Queens, NY — 1313 Cafe & Juice Bar, an Indian restaurant at 111-18 101 Avenue in Richmond Hill, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection on March 12, 2026, that resulted in a score of 191. The closure marks the third time the establishment has been closed by health inspectors in approximately six weeks.

The inspection identified one critical violation related to the sourcing and handling of food served at the restaurant. Data from the inspection was released publicly by DOHMH on March 16, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 12 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited 1313 Cafe & Juice Bar for a single critical violation under Code 03A. The violation documented that food on the premises was from an unapproved or unknown source. This code also covers food that is home canned or home prepared, animals slaughtered or dressed on premises, Reduced Oxygen Packaged (ROP) fish not frozen before processing, and ROP food prepared on-site and transported to another location.

While only one violation was recorded, the resulting score of 191 indicates inspectors assessed the severity of this violation at an exceptionally high level. Under the NYC restaurant grading system, any score of 28 or above falls into Grade C territory. A score of 191 is significantly above that threshold and reflects what inspectors determined to be a serious public health concern regarding the origin and safety of food being served to customers.

The critical nature of food source violations stems from the inability to verify that proper safety protocols — including temperature control, handling procedures, and contamination prevention — were followed during production, storage, and transport. When a restaurant cannot demonstrate that its food comes from approved, inspected sources, there is no way to confirm it meets the safety standards required by law.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 requires that all food served in restaurants come from approved sources that are subject to regulatory oversight. This means food must be obtained from licensed distributors, manufacturers, or other facilities that operate under health department permits and undergo their own inspections.

The FDA Food Code, which forms the basis for many local food safety regulations, similarly mandates that food in commercial establishments be sourced from suppliers that comply with applicable laws. The code specifically prohibits the use of home-prepared or home-canned foods in restaurant settings due to the elevated risk of foodborne illness from products that have not been processed under controlled, inspected conditions.

Food from unapproved sources is classified as a critical violation because it represents a direct potential threat to consumer health. Without verified sourcing, there is no chain of accountability for food safety, and the risk of contamination — whether biological, chemical, or physical — cannot be adequately assessed or mitigated.

Inspection History

The March 12 closure is the latest in a pattern of enforcement actions against 1313 Cafe & Juice Bar in early 2026. The restaurant's recent inspection record shows repeated closures over a short period:

  • March 12, 2026: Score 191, closed by DOHMH
  • February 4, 2026: Score 28 (Grade N), closed by DOHMH
  • January 31, 2026: Score 88, closed by DOHMH

The restaurant was first closed on January 31 with a score of 88. It was closed again just four days later on February 4 with a score of 28 and a Grade N designation, which indicates a "not yet graded" status typically assigned when a restaurant is awaiting a re-inspection or adjudication hearing. The March 12 closure followed approximately five weeks later, with a score that increased substantially to 191.

Three closures within a six-week window represents a notable enforcement pattern and suggests ongoing compliance challenges at the establishment. Under DOHMH procedures, a closed restaurant must correct the conditions that led to the closure and pass a re-inspection before it is permitted to reopen and serve the public.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores. Lower scores indicate fewer and less severe violations:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points
  • Grade B: 14–27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

A score of 191 falls far above the Grade C threshold of 28 points. Restaurants that receive a grade of B or C may contest the grade through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) and request a re-inspection.

Consumers can verify any restaurant's current inspection status and grade through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. Inspection results, including violation details and scores, are public record and are updated as new data becomes available.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for 1313 Cafe & Juice Bar including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.