Queens, NY — Adobo Mexican Grill, located at 231-07 Merrick Boulevard in Queens, received a score of 34 following a health inspection conducted on March 23, 2026, earning a Grade C — the lowest passing grade under New York City's restaurant inspection scoring system. The inspection data was released by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on March 26, 2026.

Inspectors recorded two non-critical violations during the visit, with conditions related to pest harborage and ventilation identified at the establishment.

What Inspectors Found

The inspection documented two violations at Adobo Mexican Grill:

The first, cited under Code 08A, noted that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This type of violation indicates that structural conditions, clutter, gaps, or other environmental factors were found that could attract or shelter pests — even if no live pests were directly observed at the time of inspection.

The second violation, cited under Code 10D, found that mechanical or natural ventilation was not provided, was inadequate, improperly installed, in disrepair, or failed to prevent the excessive build-up of grease, heat, steam condensation, vapors, odors, smoke, or fumes. Proper ventilation is required to maintain safe food preparation environments and reduce fire risk from grease accumulation.

Both violations were classified as non-critical. No critical violations were recorded during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, all food service establishments operating in the city are subject to unannounced inspections conducted by DOHMH inspectors. Each violation carries a point value, and the cumulative score determines the letter grade posted at the restaurant.

The FDA Food Code, which NYC's inspection standards are based upon, identifies harborage conditions as a risk factor for pest activity, which in turn can contribute to food contamination. Pest control measures — including sealing entry points and eliminating conditions that attract pests — are considered baseline requirements for food safety compliance.

Ventilation deficiencies, while not always a direct food safety hazard, can contribute to grease buildup on surfaces, elevated kitchen temperatures that affect food storage conditions, and reduced air quality for workers and patrons.

Neither of the violations cited during this inspection was classified as critical, meaning inspectors did not identify issues that pose an immediate risk of foodborne illness. However, the cumulative point total of 34 placed the establishment in Grade C territory under the city's grading scale.

Inspection History

DOHMH inspection records associated with Adobo Mexican Grill include the following entry:

  • May 6, 2026: Score 73 (Grade N), closed by DOHMH

A Grade N is assigned when a restaurant is inspected for the first time in a new cycle and the score has not yet been finalized, or when a re-inspection is pending. A score of 73 is substantially above the Grade C threshold and reflects a significantly higher number of violations cited during that visit. The closure recorded on that date indicates DOHMH required the establishment to cease operations pending correction of conditions identified at inspection.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grade system is based on the total number of points assessed during a DOHMH inspection. The grading scale is as follows:

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

Grades must be posted in a visible location at the restaurant entrance. When an establishment receives a score that would result in a B or C on an initial inspection, it is typically offered a re-inspection before a grade is officially assigned. A Grade C reflects that violations were documented but did not rise to the level requiring immediate closure at the time of the March 23 inspection.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any NYC restaurant — including point breakdowns and violation descriptions — through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection database at the NYC Open Data portal. Inspection reports are public record and updated regularly as new inspections are completed.

More About This Restaurant

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