Queens, NY — A Lo Perucho, a Peruvian restaurant located at 94-16 Jamaica Avenue in Queens, received a health inspection score of 59 during an inspection conducted on March 18, 2026. The score places the establishment well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C, the lowest letter grade issued by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the visit.

What Inspectors Found

The most serious issue identified during the inspection was a critical violation under Code 03A, which addresses food sourcing and preparation standards. Inspectors cited the restaurant for food that was prohibited, from unapproved or unknown sources, home canned, or home prepared. This violation category also covers animal products slaughtered, butchered, or dressed on premises, as well as Reduced Oxygen Packaged (ROP) fish not frozen before processing and ROP food prepared on-site and transported to another location.

Code 03A violations are classified as critical because unapproved food sources bypass the regulatory safeguards designed to prevent contaminated or unsafe products from reaching consumers. Approved food sources are subject to inspections and safety standards that help ensure products are handled, stored, and transported under conditions that minimize the risk of foodborne illness.

Inspectors also noted a non-critical violation under Code 28-06 for the absence of a contract with a licensed pest management professional. Additionally, records of extermination activities were not kept on the premises. While classified as non-critical, pest management documentation is a standard requirement for food service establishments in New York City.

Food Safety Context

New York City restaurant inspections are governed by NYC Health Code Article 81 and aligned with the FDA Food Code, which together establish requirements for food sourcing, handling, storage, and facility maintenance. The food sourcing standards cited in this inspection exist because approved suppliers operate under oversight from regulatory agencies that verify safe handling practices throughout the supply chain.

Under the FDA Food Code, food establishments are required to obtain food from sources that comply with applicable laws. This includes ensuring that animal products are processed in facilities inspected by appropriate regulatory authorities. The requirement is designed to reduce the risk of contamination from pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which can be present in improperly sourced or handled food products.

The pest management contract requirement ensures that restaurants maintain ongoing professional pest control services and document those activities. This record-keeping allows inspectors to verify that the establishment is actively managing pest risks rather than addressing issues only reactively.

Inspection History

A review of publicly available DOHMH records shows the following inspection history for A Lo Perucho:

  • December 5, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • August 12, 2024: Score 36

The December 2024 inspection resulted in a Grade A, indicating the restaurant was meeting health code standards at that time with a score just under the 14-point threshold. The August 2024 inspection produced a score of 36, which would have placed the restaurant in Grade C territory. The March 2026 score of 59 represents a significant increase from the most recent prior inspection and the highest score recorded in the available inspection history for this establishment.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total points accumulated during health inspections. Lower scores indicate fewer violations and reflect better compliance with health code standards.

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

Each violation carries a specific point value based on its severity and the condition observed. Critical violations, which pose a greater risk to public health, generally carry higher point values than non-critical violations.

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C may request a re-inspection or adjudication hearing through the DOHMH Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). Until a final grade is determined through this process, the restaurant may post a "Grade Pending" sign.

This article is based on inspection data released by DOHMH on March 20, 2026, reflecting the inspection conducted on March 18, 2026. Inspection results represent conditions observed at a specific point in time and may not reflect the current state of the establishment. For the most current inspection results, visit the DOHMH restaurant inspection database at a]nyc.gov/health.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for A Lo Perucho including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.