Queens, NY — Caribbean Roti Express, located at 173-21 Jamaica Avenue in Jamaica, Queens, received a score of 24 following a health inspection conducted on January 13, 2026, according to data released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on April 10, 2026. The score places the restaurant in the Grade B range, just four points below the threshold at which a Grade C would be issued.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented two violations during the January visit — one critical and one non-critical.

The critical violation, Code 04K, cited evidence of rats or live rats in the establishment's food or non-food areas. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and FDA Food Code standards, the presence of rodents in a food service facility represents a direct threat to food safety. Evidence of rodent activity can indicate compromised food storage, structural access points, or sanitation deficiencies, and carries significant point weight in the city's grading system.

The non-critical violation, Code 15-42, cited a failure to make a good faith effort to inform patrons of prohibitions under the Smoke-Free Air Act (SFAA), which bans smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes in enclosed workplaces and public spaces, including restaurants.

Together, the two violations produced a score of 24, the upper portion of the B range. A score at this level signals meaningful compliance gaps, even if it does not result in closure or a failing grade.

Food Safety Context

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered under NYC Health Code Article 81, assigns point values to violations based on their potential risk to public health. Critical violations — those with a direct link to foodborne illness or contamination — carry higher point values than non-critical ones.

The rodent evidence violation documented at this inspection is among the more serious critical violation categories. Regulatory guidance from the FDA Food Code identifies pest activity as a significant risk factor for cross-contamination of food and food-contact surfaces. Restaurants found with such conditions are typically required to address them before a grade card is posted.

Inspection History

Caribbean Roti Express has been inspected multiple times in recent years. The record shows:

  • 2024-10-22: Score 13, Grade A
  • 2022-04-18: Score 39, closed by DOHMH

The 2022 closure, with a score of 39, indicates the restaurant previously operated with conditions serious enough to warrant an emergency shutdown. The 2024 inspection marked a significant improvement, with the restaurant achieving a Grade A. The January 2026 score of 24 represents a step back from that performance, though the restaurant has not been closed as a result of the current inspection.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

The DOHMH posts letter grades based on scores from sanitary inspections:

  • Grade A: 0 to 13 points
  • Grade B: 14 to 27 points
  • Grade C: 28 points or more

Scores are cumulative across all violations identified during a single inspection cycle. Restaurants may request a re-inspection before a grade is finalized.

Current inspection records for New York City restaurants are available through the DOHMH online restaurant lookup tool at nyc.gov/health.

More About This Restaurant

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