Queens, NY — Akino/Teazzi Tea Shop, a Japanese restaurant located at 82-80 Broadway in Elmhurst, received a score of 38 during a New York City health inspection conducted on March 5, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, the lowest passing grade in the city's restaurant grading system.

Inspectors from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) documented two non-critical violations during the visit. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 9, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The inspection identified two areas of concern at the establishment:

Inspectors cited the restaurant under violation code 08A for conditions conducive to pests. Specifically, the establishment was found not to be free of harborage or conditions that could attract rodents, insects, or other pests. This type of violation indicates that environmental conditions within the premises may provide shelter, food sources, or entry points for vermin, even if active pest activity was not necessarily documented at the time of inspection.

The second violation, cited under code 10F, related to the condition of non-food contact surfaces and equipment. Inspectors noted that such surfaces were either made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit. Proper maintenance of these surfaces is essential to preventing contamination and maintaining overall kitchen hygiene.

While neither violation was classified as critical — meaning no immediate health hazard was identified — the combined point total of 38 resulted in a Grade C designation.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in the city, requiring restaurants to maintain sanitary conditions, proper food handling procedures, and pest-free environments. The FDA Food Code, which serves as the basis for many local food safety regulations, similarly emphasizes the importance of pest management and equipment sanitation as foundational elements of food safety.

Conditions conducive to pests are a recurring concern in urban food service environments. The NYC Health Code requires establishments to maintain premises in a condition that prevents the entry and harborage of pests, including sealing gaps, properly storing food and waste, and maintaining clean surfaces throughout the facility.

Equipment and surface cleanliness standards exist to ensure that even non-food contact areas do not become sources of contamination. When equipment cannot be easily accessed for cleaning, residue and debris can accumulate, potentially creating conditions that attract pests or harbor bacteria.

Inspection History

The March 2026 inspection continues a pattern of elevated scores for this establishment. Recent inspection results include:

  • November 10, 2025: Score 35 (Grade Z)
  • September 17, 2025: Score 55
  • July 14, 2025: Score 36 (Grade C)
  • May 28, 2025: Score 41
  • March 7, 2024: Score 27 (Grade B)
  • March 27, 2023: Score 58

The restaurant has not received a Grade A score in any inspection within the available record. Its best recent performance was a score of 27 in March 2024, which resulted in a Grade B. Since that inspection, scores have consistently remained at 35 or above, indicating ongoing difficulty meeting city health standards.

A Grade Z designation, as recorded in November 2025, indicates that the restaurant's grade is pending, typically because the establishment is awaiting an administrative hearing or re-inspection.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total points accumulated during an inspection. Points are assessed for each violation found, with more serious violations carrying higher point values:

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

Lower scores indicate fewer or less serious violations. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection or contest the results through an administrative hearing.

Consumers can look up the latest inspection results for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the city's official website. Inspection grades are also required to be posted at the entrance of each food service establishment.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Akino/ Teazzi Tea Shop including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.