Queens, NY — Dhanshiri Chinese, an Indian restaurant at 169-28 Hillside Avenue in Jamaica, Queens, received a Grade C score of 59 following a health inspection conducted March 26, 2026, with data released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on March 31, 2026. Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the visit.

What Inspectors Found

The more serious of the two violations cited was a critical finding under Code 06E: sanitized equipment or utensils, including in-use food dispensing utensils, were improperly used or stored. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, equipment that has been sanitized must be stored in a manner that prevents recontamination. When sanitized items come into improper contact with unsanitary surfaces, other equipment, or the hands of food handlers, the sanitation process is rendered ineffective — potentially allowing harmful bacteria to transfer to food.

The second violation, classified as non-critical, was recorded under Code 10G: deficiencies in the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment. This citation indicates that the warewashing process — the mechanical or manual cleaning of food-contact surfaces — did not meet the standards required by the health code. Proper warewashing protocols are a foundational requirement under Article 81 and are designed to eliminate pathogens that can cause foodborne illness.

Together, the two violations contributed to a score of 59, well above the 28-point threshold that results in a Grade C under the city's restaurant grading system.

Food Safety Context

New York City's restaurant inspection program, administered by the DOHMH, scores establishments based on the number and severity of violations identified during unannounced inspections. Points are assigned according to the risk level each violation poses to public health. Critical violations — those most directly linked to foodborne illness risk — carry higher point values than non-critical violations.

Code 06E violations are considered critical because improperly stored or used sanitized equipment can directly compromise food safety. The FDA Food Code, which New York City's regulations closely follow, requires that equipment and utensils be stored in a way that protects them from contamination after sanitizing. This is particularly important for items that come into direct contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Code 10G violations address the process by which that equipment is cleaned and sanitized in the first place. Deficiencies in warewashing can allow residual food particles, grease, or pathogens to remain on surfaces, which can then transfer to food during preparation or service.

Inspection History

The March 2026 inspection is part of a longer record of elevated scores at this location. Prior inspections on file with the DOHMH include:

  • December 10, 2025: Score 31 (Grade Z)
  • April 7, 2025: Score 25
  • November 13, 2024: Score 35 (Grade C)
  • June 10, 2024: Score 27
  • January 12, 2023: Score 37 (Grade C)
  • June 27, 2022: Score 33

The restaurant has received a Grade C or equivalent elevated score in four of its last six recorded inspections. A Grade Z is assigned when a restaurant scores above 27 on an initial inspection cycle and has not yet completed a re-inspection that would result in a letter grade posting.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City posts letter grades at restaurant entrances based on scores from DOHMH inspections:

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points — fewest violations
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points — some violations identified
  • Grade C: Score of 28 or more points — most violations identified

Grades reflect conditions at the time of inspection and are subject to change following re-inspections or corrective action by the establishment. Restaurants scoring above 13 on an initial inspection are typically re-inspected within 30 to 60 days, at which point a letter grade is posted based on that second visit.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH's public database at the NYC Open Data portal or through the city's Restaurant Inspection Results search tool. Inspection records include violation codes, scores, and posted grades for all inspections on file.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Dhanshiri Chinese including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.