Queens, NY — Bqe Billiards & Bar, located at 70-02 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, received a Grade C following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted March 31, 2026. The establishment scored 30 points, placing it in the Grade C range, which begins at 28 points. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 2, 2026.
The inspection identified one critical violation and no non-critical violations.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors cited one critical violation under Code 02G, which addresses the improper temperature control of cold temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items. Specifically, the violation covers cold TCS foods held above 41°F, smoked or processed fish held above 38°F, intact raw eggs held above 45°F, or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above their required storage temperatures — except during active, necessary preparation.
Temperature control is a foundational element of food safety. When cold foods are not maintained at proper temperatures, bacterial growth can accelerate rapidly, increasing the potential for foodborne illness. A single critical violation of this type is sufficient to generate a score in the Grade C range when the point value assessed is high enough.
Food Safety Context
Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain proper temperature controls for all perishable items. These standards align with the FDA Food Code, which establishes science-based guidelines for safe food handling, including specific temperature thresholds for various categories of potentially hazardous foods.
Cold TCS foods must generally be kept at or below 41°F to prevent the multiplication of pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli. Smoked or processed fish faces a stricter threshold of 38°F due to the heightened risk of Clostridium botulinum growth. Reduced oxygen packaged foods carry similar elevated risk and are subject to specific storage requirements.
Violations in this category are classified as critical because they represent conditions that directly contribute to the likelihood of foodborne illness if not corrected. Establishments cited for these violations are required to correct them promptly and may face reinspection.
Inspection History
Bqe Billiards & Bar has a mixed inspection record over the past several years:
- February 6, 2025: Score 13, Grade A
- September 18, 2024: Score 29 (no grade letter assigned at that inspection)
- November 30, 2022: Score 13, Grade A
The establishment's most recent prior inspection, conducted in February 2025, resulted in a Grade A with a score of 13 — well within the acceptable range. The September 2024 inspection produced a score of 29, one point above the Grade C threshold, though grade assignments can depend on the inspection cycle and whether an initial or reinspection score is used. The latest March 2026 result marks the second consecutive inspection at or above the Grade C threshold.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system is administered by DOHMH and is based on points assigned during unannounced inspections. Each violation carries a point value reflecting its severity:
- Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points
- Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points
- Grade C: Score of 28 points or higher
Establishments that do not achieve a Grade A on their initial inspection are typically reinspected within a set window. The grade posted publicly reflects either the initial or reinspection score, depending on where the establishment stands in its inspection cycle. Scores from adjudicated hearings may also differ from the scores recorded at the time of inspection.
Inspection records for all New York City food service establishments are publicly available through the DOHMH online restaurant inspection lookup tool. Consumers can search current grades, full violation histories, and inspection dates by restaurant name or address. Grades must be posted in a visible location at the entrance of every inspected establishment.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Bqe Billiards & Bar including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.