Queens, NY — Cafe 48, a Chinese restaurant located at 212-09 48th Avenue in the Bayside area of Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a health inspection conducted on February 19, 2026. The establishment received a score of 48, well above the 28-point threshold that triggers a C grade — the lowest letter grade issued under the city's restaurant grading system.
The closure order was issued after inspectors identified one critical violation and two non-critical violations at the restaurant. Data related to the inspection was released by DOHMH on February 23, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 19 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented three violations at Cafe 48:
The single critical violation involved improper storage of wiping cloths. Inspectors found that wiping cloths were not stored clean and dry, nor kept in a sanitizing solution between uses (Code 06F). Under the FDA Food Code, wiping cloths used on food contact surfaces must be stored in an approved sanitizing solution at the proper concentration when not actively in use. Improperly stored wiping cloths can become a vehicle for cross-contamination between surfaces.
Inspectors also cited two non-critical violations. The first noted that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests (Code 08A). This violation indicates that inspectors observed environmental conditions — such as gaps, holes, clutter, or other factors — that could attract or shelter pests within the restaurant. The second non-critical violation cited equipment or non-food contact surfaces that were 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 (Code 10F).
The combination of these violations contributed to the restaurant's total score of 48 and the subsequent closure order.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City. Under this code, DOHMH inspectors evaluate restaurants across a range of food safety criteria, including food temperature control, personal hygiene practices, pest management, and facility maintenance. Each violation is assigned a point value, with critical violations — those most likely to contribute to foodborne illness — carrying higher point values.
The improper storage of wiping cloths, while it may seem minor, is classified as a critical violation because of its direct relationship to cross-contamination risk. The FDA Food Code requires that cloths used for wiping food contact surfaces be stored in a sanitizing solution of appropriate concentration between uses. When this practice is not followed, bacteria can multiply on damp cloths and be transferred to surfaces where food is prepared or served.
Pest harborage conditions, while cited as a non-critical violation in this case, represent an ongoing concern for food service establishments. Pests can contaminate food, food preparation surfaces, and packaging, and their presence often indicates underlying sanitation issues that require sustained corrective action.
When DOHMH issues a closure order, the establishment must address all cited violations and pass a re-inspection before being permitted to reopen to the public.
Inspection History
Cafe 48's February 19 closure is part of a pattern of elevated scores documented over the past several years. The restaurant's recent inspection history includes:
- February 24, 2026: Score 28, closed by DOHMH
- December 31, 2025: Score 26
- October 1, 2025: Score not recorded
- May 1, 2025: Score 27 (Grade Z — grade pending)
- February 12, 2025: Score 40
- October 27, 2023: Score 26
The record shows that Cafe 48 has consistently scored near or above the 28-point C grade threshold across multiple inspection cycles. The February 2025 inspection resulted in a score of 40, and the most recent inspection on February 19, 2026, produced the highest recorded score of 48. Notably, a subsequent inspection on February 24, 2026, also resulted in closure with a score of 28, indicating the restaurant was re-inspected shortly after the initial closure but did not achieve a passing score.
A Grade Z designation, as recorded in May 2025, indicates a grade pending status — typically assigned when a restaurant is awaiting adjudication or re-inspection following an initial cycle score.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on inspection scores:
- A: 0–13 points (lowest risk, best compliance)
- B: 14–27 points (moderate violations noted)
- C: 28 or more points (significant violations documented)
Restaurants that receive a B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection. If a restaurant is ordered closed, it must correct all violations and pass a re-inspection before resuming operations. All inspection results, including scores, grades, and violation details, are public record and available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database.
Consumers can verify any restaurant's current grade and full inspection history by visiting the NYC DOHMH restaurant grades search page or by checking the letter grade card posted at the restaurant's entrance. The inspection data referenced in this article is sourced from publicly available DOHMH records.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Cafe 48 including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.