NYC Restaurant Health Inspection Consulting | OATH Hearing Representation

About Us

Grade A Rescue team - former NYC Health Department inspectors providing restaurant compliance consulting

We used to be the ones with the clipboard. Now we use everything we learned to protect your restaurant, your revenue, and your reputation.

Our team includes former NYC Health Department inspectors and industry professionals who have spent decades inside this process. We serve all five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. We've helped hundreds of restaurants recover from B and C grades, beat unfair violations at OATH hearings, and build compliance systems that keep the A on the door permanently.

When you've spent years doing inspections, you stop guessing. You know exactly what gets flagged, what gets missed, and what actually matters. That's what we bring to every client.

We don't just prepare you. We can represent you. When the hearing comes, we're in that room with you. Not on the phone, not sending paperwork. There.

We built this company because we saw too many good restaurants lose their A over things that could have been prevented. That still drives everything we do.

NYC Restaurant Grading System: That Letter on Your Door Is Worth More Than Any Ad Campaign

Since 2010, that letter in your window has changed everything about how New Yorkers choose where to eat. People see your grade before they see your menu. Before they read your reviews. Before they even walk in.

A B doesn’t just hurt your pride. It hurts your revenue every single day it’s up there.

Even a temporary B can change the habits of customers who walk by your door every day.
People look up grades before they decide where to eat. That window is your first impression and you don't get a second one.
In this city, an A isn't a bonus. It's the price of staying in business.
An A brings people in. Anything less sends them down the block to your competitor.

You didn't open a restaurant in New York City to lose customers over a letter. Let's make sure you never do.

Get Your Free Assessment — Call Now

Everything in one place, so nothing slips through the cracks.

Your client portal gives you direct access to your violation history, corrective action plans, hearing documents, and compliance status. All in one place. No chasing emails. No wondering where things stand.

Grade A Rescue client portal for restaurant compliance tracking

See everything

Your full compliance history, open cases, and submitted documents all visible from your phone or laptop, any time you need them.

We move fast

When you have a violation notice or a hearing date, every hour counts. We don't make you wait.

Transparency

You'll always know what's been submitted, what's in progress, and what happens next. No surprises.

Expert Support

Real people, former inspectors and compliance specialists, available at every step from your first mock inspection to your hearing.

Upload your documents and violations directly through your portal. We review everything and come back to you with a clear plan. No back and forth, no confusion.

Start Your Free Consultation

Our Services

We don't send reports from a desk. We come to your restaurant, walk your kitchen, meet your team, and figure out exactly what needs to change — before the inspector does. Every hour you wait with an open violation costs you money. We move fast so you don't have to.

NYC restaurant mock health inspection service by Grade A Rescue

Mock Inspections

We walk your kitchen the same way the DOH inspector will — because we used to be that inspector. We find every violation before the city does, saving you thousands in fines and protecting your A grade.

Staff Training

80% of repeat violations come from untrained staff. We train your team on the exact health code standards the DOH enforces — so the same violation never shows up twice.

OATH Hearing Representation

Facing an OATH hearing? We've sat on both sides of that table. We represent you in front of hearing officers, challenge incorrectly assessed violations, and fight to reduce your points. Most clients walk out with significantly lower scores.

Digital Client Portal

Track your violations, hearing dates, corrective action plans, and compliance status 24/7. No more chasing emails or wondering where your case stands. Everything in one secure dashboard.

Every Day Without an A Costs You Customers and Revenue

A B grade on your door costs you an estimated 20-30% in foot traffic. A C can shut you down. That letter does more for your business than any ad campaign ever will. We make sure it stays an A — before the inspector shows up, during the OATH hearing, and whenever things go sideways.

Secure Your A Grade — Call Now

NYC restaurant owner protecting A grade with Grade A Rescue

We had a hearing scheduled with 52 violation points on the table. Grade A Rescue reviewed every citation, challenged three that were incorrectly assessed, and walked us through the entire process. We left with 19 points. Our grade stayed at A.

— Michael R., Restaurant Owner · Brooklyn

We were shut down on a Thursday. Grade A Rescue had a plan in place within hours. We were back open in two business days. When every day closed costs you thousands, that speed is everything.

— Sandra L., Owner · Manhattan

For three straight inspections we kept getting flagged on the same violations. Grade A Rescue came in, found the actual root cause — a training gap we hadn’t caught — fixed it, and our next inspection came back clean. Two in a row now.

— James T., General Manager · Queens

I was skeptical at first. But they walked into my kitchen and identified issues in 20 minutes that I had completely missed. Their mock inspection is worth every dollar — it’s exactly what the real inspector looks for.

— David K., Owner · The Bronx

What sets them apart is that they have been on the other side. They do not guess what the inspector will look for — they know. That knowledge is the difference between a B and an A.

— Patricia M., Managing Partner · Manhattan

Grade A Rescue does not just fix the problem in front of you. They build the system that stops it from coming back. We have not had a critical violation in over a year.

— Robert C., Multi-Unit Operator · Brooklyn & Queens

Llevábamos tres inspecciones consecutivas con la misma violación. Grade A Rescue encontró el problema real en una sola visita — algo que ningún otro consultor había detectado. La siguiente inspección: calificación A.

— Carlos M., Propietario · Queens

Tenía una audiencia en dos semanas y no sabía por dónde empezar. Me explicaron cada paso, prepararon toda la documentación y me representaron. Los puntos bajaron considerablemente. Conservé mi calificación A.

— José A., Dueño · Staten Island

Nos cerraron un viernes. El lunes ya estábamos abiertos de nuevo. Grade A Rescue se movió rápido, con un plan claro desde el primer momento. No podría haberlo hecho sin ellos.

— María G., Propietaria · The Bronx

Después de 10 años en este negocio, pensé que lo sabía todo. Grade A Rescue me mostró problemas que yo ni veía. Su nivel de detalle y conocimiento del sistema de inspecciones de NYC no tiene comparación.

— Ricardo P., Operador · Manhattan

我们的餐厅在一次突击检查后被迫关闭。Grade A Rescue团队当天就介入，帮助我们制定了整改方案，并全程代理了重新开业申请。两个工作日后，我们重新开门营业。

— 陈 W., 老板 · 曼哈顿

他们的团队曾经在卫生局工作过，深知检查员的检查重点。这种内部知识是无价的。我们从C级直接升到了A级，只用了一个检查周期。

— 刘 M., 餐厅经理 · 皇后区

听证会前，我非常紧张。Grade A Rescue的团队帮我准备了所有文件，清楚地解释了整个流程，并在听证会上为我发言。最终违规点数大幅降低，成功保住了A级评级。

— 张 L., 老板 · 布鲁克林

हमारे रेस्तरां में बार-बार एक ही उल्लंघन हो रहा था। Grade A Rescue ने एक बार में असली समस्या पकड़ ली — एक ट्रेनिंग की कमी जो हमें दिख ही नहीं रही थी। उनके बाद से हमारी दो लगातार क्लीन इंस्पेक्शन हुई हैं।

— Rajesh P., मालिक · Queens

जब इंस्पेक्टर आया, तो मुझे नहीं पता था क्या होगा। Grade A Rescue ने मुझे पूरी प्रक्रिया समझाई, सही दस्तावेज़ तैयार किए और मेरे साथ हर कदम पर रहे। मेरा A ग्रेड बना रहा।

— Anita S., Owner · The Bronx

Мы работали с другими консультантами раньше, но никто не подходил к делу так серьёзно, как Grade A Rescue. Они знают систему изнутри — потому что сами были частью этой системы. Это разница, которую сразу чувствуешь.

— Александр В., Владелец · Brooklyn

Наш ресторан закрыли в пятницу вечером. В понедельник мы уже снова работали. У Grade A Rescue был чёткий план с первого звонка. Профессионализм на высшем уровне.

— Наталья К., Управляющий · Manhattan

Η ομάδα της Grade A Rescue δεν λύνει απλώς το πρόβλημα μπροστά σου. Δημιουργεί το σύστημα που εμποδίζει να επιστρέψει. Ένας χρόνος χωρίς κρίσιμες παραβάσεις.

— Νίκος Π., Ιδιοκτήτης · Queens

Grade A Rescueのチームは、私たちがどこで問題を起こしているのかを、一度の模擬検査で正確に特定しました。彼らの忍耐力とプロ意識は際立っていました。次の公式検査では、違反点数が大幅に減少しました。

— 田中 H., オーナー · Manhattan

Frequently Asked Questions

Got a pending grade? Surprise inspection? OATH hearing notice? Don't panic.
Our FAQ covers everything from violations to appeals — with the same straight talk we give every client.

Grade A Rescue is a restaurant compliance and rescue firm built specifically for New York City. Our team includes former NYC Health Department inspectors and legal representatives with over 25 years of combined experience. We handle mock inspections, hearing representation, shutdown response, reopening support, corrective action plans, and staff training across all five boroughs.

Call us immediately at (212) 470-9909. Time is critical. A pending grade means you have a hearing coming, and the preparation you do right now determines whether you keep your A or lose it. We've handled hundreds of these cases — we know exactly what documentation to prepare, what violations to challenge, and how to present your case to the hearing officer. The sooner you call, the more options we have.

We offer four core services, each designed to save you money and protect your grade: Mock Inspections (we find every violation before the city does), OATH Hearing Representation (we fight to reduce your violation points and save your A), Staff Training (we stop repeat violations at the source), and Shutdown Recovery (we get you back open as fast as legally possible). Most clients see results within one inspection cycle.

In NYC, non-compliance doesn't just risk a fine — it risks your entire business. A single failed inspection can drop you to a B or C grade, which studies show reduces foot traffic by 20-30%. Fines can reach $2,000+ per violation. And in the worst case, the DOH can shut you down on the spot. The cost of compliance consulting is a fraction of what a single bad inspection costs you in lost revenue, fines, and reputation damage.

Yes — and speed is everything. Every day your doors are closed, you're losing thousands in revenue. We've reopened restaurants in as little as two business days. We immediately assess what triggered the shutdown, create a corrective action plan, coordinate with the DOH, and handle all the paperwork so you can focus on getting your kitchen ready. Call us the moment it happens — don't wait.

We recommend at least once per quarter — but the timing matters more than the frequency. Schedule one 2-3 weeks before your expected re-inspection cycle. That gives you enough time to fix any issues we find. Many of our long-term clients also schedule one immediately after any staff changes, since new hires are the #1 source of repeat violations.

We conduct the exact same inspection the DOH does — because our team used to perform those inspections. We walk every inch of your kitchen, check temperatures, storage, labeling, pest evidence, handwashing stations, and all critical control points. You get a detailed report with every violation we found, prioritized by severity, with clear instructions on how to fix each one before the real inspector arrives.

That's the whole point — you want to fail with us, not with the DOH. There are zero consequences for failing a mock inspection. We immediately create a corrective action plan, prioritize the highest-risk violations, and if needed, schedule staff training on the spot. Think of it as a dress rehearsal that saves you from a real disaster.

No, our services are currently exclusively available in New York City (NYC), where we specialize in assisting restaurants with compliance and related matters.

The duration of staff training may vary depending on your restaurant's specific needs. We offer customized training programs to fit your schedule.

Yes. We provide full representation at OATH (Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings) for all health-related violations. We review every citation on your inspection report, identify which ones were incorrectly assessed or can be challenged, prepare all documentation, and argue your case in front of the hearing officer. Many of our clients walk out with significantly reduced violation points — often enough to save their A grade.

Yes, we take data security seriously. Your information is encrypted and protected to ensure confidentiality.

You can log in to our online platform to access your compliance records and receive updates on your progress.

While we primarily focus on compliance, we can provide guidance and information on obtaining the necessary permits and licenses.

Most of our clients get their A back within one inspection cycle. But every situation is different, and we'll be straight with you from the start about what we're working with. We don't make promises we can't keep. What we bring is 25 years of real experience on both sides of this process, and we use every bit of it for you.

When you receive a hearing notice, call us immediately. Here's what happens: First, we review your full inspection report line by line and identify every violation that can be challenged or dismissed. Then we prepare your documentation package — photos, corrective actions taken, maintenance records, and anything that supports your case. On hearing day, we represent you in front of the OATH hearing officer, present your evidence, and argue for reduced violation points. You don't need to say a word unless you want to. Most clients see their points reduced significantly, often enough to keep or restore their A grade.

We move fast because we know the stakes. For emergencies — shutdowns, imminent hearings, or surprise re-inspections — we can often mobilize within 24 hours. For mock inspections and ongoing consulting, we typically schedule within a few days. The sooner you call, the more time we have to prepare. Don't wait until the night before your hearing — call us at (212) 470-9909 the moment you get the notice.

Yes — your first consultation is always free. We'll review your situation, explain your options, and give you an honest assessment of what we can do for you. No pressure, no obligation. Our service fees depend on the scope of work (mock inspection, hearing representation, ongoing compliance, etc.), but consider this: a single DOH fine can cost $2,000+, and a B grade can cost you 20-30% of your daily revenue. Our services typically pay for themselves many times over. Call us at (212) 470-9909 or sign up through our portal to get started.

Contact Us

Don’t wait until the inspector is at your door. The best time to call is before you need us. The second best time is right now.

Your First Consultation Is Free.

Your reputation took years to build. One bad inspection can undo it overnight.
Call us now — we've been on both sides of this process, and we know exactly how to protect you.

Location:

17 State Street, 40th Floor, Manhattan, NY 10004
New York City

Email:

contact@gradearescue.com

Call:

+1 212.470.9909

Call:

NYC Restaurant Health Inspection Consulting — Grade A Rescue

Protect Your Restaurant from DOH Fines, Shutdowns, and Lost Revenue. We make sure that letter is always an A.

Facing an OATH Hearing? We've been on both sides of that table.