Queens, NY — El Kambuche De Lola, a Latin American restaurant located at 5406 Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on June 11, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 73, placing the establishment well within C-grade range under the city's restaurant grading system. The violation cited during the inspection was classified as critical and required immediate corrective action.

DOHMH released the inspection data on June 12, 2026, one day after the closure took place.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one critical violation during the June 11 inspection, recorded under Code 04A: the absence of a Food Protection Certificate (FPC) held by a manager or supervisor of food operations.

Under New York City Health Code Article 81 and DOHMH requirements, at least one manager or supervisor on-site during food service operations must hold a valid Food Protection Certificate. This credential, issued by the DOHMH, requires completion of an approved food protection course and a passing score on a written exam. The certificate is designed to ensure that someone with documented knowledge of safe food handling, temperature control, contamination prevention, and proper hygiene practices is present and accountable during operations.

The FPC requirement exists because managerial oversight is a recognized control point in preventing foodborne illness. When a certified supervisor is present, they are expected to monitor and correct food handling practices in real time. The absence of this certification does not necessarily indicate that unsafe practices were observed directly, but it does mean that the supervisory safeguard required by law was not in place at the time of inspection.

The single critical violation was sufficient to drive the establishment's score to 73, triggering both the C-grade designation and the closure order. Inspectors noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of inspection, which is a standard component of the DOHMH closure and remediation process.

Food Safety Context

The Food Protection Certificate requirement is rooted in both local and federal food safety frameworks. NYC Health Code Article 81 mandates food protection training and certification for supervisory personnel at food service establishments operating in the five boroughs. This aligns with guidance from the FDA Food Code, which recommends that food establishments employ at least one person in charge who demonstrates knowledge of foodborne illness prevention and food safety principles.

The certificate is not simply a procedural formality. It represents a baseline standard for supervisory competency in food safety. DOHMH enforcement of this requirement is consistent across inspections — failure to produce evidence of certification during an inspection results in a critical violation regardless of the establishment's other practices.

DOHMH inspectors are authorized under the New York City Administrative Code to issue closure orders when conditions pose a public health risk or when certain critical violations are identified. Closures remain in effect until the establishment demonstrates corrective action and passes a re-inspection. In cases involving administrative violations such as missing certifications, the path to reopening typically involves producing the required documentation or ensuring a certified individual is present during operations.

Inspection History

According to DOHMH records, no prior inspection history is available for El Kambuche De Lola at this location. This may indicate that the establishment is newly opened, recently licensed, or operating under a new business entity at this address. The June 11, 2026 inspection represents the first recorded entry in the public DOHMH database for this location.

First inspections can result in higher scores in part because restaurant operators may not yet be fully familiar with the scope and detail of DOHMH inspection criteria. However, the FPC requirement is a foundational compliance item that is publicly documented and widely communicated to food service operators during the licensing process.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the point score recorded during an unannounced inspection. Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations.

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • Grade C: Score of 28 points or higher

A score of 73 falls well above the C-grade threshold. Establishments that receive a score in the B or C range during an initial inspection are typically scheduled for a re-inspection within a defined window. The grade posted in the restaurant window reflects the most recent adjudicated result, which may differ from the initial inspection score if the re-inspection produces a lower score.

Restaurants that are closed by DOHMH must address all violations cited before they can resume operations. A re-inspection is required to confirm compliance, and the establishment may then be issued an official grade based on the outcome.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for El Kambuche De Lola including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.