Queens, NY — Caribbean Flame Cuisine, located at 126-08 111 Avenue in the South Ozone Park neighborhood of Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on April 10, 2026. The establishment received a score of 82, placing it well within the C-grade range under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on April 13, 2026.

The closure order was issued after inspectors identified violations requiring immediate corrective action. Per DOHMH procedure, establishments subject to a closure order must address all conditions cited before a reinspection can be scheduled and the restaurant permitted to reopen.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one violation during the April 10 inspection, which was classified as non-critical under the city's scoring system. Despite the single-violation finding, the cumulative point total of 82 resulted in both a C-grade designation and a closure order.

The violation cited was Code 10F, which addresses non-food contact surfaces and equipment. Specifically, inspectors noted that a non-food contact surface or piece of equipment was either constructed of unacceptable material, not maintained in a clean condition, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or positioned in a way that allows accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit.

While Code 10F violations do not involve direct contact with food, the NYC Health Code and FDA Food Code recognize that improperly maintained equipment surfaces can contribute to the accumulation of grease, debris, and moisture — conditions that may indirectly affect sanitation and food safety over time. Inspectors cited this area as requiring immediate action, which was addressed at the time of the inspection per DOHMH records.

Food Safety Context

Restaurant inspections in New York City are conducted under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes the standards for food handling, facility maintenance, equipment condition, and sanitation practices. The city's inspection and grading program, administered by DOHMH, assigns numeric point values to each violation identified during an unannounced inspection. Higher scores reflect a greater number or severity of violations.

Under this system, a score of 82 falls into the grade C range. The FDA Food Code, which serves as the basis for many local health codes nationwide, similarly distinguishes between violations that pose an immediate risk to public health and those that, while not immediately hazardous, indicate conditions that require correction to maintain a sanitary environment.

When DOHMH issues a closure order, it reflects a determination that the conditions identified during the inspection — taken together — present a level of concern that warrants halting food service operations until those conditions are corrected and verified through reinspection.

Inspection History

According to publicly available DOHMH records, no prior inspection history is available for Caribbean Flame Cuisine at this location. This April 10, 2026 inspection represents the earliest on-record visit for this establishment in the city's database.

  • April 10, 2026: Score 82 (Grade C), Closed by DOHMH; 1 non-critical violation cited (Code 10F)

The absence of prior inspection records may reflect a relatively recent opening date, a change in business registration, or gaps in the publicly accessible data. Consumers seeking additional historical context may submit a records request through DOHMH or consult the NYC OpenData portal directly.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City uses a letter-grade system based on inspection scores to help the public make informed dining decisions. Grades are required to be posted visibly at the entrance of all food service establishments. The grading scale is as follows:

  • Grade A: Score of 0–13 points (fewest violations)
  • Grade B: Score of 14–27 points
  • Grade C: Score of 28 or more points
  • Grade N (Not Yet Graded): Assigned following an initial inspection or reinspection when a grade has not yet been issued

Establishments that receive a score in the B or C range during an initial inspection are typically offered a reinspection, at which point they may improve their score and receive a higher grade. Closure orders, however, require the establishment to address cited conditions before any reinspection takes place.

Consumers can look up the current grade and full inspection history of any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database, available at the NYC OpenData portal. The database is updated regularly as new inspection records are processed and released.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Caribbean Flame Cuisine including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.