Queens, NY — Abdullah Sweets & Restaurant, a Bangladeshi restaurant located at 73-06 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on January 8, 2026. The establishment received a score of 81 points, far exceeding the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation. The inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on January 16, 2026.
Abdullah Sweets & Restaurant restaurant inspection" width="400" height="225" loading="eager" decoding="async" class="article-featured-image">The closure was ordered after inspectors identified a critical food safety violation requiring immediate corrective action.
What Inspectors Found
During the January 8 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one critical violation at Abdullah Sweets & Restaurant:
- Hot TCS food not held at or above 140 °F (Violation Code 02B): Inspectors found that hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were not being maintained at the required minimum temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
TCS foods — which include cooked meats, rice, cooked vegetables, and dairy-based items — are particularly susceptible to bacterial growth when held in the temperature danger zone between 41°F and 140°F. When these foods fall below 140°F during hot holding, harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, and Staphylococcus aureus can multiply rapidly, potentially reaching levels that cause foodborne illness.
While only one violation was cited during this inspection, the resulting score of 81 points indicates inspectors assessed the severity of the temperature control failure as substantial. Under the DOHMH scoring system, the point value assigned to a violation reflects factors including the nature of the food safety risk and the conditions observed at the time of inspection.
Food Safety Context
The requirement to maintain hot TCS foods at or above 140°F is established under both the NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. These regulations exist because temperature control is one of the most fundamental safeguards against foodborne illness in restaurant operations.
According to the FDA Food Code, TCS foods that remain in the temperature danger zone (between 41°F and 140°F) for extended periods must be discarded, as bacterial contamination may not be detectable by appearance, taste, or smell. Restaurants are required to monitor food temperatures throughout preparation, cooking, and holding to ensure compliance.
The DOHMH conducts unannounced inspections of all New York City restaurants to verify compliance with food safety regulations. When conditions pose an imminent health hazard, inspectors have the authority to order an immediate closure. The establishment may reopen after correcting all cited violations and passing a re-inspection.
Inspection History
A review of publicly available DOHMH records shows that Abdullah Sweets & Restaurant has undergone multiple inspections in recent years, with a pattern of significant score fluctuations:
- Feb 12, 2026: Score 2, Grade Z (Reopened)
- Aug 18, 2025: Score 2, Grade Z
- Aug 12, 2025: Score 39
- Jul 31, 2025: Score 100, Closed by DOHMH
- Feb 12, 2024: Score 10, Grade A
- Apr 4, 2023: Score 20
The January 2026 closure marks the second time the restaurant has been closed by the health department within a six-month period. The establishment was previously closed on July 31, 2025, after receiving a score of 100 points. Following that closure, the restaurant underwent re-inspection in August 2025, receiving scores of 39 and then 2 during subsequent visits.
The restaurant had earned a Grade A with a score of 10 points as recently as February 2024, indicating the establishment has demonstrated the ability to meet food safety standards. The restaurant's most recent record shows it reopened on February 12, 2026, with a score of 2 points following the January closure.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total violation points assessed during inspections:
- Grade A: 0 to 13 points
- Grade B: 14 to 27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
A Grade Z indicates a restaurant that has been re-inspected following a prior inspection and is awaiting adjudication or a final grade determination. Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations, reflecting better compliance with food safety regulations.
Restaurants that receive a Grade C or are ordered closed may request a hearing before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) to contest the inspection findings.
Consumers can look up the latest inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH online database or by checking the letter grade card posted at the restaurant entrance. Inspection records referenced in this article are drawn from publicly available DOHMH data and reflect information current as of the data release date of January 16, 2026.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Abdullah Sweets & Restaurant including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.