Staten Island, NY — Cinco De Mayo, a Latin American restaurant located at 2110 Clove Road in Staten Island, received a score of 29 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted on February 25, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, marking a significant decline from its prior inspection results.
The inspection identified one critical violation and one non-critical violation. The data was released by DOHMH on February 27, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The critical violation cited during the inspection involved personal cleanliness standards. Under violation code 06A, inspectors documented that personal cleanliness was inadequate. Specific findings included outer garments soiled with a possible contaminant, the absence of effective hair restraints where required, jewelry worn on hands or arms, and fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed.
Personal hygiene violations are classified as critical because direct contact between food handlers and food products creates a pathway for contamination. Soiled garments, unsecured hair, and improperly maintained hands can all introduce biological or physical contaminants into food during preparation and service.
The non-critical violation, cited under code 10G, involved deficiencies in dishwashing and ware washing procedures. Inspectors found that the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware — including dishes, utensils, and equipment — was not meeting required standards. While classified as non-critical, improper sanitization of food-contact surfaces can contribute to the spread of foodborne pathogens if not corrected.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the sanitary standards that all food service establishments in New York City must follow. Personal hygiene requirements for food handlers are among the most fundamental provisions, as they serve as a first line of defense against contamination. The FDA Food Code similarly emphasizes that food employees must maintain adequate personal cleanliness, including clean outer garments, proper hair restraints, clean and trimmed fingernails, and the removal of jewelry from hands and arms during food preparation.
The dishwashing deficiency noted during the inspection relates to requirements for proper cleaning and sanitization of all food-contact surfaces. Both city and federal guidelines specify minimum temperature and chemical concentration standards for ware washing to ensure that harmful bacteria are eliminated from surfaces that come into contact with food.
Inspection History
The Grade C score of 29 represents a notable departure from Cinco De Mayo's recent inspection record. The restaurant's prior inspections show a mixed but generally improving trend before this most recent visit:
- November 14, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
- June 17, 2024: Score 22
- February 14, 2023: Score 5 (Grade A)
- October 26, 2022: Score 23
The restaurant had achieved a Grade A score of 12 in its most recent prior inspection in November 2024, and its best recorded score was a 5 in February 2023. The current score of 29 is the highest — and therefore worst — score documented in the restaurant's available inspection history.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection. Each violation carries a specific point value based on its severity and the condition observed:
- Grade A: 0-13 points
- Grade B: 14-27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
A Grade C indicates that inspectors found conditions that resulted in 28 or more total violation points. Restaurants receiving a grade below A have the option to request a re-inspection or contest the results through an administrative tribunal hearing at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
Restaurant inspection results, including scores, grades, and specific violations, are public record and available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history on the NYC DOHMH website or through the NYC Open Data portal.
The next scheduled inspection for Cinco De Mayo will be determined by DOHMH based on its standard re-inspection cycle. Restaurants receiving Grade C scores are typically prioritized for follow-up inspections.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Cinco De Mayo including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.