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.

Restaurant staff training for NYC health code compliance

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 for NYC restaurant health violations

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 for restaurant compliance management

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 Money. A Lot of It.

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.

Keep 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


Three inspections in a row, same violations. Grade A Rescue found the real problem in one visit: a training gap we completely missed. Next inspection was clean. Then the one after that.

— 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. 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. Your data is encrypted end-to-end. We don't share it, we don't sell it, and we don't let anyone see it except the DOH when required by law. That's it.

Log into your client portal anytime to see your full compliance history, open cases, submitted documents, and next steps. No waiting for emails. No mystery.

Our main focus is keeping your A grade. For permits and licenses, we know the right people and can point you to the right specialists. One less headache.

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.
 

Grade A Rescue does not guarantee specific outcomes. Results vary based on individual circumstances, inspector findings, and compliance history. Testimonials represent specific client experiences and are not typical of all clients. Past performance does not guarantee future results. We are consultants and licensed representatives, not legal attorneys; for formal legal counsel, consult a qualified attorney.

Our Team

Meet Our
Compliance
Specialists

Our Compliance Specialists aren't salespeople. They're not here to pitch. They're here because they've lived the restaurant industry from the inside, and they know exactly what it takes to keep your business safe.

A Compliance Specialist speaks the language of inspectors. They know which violations matter, which ones are negotiable, and how to fight for you when things go wrong. They don't panic. They don't guess. They solve it.

Each one of our specialists comes from a different corner of the industry. Former chefs, bartenders, restaurant owners, food service professionals. They have stood where you stand. They have felt the pressure you feel. And they have turned that experience into the expertise that gets your Grade A back and keeps it there.

This is not about selling you something. This is about having the right person in your corner. Someone who speaks your language, knows the system inside and out, and fights for your restaurant like it is their own.

The Specialists
Anthony Collins, Grade A Rescue Compliance Specialist
28+ Years · Chef
Serving all 5 boroughs
“

Anthony Collins

Compliance Specialist ·

Anthony grew up in his father's kitchen in Oregon, a Mexican chef who treated cooking like a sacred craft. By the time he could read, he already knew what a properly reduced sauce looked like. He worked every kind of restaurant you can imagine, from roadside diners to fine dining spots in Portland. By 24 he earned the title of Chef, not because of a diploma, but because no kitchen ran right without him in charge.

He spent nearly three decades living the reality of a commercial kitchen from the inside. The inspections, the deadlines, the pressure of keeping everything spotless when the dining room is packed and the inspector walks through the door. Tony knows what it feels like to have sweat running down your back while someone with a clipboard is evaluating every corner of your establishment.

In 2019, at 52 years old, he brought all of that experience to Grade A Rescue. Tony doesn't talk about compliance like someone who read a manual. He talks like someone who has scrubbed a hood vent at two in the morning, reorganized an entire walk-in cooler on a Friday night, and saved a kitchen from a critical violation with 20 minutes to spare. For him, keeping your Grade A is about respect. For your customers, your team, and your food.

Kitchen Operations Hood & Equipment Critical Violations
Speak with Anthony
Sofia Orlova, Grade A Rescue Compliance Specialist
10+ Years · Front of House
Serving all 5 boroughs
“

Sofia Orlova

Compliance Specialist ·

Sofia grew up hearing Russian at home and English on the street, the daughter of immigrants who came from Saint Petersburg with two suitcases and the belief that hard work can fix anything. She carried that mindset behind a bar counter at 19 and never left the food and beverage industry.

For over a decade as a bartender in high volume restaurants and lounges, Sofia learned something most people overlook. The bar is where the customer sees everything. She watched closely when ice was stored the wrong way, when a cooler's temperature fluctuated, when a cleaning procedure got skipped because the shift was too hectic. She knew exactly which shortcuts the staff was taking and which of those shortcuts cost points on an inspection.

It was that perspective, from someone who lived the front of house and not just the kitchen, that brought her to Grade A Rescue. Sofia combines years of trained observation from the floor with sharp technical knowledge of health regulations. She understands the real pressure of a packed service and knows that compliance does not work if it only exists on paper.

Bar & FOH Compliance Temperature Controls Cleaning Protocols
Speak with Sofia
Teddy Ashford, Grade A Rescue Compliance Specialist
Regulations & Permits
Serving all 5 boroughs
“

Teddy Ashford

Compliance Specialist ·

Teddy is from Florida. Born and raised under the sun of a state where restaurants open and close as fast as a tropical storm rolls in. He grew up around his father's establishments, who spent years in food service management, and early on he understood that a restaurant does not survive on good food alone. It survives on systems, on process, on consistency.

While many of his peers chased the more glamorous sides of the industry, Teddy was drawn to what happens behind the scenes. The permits, the codes, the regulations that nobody wants to read but that ultimately decide whether a restaurant stays open or shuts its doors. He studied health and food safety regulations with the same discipline others dedicate to perfecting recipes.

At Grade A Rescue, Teddy is the Compliance Specialist who turns panic into a plan of action. Methodical, straightforward, and with a rare patience for explaining what each violation actually means in practice. No unnecessary jargon. No false alarms. For Teddy, every restaurant that gets its Grade A back is proof that the right guidance can overcome any situation.

Permits & Licensing Code Interpretation Violation Response
Speak with Teddy
Sam G., Grade A Rescue Compliance Specialist
Former Restaurant Owner
Serving all 5 boroughs
“

Sam G.

Compliance Specialist ·

Sam knows what it means to have your name on a restaurant. Not as a consultant, not as an employee. As an owner. For years, he ran his own establishments in Boston, facing everything the industry throws at someone who takes that risk. Tight margins, staff turnover, suppliers who let you down, and yes, inspections that show up at the worst possible moment.

He has been on the other side of the table. He has received the notice that keeps you up at night. He has had to decide between shutting down to fix things properly or trying to patch it all together on the fly. And it is precisely because he has lived through every one of those situations that Sam understands his clients in a way that very few can.

Today, as a Compliance Specialist at Grade A Rescue, Sam uses all of that experience as an operator to do what he wishes someone had done for him. Offer clear, realistic guidance with no runaround. He knows the sacrifices, the pride, and the headaches that come with every restaurant. And that is why he treats every case as if it were his own, because in a way, it once was.

Owner Advocacy Hearing Prep Operational Risk
Speak with Sam

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 Call Is Free. Your Peace of Mind Isn't.

Your reputation took years to build. One bad inspection can undo it overnight. We used to be the ones holding the clipboard. Now we use that experience to keep the wrong letter off your wall.

Free ConsultationNo ObligationSame-Day Response

Location:

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

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