Queens, NY — Bubba Joe's, a chicken restaurant at 21-02 Newtown Avenue in Astoria, received a Grade B score of 25 following a health inspection conducted on March 2, 2026. The score places the restaurant near the upper boundary of the Grade B range, just three points below the Grade C threshold of 28.

Inspectors documented one critical violation and three non-critical violations during the visit. The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 5, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The most significant finding was a critical violation: no manager or supervisor of food operations held a valid Food Protection Certificate (FPC). Under NYC Health Code Article 81, every food service establishment must have at least one certified supervisor of food operations present during all hours of operation. The absence of a certified manager raises concerns about whether staff are adequately trained in safe food handling procedures.

Inspectors also documented three non-critical violations:

Improper thawing procedures were identified. The FDA Food Code specifies that food must be thawed using approved methods — under refrigeration, under running water at 70°F or below, as part of the cooking process, or in a microwave if cooked immediately afterward. Improper thawing can allow food to enter the temperature danger zone between 41°F and 135°F, where bacteria multiply rapidly.

A required hand-washing sign was not posted near or above a hand-washing sink. While this is a non-critical documentation violation, visible signage serves as a routine reminder for staff to maintain proper hand hygiene during food preparation.

Additionally, non-food contact surfaces or equipment were found to be not properly clean or not constructed of acceptable materials. Equipment must be sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow thorough cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath.

Food Safety Context

The Food Protection Certificate requirement exists because certified managers are trained to identify and prevent foodborne illness risks, including proper temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, and allergen management. NYC Health Code Article 81 considers the absence of a certified food protection supervisor a critical violation because it reflects a systemic gap in food safety oversight at the establishment.

A score of 25 is notable because it sits at the high end of the Grade B range. While the restaurant avoids a Grade C designation, the proximity to the 28-point threshold indicates multiple areas requiring corrective action.

Inspection History

No prior inspection history is available for this establishment in the DOHMH public database. This may indicate that Bubba Joe's is a newer establishment or that previous records are not yet reflected in the current dataset.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades based on inspection scores under the following scale:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points (minimal violations)
  • Grade B: 14–27 points (moderate violations)
  • Grade C: 28 or more points (significant violations)

Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C may request a re-inspection to improve their score.

Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history through the DOHMH restaurant grading search portal or the NYC Open Data platform. Inspection records are public information and are updated as new data becomes available.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Bubba Joe's including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.