APPLEBEE'S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL 21
1283 ARSENAL STREET, WATERTOWN, NY 13601
Last inspected Apr 6, 2026
Official source: New York State Department of Health (health.ny.gov) · All data sources
Passed. Met health requirements at the latest inspection. Some health departments report pass/fail instead of letter grades.
This inspection record doesn’t carry an official letter grade — some health departments never issue one, and others (like NYC) post it after a grace period — so CleanPlate derived the status from the reported violation data. If the department posts an official grade, it replaces this automatically.
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The record, in plain English
CleanPlate holds 25 inspections on record for APPLEBEE'S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL 21, spanning December 2014 to April 2026 — every one straight from New York State Department of Health.
The trend is positive: it improved from failed at the previous visit to passed now.
The most recent inspection noted 8 violations, none of them critical.
Every sentence above is computed directly from the official record — CleanPlate adds no opinions. How our grading works →
Inspection history
Apr 6, 2026
✓8 violations
- Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any time of operations when contamination may have occurred
- In use food dispensing utensils improperly stored
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and floors not properly drained
Sep 11, 2025
✕8 violations
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or below 45�F during cold holding, except smoked fish not kept at or below 38�F during cold holding.
- Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Critical: Food workers do not wash hands thoroughly after visiting the toilet, coughing, sneezing, smoking or otherwise contaminating their hands.
- Critical: Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate potentially hazardous food temperatures during cooking, cooling, reheating and holding.
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Critical: Water/ice: unsafe, unapproved sources, cross connections
Mar 5, 2025
✓7 violations
- Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any time of operations when contamination may have occurred
- Tobacco is used; eating, drinking in food preparation, dishwashing food storage areas
- Premises littered, unnecessary equipment and article present, living quarters no completely separated for food service operations, live animals, birds and pets not excluded
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
Jan 8, 2025
✓Dec 31, 2024
✕5 violations
- Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or below 45�F during cold holding, except smoked fish not kept at or below 38�F during cold holding.
- Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any time of operations when contamination may have occurred
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
Apr 23, 2024
✕8 violations
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- In use food dispensing utensils improperly stored
- Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
- Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and floors not properly drained
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions
- Critical: Food workers do not wash hands thoroughly after visiting the toilet, coughing, sneezing, smoking or otherwise contaminating their hands.
Oct 6, 2023
✓5 violations
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Improper use and storage of clean, sanitized equipment and utensils
Feb 9, 2023
✓6 violations
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- In use food dispensing utensils improperly stored
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Manual facilities inadequate, technique incorrect; mechanical facilities not operated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
Nov 15, 2022
✓4 violations
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
May 5, 2022
✓3 violations
- Manual facilities inadequate, technique incorrect; mechanical facilities not operated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions
- Lighting and ventilation inadequate, fixtures not shielded, dirty ventilation hoods, ductwork, filters, exhaust fans
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
Dec 1, 2021
✓8 violations
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Manual facilities inadequate, technique incorrect; mechanical facilities not operated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Hot, cold running water not provided, pressure inadequate
- Improper thawing procedures used
- Improper use and storage of clean, sanitized equipment and utensils
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
Feb 26, 2020
✕7 violations
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Garbage storage areas not properly constructed or maintained, creating a nuisance
- Critical: All poultry, poultry stuffings, stuffed meats and stuffings containing meat are not heated to 165�F or above.
- Lighting and ventilation inadequate, fixtures not shielded, dirty ventilation hoods, ductwork, filters, exhaust fans
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- In use food dispensing utensils improperly stored
Dec 11, 2019
✓9 violations
- Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any time of operations when contamination may have occurred
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and floors not properly drained
- Lighting and ventilation inadequate, fixtures not shielded, dirty ventilation hoods, ductwork, filters, exhaust fans
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Tobacco is used; eating, drinking in food preparation, dishwashing food storage areas
- Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
Apr 17, 2019
✕14 violations
- Raw foods not properly washing prior to serving
- Critical: All ground meat and foods containing ground meat are not heated to 158�F or above except by consumer request.
- Premises littered, unnecessary equipment and article present, living quarters no completely separated for food service operations, live animals, birds and pets not excluded
- Critical: Food workers do not use proper utensils to eliminate bare hand contact with cooked or prepared foods.
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Hair is improperly restrained
- Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or below 45�F during cold holding, except smoked fish not kept at or below 38�F during cold holding.
- Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any time of operations when contamination may have occurred
- Critical: Food from unapproved source, spoiled, adulterated on premises.
- Manual facilities inadequate, technique incorrect; mechanical facilities not operated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
Dec 6, 2018
✓Nov 6, 2018
✕9 violations
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any time of operations when contamination may have occurred
- Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and floors not properly drained
- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Critical: Enough refrigerated storage equipment is not present, properly designed, maintained or operated so that all potentially hazardous foods are cooled properly and stored below 45�F as required.
- Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
Jan 30, 2018
✕7 violations
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and floors not properly drained
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or above 140�F during hot holding.
- Improper use and storage of clean, sanitized equipment and utensils
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any time of operations when contamination may have occurred
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
Sep 18, 2017
✓6 violations
- Improperly functioning on-site sewage disposal system, improper
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and floors not properly drained
- In use food dispensing utensils improperly stored
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
Jun 12, 2017
✕6 violations
- Critical: Enough refrigerated storage equipment is not present, properly designed, maintained or operated so that all potentially hazardous foods are cooled properly and stored below 45�F as required.
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
Jan 12, 2017
✓8 violations
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
- Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate refrigerated or heated storage temperatures
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Lighting and ventilation inadequate, fixtures not shielded, dirty ventilation hoods, ductwork, filters, exhaust fans
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions
Oct 11, 2016
✓9 violations
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- In use food dispensing utensils improperly stored
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions
- Improper use and storage of clean, sanitized equipment and utensils
- Lighting and ventilation inadequate, fixtures not shielded, dirty ventilation hoods, ductwork, filters, exhaust fans
Mar 22, 2016
✓3 violations
- Lighting and ventilation inadequate, fixtures not shielded, dirty ventilation hoods, ductwork, filters, exhaust fans
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
Dec 11, 2015
✕8 violations
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not cooled by an approved method where the food temperature can be reduced from 120oF to 70oF or less within two hours and 70oF to 45oF within four hours.
- Critical: Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or below 45�F during cold holding, except smoked fish not kept at or below 38�F during cold holding.
- Single service items reused, improperly stored, dispensed, not used when required
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Lighting and ventilation inadequate, fixtures not shielded, dirty ventilation hoods, ductwork, filters, exhaust fans
- Critical: Food from unapproved source, spoiled, adulterated on premises.
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Critical: All poultry, poultry stuffings, stuffed meats and stuffings containing meat are not heated to 165�F or above.
Feb 12, 2015
✓4 violations
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
Dec 3, 2014
✓7 violations
- Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
- In use food dispensing utensils improperly stored
- Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any time of operations when contamination may have occurred
- Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
- Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
- Dressing rooms dirty, not provided, improperly located
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Source: New York State Department of Health (health.ny.gov). Data shown unmodified from the official government record. CleanPlate is an independent service, not affiliated with any government agency. See something wrong? Report a data issue.
