Queens, NY — Amylos Taverna, a Greek restaurant located at 33-19 Broadway in Astoria, received a score of 44 during a health inspection conducted on March 12, 2026, according to data released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 23, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C range, representing a significant decline from its prior inspection results.

Inspectors documented one critical violation and three non-critical violations during the visit.

What Inspectors Found

The most serious finding was a critical violation for live roaches present in the facility's food or non-food areas (violation code 04M). The presence of live cockroaches is classified as a critical violation under the NYC Health Code because these pests can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, posing a direct risk of contaminating food and food preparation surfaces.

Inspectors also documented three non-critical violations during the inspection:

  • An accurate thermometer was not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage, or hot holding equipment (code 10E). Proper thermometer placement is essential for verifying that foods are stored at safe temperatures — below 41°F for cold holding and above 140°F for hot holding.
  • Non-food contact surfaces or equipment were found to be not kept clean or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit (code 10F). This type of condition can create harborage areas for pests and make thorough sanitation difficult.
  • The current letter grade or Grade Pending card was not posted (code 20-06). NYC restaurants are required to prominently display their most recent grade card where it is visible to customers before entering the establishment.

The action recorded for this inspection noted that violations were cited in the listed areas.

Food Safety Context

NYC restaurant inspections are conducted by DOHMH under the authority of NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes sanitation requirements for all food service establishments in the city. The inspection scoring system assigns point values to each violation based on severity, with critical violations — those most likely to contribute to foodborne illness — carrying higher point values.

The presence of live cockroaches is addressed specifically under federal food safety guidelines as well. The FDA Food Code identifies pest activity in food establishments as a priority violation requiring immediate corrective action. Cockroaches are known vectors for pathogens and allergens, and their presence indicates conditions that may support further pest activity.

A score of 44 reflects multiple areas where the establishment did not meet required standards at the time of inspection.

Inspection History

Amylos Taverna's recent inspection record shows a pattern of increasing scores prior to this result:

  • Feb 19, 2025: Score 22 (Grade B)
  • Nov 18, 2024: Score 27
  • Jun 12, 2023: Score 5 (Grade A)
  • Apr 28, 2022: Score 12 (Grade A)

The restaurant had maintained Grade A scores in 2022 and 2023 before its score rose to 22 in early 2025, resulting in a Grade B. The current score of 44 represents the highest point total recorded for the establishment in the available inspection history.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores, with lower scores indicating fewer violations:

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

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection. They may also contest their grade through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). During this process, restaurants typically display a "Grade Pending" card.

All NYC restaurant inspection results are public record and can be reviewed on the DOHMH website or through the NYC Open Data portal. Consumers can search inspection histories by restaurant name, address, or borough to make informed dining decisions. The data referenced in this article was released by DOHMH on March 23, 2026, reflecting conditions observed during the March 12, 2026 inspection.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Amylos Taverna including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.