Queens, NY — Caribbean Fest, a Caribbean restaurant located at 116-14 Rockaway Boulevard in Queens, received a score of 37 during a health inspection conducted on November 12, 2025, placing it in Grade C territory. Inspectors documented two critical violations related to hand washing facilities and improper cold food storage temperatures.
The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 3, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The inspection identified two critical violations at the establishment, both relating to fundamental food safety requirements.
The first violation cited the absence of an accessible hand washing facility. Under violation code 05D, inspectors noted that no hand washing facility was available in or adjacent to the toilet room or within 25 feet of food preparation, food service, or ware washing areas. The citation also referenced that hand washing facilities were not accessible, were obstructed, or were being used for non-hand washing purposes, and that adequate hot and cold running water, soap, or acceptable hand-drying devices were not available.
The second critical violation involved improper cold food storage temperatures. Under violation code 02G, inspectors found that cold time and temperature controlled for safety (TCS) food items were being held above 41°F. This requirement also applies to smoked or processed fish, which must be held below 38°F, intact raw eggs below 45°F, and reduced oxygen packaged TCS foods at their required temperatures.
No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.
Food Safety Context
Hand washing is considered one of the most fundamental defenses against foodborne illness transmission in restaurant settings. NYC Health Code Article 81 requires that food service establishments maintain accessible hand washing stations equipped with hot and cold running water, soap, and appropriate drying devices within required proximity to food preparation and service areas.
The FDA Food Code similarly emphasizes proper hand hygiene as a critical control point, requiring food workers to wash hands before handling food, after using the restroom, and after touching any potential source of contamination.
Improper cold holding temperatures represent a significant food safety concern because the range between 41°F and 135°F is known as the temperature danger zone, where harmful bacteria can multiply rapidly. The FDA Food Code requires that cold TCS foods be maintained at 41°F or below to slow bacterial growth and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
The combination of inadequate hand washing facilities and improper cold food storage creates compounding food safety risks, as both violations relate to the prevention of bacterial contamination in food preparation environments.
Inspection History
No prior inspection history is available for Caribbean Fest in the DOHMH database. This is the first recorded inspection for this establishment in the publicly available data.
The action taken by DOHMH was recorded as "violations were cited in the following area(s)," indicating that the violations were documented and the restaurant was cited accordingly.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total number of violation points accumulated during an inspection. Fewer points indicate better compliance with health codes:
- Grade A: 0 to 13 points — the restaurant is in substantial compliance with food safety regulations
- Grade B: 14 to 27 points — the restaurant has some violations that need to be corrected
- Grade C: 28 or more points — the restaurant has significant violations requiring attention
Caribbean Fest's score of 37 places it in the Grade C range, which is 24 points above the Grade A threshold and 10 points above the Grade B ceiling.
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are offered a re-inspection, typically within a set timeframe, to demonstrate improved compliance. Grade cards must be posted at the entrance of the establishment where they are visible to the public.
Residents can look up inspection results for any restaurant in New York City through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is publicly available online. Consumers are encouraged to review inspection histories as one factor when making dining decisions.
Inspection data is sourced from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene open data portal. This report is based on publicly available records.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Caribbean Fest including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.