Staten Island, NY — Casa Blanca Restaurant, a Spanish eatery located at 155 Lafayette Avenue, was ordered closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on February 25, 2026, following a health inspection that documented conditions conducive to pest activity. The establishment received a score of 12 points, which falls within the A grade range, but was shut down due to violations requiring immediate corrective action.
This marks the second closure for Casa Blanca Restaurant within a two-week period. Inspection records show the restaurant was previously closed on February 10, 2026, when it received a score of 72 points and a Grade N designation. The data was released by DOHMH on February 27, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 25 inspection, health officials documented one non-critical violation related to pest control. Inspectors cited the establishment under violation code 08A for failing to maintain conditions free of harborage or environments conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests.
According to the inspection report, the violations cited required immediate action, which were addressed before the establishment could be considered for reopening. The closure designation indicates that DOHMH inspectors identified conditions that posed a potential risk to public health and required the restaurant to cease operations until corrective measures were implemented.
While the violation was classified as non-critical, the closure action reflects the department's authority to shut down food service establishments when conditions requiring immediate attention are documented, regardless of overall scoring. The restaurant received no critical violations during this inspection.
Food Safety Context
Pest control requirements for New York City food service establishments are outlined in NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food preparation and food establishment sanitation. These regulations mandate that all food service operators maintain their premises in a manner that prevents pest infestation and eliminates conditions that could attract or harbor rodents, insects, or other vermin.
The FDA Food Code, which serves as a model for local health regulations, identifies pest presence and conducive conditions as significant health hazards because pests can contaminate food contact surfaces, stored food products, and food preparation areas. Rodents and insects are known vectors for pathogens that can cause foodborne illness.
Conditions conducive to pest activity may include improper food storage, inadequate waste management, structural deficiencies that allow pest entry, moisture issues, or insufficient cleaning practices. Health inspectors assess these factors during routine inspections and can require immediate corrective action when such conditions are documented.
Inspection History
Public records show Casa Blanca Restaurant has undergone multiple health inspections in recent months, with varying outcomes:
- February 25, 2026: Score 12, Grade A range, Closed by DOHMH
- February 10, 2026: Score 72, Grade N, Closed by DOHMH
- June 18, 2025: Score 31, Grade N
The Grade N designation indicates the establishment was not yet graded at the time of inspection. In New York City's inspection system, initial inspections may result in an N grade, with a follow-up inspection scheduled to determine the final letter grade posted publicly.
The February 10 inspection resulted in a significantly higher score of 72 points, well above the threshold for any passing grade. That inspection also resulted in a closure order. The most recent February 25 inspection showed substantial improvement, with the score dropping to 12 points—within the A grade range of 0-13 points—though the establishment was still ordered closed due to the specific nature of the violations requiring immediate action.
The June 2025 inspection recorded a score of 31 points, corresponding to the Grade N designation at that time.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City requires food service establishments to post letter grades based on inspection scores. The grading system works as follows:
- A Grade: 0 to 13 points (lowest violation score)
- B Grade: 14 to 27 points
- C Grade: 28 points or more (highest violation score)
Lower scores indicate fewer violations and better compliance with health and safety standards. Establishments can be closed regardless of their score if inspectors document violations requiring immediate corrective action, particularly those related to vermin activity, temperature control failures, or conditions posing imminent health risks.
Restaurants that receive closure orders must address all cited violations and pass a reinspection before resuming operations. The DOHMH conducts follow-up inspections to verify compliance before authorizing reopening.
Public Health Resources
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene maintains a publicly accessible database of restaurant inspection results at nyc.gov/health. Residents can search for any food service establishment by name, address, or borough to view current grades, inspection scores, and violation details.
Consumers with food safety concerns about any restaurant can file complaints through the 311 system, either by phone or through the NYC311 mobile application. The department investigates all complaints and may conduct inspections based on reported issues.
Information about foodborne illness symptoms and reporting is available through the DOHMH website. Individuals who believe they became ill from food consumed at a restaurant are encouraged to contact the department to file a report, which helps officials identify potential outbreaks and patterns of non-compliance.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Casa Blanca Restaurant including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.