Queens, NY — Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe, a fruits and vegetables establishment located at 32-18 Steinway Street in Queens, received a score of 28 during a health inspection conducted on March 11, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory. Inspectors cited two non-critical violations related to plumbing drainage and equipment cleanliness.
The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 13, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the March 11 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented two non-critical violations at the Steinway Street location:
The first violation, cited under Code 10B, involved deficiencies in anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices, improper drainage of equipment or flooring, and issues with the disposal of condensation or liquid waste. These plumbing-related concerns can affect the sanitary conditions of a food preparation environment when drainage systems are not functioning as required.
The second violation, cited under Code 10F, related to non-food contact surfaces or equipment that 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. This type of violation addresses the maintenance and cleanliness of surfaces that, while not directly touching food, contribute to the overall sanitary condition of the establishment.
No critical violations were identified during the inspection.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the sanitary standards that all food service establishments in New York City must meet. The regulations require that plumbing systems include proper back-flow prevention to protect the potable water supply, and that all equipment and surfaces be maintained in a condition that allows for effective cleaning and sanitation.
The FDA Food Code, which serves as a model for local jurisdictions including New York City, emphasizes the importance of properly functioning drainage systems in food establishments. Standing water and improperly disposed liquid waste can create conditions conducive to pest activity and microbial growth, even when the violations themselves are classified as non-critical.
While neither of the violations cited at Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe was classified as critical — meaning they did not represent an immediate risk of contributing to foodborne illness — they nonetheless contributed to a combined score that placed the establishment in the Grade C range.
Inspection History
The March 2026 inspection represents a decline in the restaurant's inspection performance compared to its prior record:
- April 16, 2025: Score 21 (Grade N)
The previous inspection in April 2025 resulted in a score of 21 with a Grade N designation, which indicates the restaurant was in the process of adjudicating its grade at that time. A score of 21 would have fallen within Grade B range (14–27 points). The current score of 28 crosses the threshold into Grade C territory, representing a seven-point increase from the prior inspection.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points accumulated during an inspection. Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
A Grade C indicates that an establishment has accumulated 28 or more violation points during a single inspection cycle. Restaurants receiving a Grade C may request a re-inspection or contest the grade through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). The grade card must be posted in a location visible to the public near the entrance of the establishment.
Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is updated regularly as new inspection data becomes available. The database provides detailed violation descriptions, scores, and grade histories for all inspected food service establishments in the five boroughs.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.