Queens, NY — Adobo Mexican Grill, located at 231-07 Merrick Boulevard in Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on May 6, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 73, placing the establishment in the C grade range. The closure came after at least one violation requiring immediate action was identified. This data was released by DOHMH on May 8, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the May 6 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one critical violation at the restaurant.

Critical violation cited:

  • Code 06F: Wiping cloths were not stored clean and dry, or in an approved sanitizing solution, between uses.

Although this may appear to be a minor procedural matter, improper wiping cloth storage is classified as a critical violation because contaminated cloths can serve as a vector for transferring pathogens to food-contact surfaces, utensils, and food itself. When a cloth used to clean surfaces is not properly sanitized between uses, it can spread bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, or Listeria across a kitchen.

The DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed on-site before or at the time of closure. No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection cycle.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments operating in the five boroughs, restaurants are required to maintain all equipment, surfaces, and materials used in food preparation in a sanitary condition. This includes proper storage and maintenance of wiping cloths and cleaning materials.

The FDA Food Code — which New York City's health code closely mirrors — specifically requires that wiping cloths used for food-contact surfaces be held in a sanitizing solution between uses, or stored clean and dry if single-use cloths are employed. The underlying principle is to prevent cross-contamination, one of the leading causes of foodborne illness in commercial food service environments.

A score of 73 falls well into the C range under New York City's restaurant grading system. While a single critical violation drove the majority of the scoring in this case, the total point value indicates that the inspection finding was weighted significantly, consistent with DOHMH's scoring methodology for critical sanitation failures.

The DOHMH closure order means the restaurant was required to cease operations until the cited conditions were corrected and the establishment passed a re-inspection. Closure by DOHMH does not necessarily indicate a prolonged shutdown — many establishments resolve identified violations quickly and reopen within days following a satisfactory follow-up inspection.

Inspection History

Adobo Mexican Grill has a limited but notable recent inspection record with DOHMH:

  • 2026-03-23: Score 34 (Grade N)
  • 2026-05-06: Score 73 (C), closed by DOHMH

The March 2026 inspection resulted in a score of 34, which falls in the C range and triggered a Grade N designation. A "Grade N" (Not Yet Graded) is issued when an establishment's initial inspection score is 14 or above, triggering a reinspection cycle. The restaurant's most recent score of 73 represents a significant increase from the prior inspection, indicating that sanitation conditions had not improved in the intervening period.

This pattern — a prior substandard score followed by a higher score and closure — is among the circumstances that can prompt DOHMH to take immediate closure action under its enforcement authority.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City requires restaurants to post their most recent inspection grade in a visible location. Grades are assigned based on the total point score recorded during an inspection:

  • A: Score of 0–13 points (lowest violation severity)
  • B: Score of 14–27 points
  • C: Score of 28 or more points (highest violation severity)
  • Grade N (Not Yet Graded): Issued when an initial inspection scores 14 or above; a follow-up inspection is then scheduled
  • Grade Pending: Posted while an establishment awaits its re-inspection or administrative hearing result

Each violation is assigned a point value based on its public health risk. Critical violations — those with a direct potential to cause foodborne illness — carry higher point values than non-critical violations, which relate to facility maintenance and general sanitation practices.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Adobo Mexican Grill including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.