Queens, NY — Azucar, an American restaurant located at 18-17 College Point Boulevard in the College Point neighborhood of Queens, received a score of 48 during a health inspection conducted on January 27, 2026. The score places the restaurant well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C rating, with inspectors documenting one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the visit.

The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 5, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The most significant finding was a critical violation cited under Code 06C, which addresses the protection of food, supplies, and equipment from potential sources of contamination. Inspectors documented that items were not adequately protected during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. The violation also noted issues with condiments not being provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.

Food contamination prevention is one of the foundational requirements of restaurant food safety. When food is not properly shielded from contamination sources, it can be exposed to biological, chemical, or physical hazards that may pose risks to consumers.

Inspectors also cited a non-critical violation under Code 10G related to dishwashing and ware washing procedures. The citation noted that cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment, was found to be deficient. Proper sanitization of food-contact surfaces is an essential step in preventing the transfer of harmful bacteria between meals and customers.

Food Safety Context

New York City restaurant inspections are governed by NYC Health Code Article 81 and align with principles established in the FDA Food Code. These regulations set standards for food handling, storage, preparation, and the maintenance of sanitary conditions in food service establishments.

The critical violation documented at Azucar — failure to protect food from contamination sources — falls under provisions that require food establishments to maintain adequate safeguards at every stage of food handling. The FDA Food Code specifies that food must be protected from cross-contamination by separating raw and ready-to-eat items, using proper storage methods, and ensuring that condiments are dispensed in a manner that prevents customer-to-customer contamination.

The dishwashing deficiency, while classified as non-critical, is nonetheless an important component of overall food safety. The NYC Health Code requires that all food-contact surfaces be properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized to eliminate pathogens that can cause foodborne illness.

A score of 48 indicates that the violations observed were assessed significant point values during the inspection. Under the DOHMH scoring system, lower scores indicate better compliance, with each violation assigned points based on its severity and the conditions observed at the time of inspection.

Inspection History

No prior inspection history is available in the DOHMH database for this establishment. The January 27, 2026 inspection represents the first recorded inspection for Azucar at this location. This could indicate that the restaurant is a relatively new establishment or that it is operating under a new permit.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total violation points accumulated during an inspection cycle:

  • A: 0–13 points — The restaurant is in substantial compliance with food safety regulations
  • B: 14–27 points — The restaurant has moderate violations that need to be addressed
  • C: 28 or more points — The restaurant has significant violations requiring attention

With a score of 48, Azucar's results fall into the Grade C range. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection have the opportunity to request a re-inspection. If the score does not improve on re-inspection, the restaurant may also request a hearing before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) to contest the grade.

Restaurants are required to post their letter grade in a location visible to the public. Consumers can verify any restaurant's inspection history and current grade through the DOHMH website or the NYC Open Data portal.

For more information about restaurant inspection results in New York City, residents can visit the DOHMH restaurant grading page or search the database at NYCRestaurantInspections.com.

More About This Restaurant

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