Queens, NY — A Mexican restaurant in Woodside was ordered closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection on July 14, 2026, that documented two critical food safety violations related to temperature control. The closure of Ay Guey, located at 30-86 51st Street, was recorded in DOHMH data released July 16, 2026.

Inspectors assigned a score of 61, placing the establishment in the C range under the city's grading system. The violations cited were both classified as critical, meaning they present a higher risk of foodborne illness. DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed on site before the inspection concluded.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited two critical violations during the July 14 inspection.

The first, Code 05F, found that the restaurant had insufficient or no hot holding, cold storage, or cold holding equipment capable of maintaining Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods at required temperatures. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, cold TCS foods must generally be held at or below 41°F to prevent bacterial growth.

The second, Code 02G, documented that cold TCS food items were held above 41°F during the inspection. This category also covers smoked or processed fish held above 38°F, intact raw eggs held above 45°F, and reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above their required storage temperatures. The specific food items involved were not identified in the publicly released inspection record.

Together, these two violations reflect a breakdown in the cold chain — the system of refrigeration and temperature monitoring that prevents perishable foods from reaching temperatures at which pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli can multiply rapidly.

Food Safety Context

Temperature control is among the most fundamental requirements in commercial food service. The FDA Food Code, which forms the basis for New York City's regulatory framework under NYC Health Code Article 81, establishes 41°F as the upper threshold for cold holding of most TCS foods. Foods held in what regulators call the "temperature danger zone" — between 41°F and 135°F — are at elevated risk of supporting pathogen growth over time.

Code 05F violations, which address equipment capacity and functionality, indicate that a facility may lack the physical infrastructure to consistently meet these requirements. Code 02G violations document the measurable outcome: food at temperatures above the regulatory threshold at the time of inspection.

DOHMH inspectors are authorized under NYC Health Code Article 81.19 to order an establishment closed when conditions pose an imminent public health hazard. When a closure occurs, the establishment must correct the cited conditions and pass a reinspection before reopening to the public.

Inspection History

Public records show the following inspection history for Ay Guey:

  • July 14, 2026: Score 61, closed by DOHMH; two critical violations cited
  • November 19, 2025: Score 17 (Grade B range)
  • July 18, 2023: Score 10 (Grade A)

The restaurant's record indicates a notable shift in inspection outcomes. The July 2023 inspection resulted in a Grade A, reflecting a score in the lowest-risk range. By November 2025, the score had risen to 17, placing the establishment in Grade B territory. The most recent inspection produced a score of 61 — more than three times the November 2025 figure — and triggered a closure order.

No additional inspection dates or scores are available in the current public dataset for this location.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system translates inspection scores into letter grades posted publicly at each establishment. Lower scores reflect fewer or less serious violations.

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

A score of 61 falls well into the C range. When an establishment is closed by DOHMH before a grade is finalized, a Grade Pending card may be posted in place of a letter grade until the facility passes reinspection.

Inspection scores are not permanent assessments. Restaurants that correct cited violations can request a reinspection, and scores can improve significantly between cycles. The public record reflects conditions at the time of each specific inspection visit.

Additional Resources

Current inspection records for Ay Guey and other New York City food service establishments are available through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database at nyc.gov. The database is updated regularly as new inspections are completed and data is processed for public release.

Consumers with questions about food safety complaints or restaurant conditions can contact 311 or submit a report through the NYC311 app.

More About This Restaurant

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