Queens, NY — A Burger King location at 33-10 Astoria Boulevard was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on July 29, 2026. The establishment received a score of 49, placing it in Grade C territory under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on July 31, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited two non-critical violations during the July 29 inspection. No critical violations were recorded.

The first violation, Code 08A, documented that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and FDA Food Code standards, food service establishments are required to maintain their facilities in a manner that prevents pest entry and eliminates conditions that could shelter or attract pests. This includes sealing structural gaps, maintaining sanitary storage areas, and ensuring that refuse is properly managed to avoid attracting vermin.

The second violation, Code 10H, identified improper handling of single-service articles. Inspectors noted that drinking straws were not completely enclosed in individual wrappers or dispensed from a sanitary device. NYC Health Code Article 81 requires that single-use items — including straws, utensils, and napkins — be protected from contamination during storage, transport, and dispensing. The requirement exists to prevent indirect transmission of pathogens at the point of customer contact.

Although both violations were classified as non-critical, the cumulative score of 49 points was sufficient to trigger a closure order. DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of inspection before the establishment could be cleared to reopen.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 governs the sanitary operation of all food service establishments across the five boroughs. DOHMH environmental health inspectors conduct unannounced inspections and evaluate conditions across dozens of categories, including food temperature control, worker hygiene, equipment sanitation, structural integrity, and pest prevention.

Pest harborage violations — captured under Code 08A — are among the more commonly cited conditions in New York City restaurant inspections. The FDA Food Code, which informs local regulations, establishes pest management as a foundational requirement of food safety. Rodents and insects are capable of transmitting disease-causing pathogens through direct contact with food, food-contact surfaces, and packaging materials.

Single-service article violations like those noted under Code 10H may appear minor in isolation, but they reflect health code requirements designed to prevent contamination at the final point of food or beverage delivery to customers. Unwrapped or improperly dispensed items can come into contact with surfaces, hands, or airborne particles before reaching a customer.

DOHMH is authorized under the NYC Health Code to order the closure of any food service establishment when inspectors determine that conditions present a risk to public health. Closures remain in effect until the establishment demonstrates that the cited conditions have been corrected and passes a reinspection or addresses immediate violations on-site.

Inspection History

The Astoria Boulevard Burger King has posted a range of scores across its recent inspection record. Prior inspections on file include:

  • 2025-10-22: Score 6
  • 2025-09-22: Score 21
  • 2024-05-02: Score 7 (Grade A)
  • 2024-02-05: Score 31
  • 2023-01-19: Score 10 (Grade A)

The location earned strong scores in several prior cycles, including a score of 6 in October 2025 and a Grade A score of 7 in May 2024, reflecting high compliance at those times. However, the September 2025 inspection recorded a score of 21 — within Grade B range — and the February 2024 inspection produced a score of 31, also in Grade C range. The July 2026 score of 49 is the highest recorded score in the available inspection history for this location.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

DOHMH assigns letter grades to food service establishments based on the total points accumulated during an inspection. Each violation carries a set point value depending on its severity and public health risk. The grading scale is as follows:

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points — the highest level of compliance
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points — satisfactory, with some violations noted
  • Grade C: Score of 28 points or higher — significant violations identified

Establishments that score in the Grade B or C range during an initial inspection are typically scheduled for a re-inspection within 30 to 60 days. When a closure order is issued, the establishment must resolve the cited conditions and receive clearance from DOHMH before resuming operations.

Current inspection records and historical scores for all NYC food service establishments are available through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database, accessible via the NYC Open Data portal at data.cityofnewyork.us. Residents can search by restaurant name, address, zip code, or cuisine type to review complete inspection histories and current grade status.

More About This Restaurant

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