    • Critical 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
    • Critical 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
    • Critical Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan
    • Critical 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
    • Critical Food-contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred
    • Minor Nonfood-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
    • Minor Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests
  6. 2024
  7. Passed Feb 2

    Cycle Inspection

    3 violations, 1 critical
    • Critical 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
    • Minor Nonfood-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
    • Minor Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests

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BiteKarma scores around The Chai Spot, which is the dark pin. Zoom in to see the dots' scores, and tap a pin marked + to see everything at that address.

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