Queens, NY — Cuppa Tea, a coffee and tea shop located at 42-61 Hunter Street in Long Island City, received a score of 28 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 18, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, a notable decline from its previous Grade A rating.
The inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 20, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified one critical violation at the establishment:
Wiping cloths were not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses (violation code 06F). This violation is classified as critical because improperly stored wiping cloths can harbor and spread harmful bacteria across food contact surfaces, preparation areas, and equipment. When wiping cloths are not maintained in an approved sanitizing solution — typically a bleach, quaternary ammonium, or iodine-based solution at the correct concentration — they can become a vehicle for cross-contamination.
No non-critical violations were documented during this inspection cycle.
Food Safety Context
The requirement for proper wiping cloth storage is established under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishment sanitation standards. The regulation aligns with the FDA Food Code, which specifies that wiping cloths used for cleaning food contact surfaces must be stored in a sanitizing solution of appropriate concentration between uses, or laundered and stored dry if not in active use.
The FDA Food Code classifies improper wiping cloth practices as a risk factor for foodborne illness because contaminated cloths can transfer pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria to surfaces that come into direct contact with food and beverages. For a coffee and tea establishment, this includes countertops, brewing equipment surfaces, and serving areas.
Proper sanitizing solution concentrations as outlined by the FDA Food Code include chlorine solutions at 50-100 ppm, quaternary ammonium compounds at 150-200 ppm, or iodine solutions at 12.5-25 ppm. Cloths must remain fully submerged in the solution when not in active use.
Inspection History
Cuppa Tea's prior inspection record shows fluctuation in compliance scores:
- August 5, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
- March 13, 2024: Score 44
The establishment earned a Grade A in its most recent prior inspection in August 2024, with a score of 12 — well within the top-tier range. However, the March 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 44, indicating a history of occasional compliance challenges. The current score of 28 represents a regression from the Grade A status achieved in August 2024.
It should be noted that the action recorded for this inspection was "Violations were cited in the following area(s)," indicating that the establishment was not closed as a result of the inspection and may continue to operate while addressing the cited violations.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points accumulated during an inspection. Each violation carries a predetermined point value, with critical violations generally carrying higher point values than non-critical ones:
- A: 0-13 points
- B: 14-27 points
- C: 28 or more points
A score of 28 places Cuppa Tea at the threshold of Grade C. Restaurants that receive a grade below A have the option to request a re-inspection or appear before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) to contest the findings. During any adjudication period, the establishment may display a "Grade Pending" sign rather than the letter grade.
Restaurants are required to post their current letter grade in a location visible to the public, typically near the entrance.
Public Resources
Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is publicly accessible online. The database includes detailed violation descriptions, scores, and grades for all inspected food service establishments.
The inspection data referenced in this article is drawn from official DOHMH public records. Inspection scores represent conditions observed at the time of the inspection and may not reflect the current state of the establishment.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Cuppa Tea including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.