Posted: August 26th, 2010 - 4:15pm by Doug Powell

The New York Times reports that since July 28, when the department rolled out its new letter-grade rating system, 48 percent of the 250 restaurants that have had an initial inspection and, when needed, a re-inspection, have earned an A grade.

Another 31 percent earned B grades. The C rating was given to 12 percent of restaurants, and 8 percent were closed until they could correct health hazards that would endanger the public.

Since the end of July, 1,825 food establishments in the five boroughs have received an initial inspection, the department said, but many have not completed the two-stage process.

Any restaurant not receiving an A gets a mandatory follow-up inspection within two to three weeks. If the grade still falls short of an A, the restaurant can challenge the grade at an administrative tribunal, but must prominently post a “grade pending” sign until the challenge is resolved.