Queens, NY — El Paso, a Latin American restaurant located at 35-64 95th Street in Jackson Heights, Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on April 8, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 56, placing the establishment in the C grade range. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 10, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the April 8 inspection, inspectors cited one critical violation at El Paso:

  • Code 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

This violation is classified as critical under New York City's inspection framework, meaning it presents a direct potential risk to public health. According to DOHMH, violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection, as is standard procedure when an establishment is closed by the agency.

The presence of rodent activity in food service environments is among the more serious conditions inspectors can document. Mice can contaminate food, food contact surfaces, and storage areas, and can contribute to the spread of foodborne illness pathogens including Salmonella and Hantavirus.

Food Safety Context

New York City restaurants are inspected at least once per year under the city's restaurant grading program, administered by DOHMH in accordance with NYC Health Code Article 81. The program uses a points-based scoring system in which lower scores reflect fewer violations.

When inspectors identify violations that pose an immediate public health risk — including evidence of rodent activity — they are authorized to close an establishment on the spot. The closure remains in effect until the operator corrects the cited conditions and passes a re-inspection.

Under the FDA Food Code, which informs many of the standards embedded in NYC's health code, effective pest control is a baseline operational requirement for all food service establishments. Facilities are expected to maintain physical barriers against pests, eliminate harborage conditions, and work with licensed pest control operators when evidence of infestation is found.

A score of 56 significantly exceeds the threshold for a C grade. Under the NYC grading system, a score at this level typically reflects multiple compounding issues, though in this case inspectors documented one critical violation with no non-critical violations recorded.

Inspection History

El Paso has a mixed inspection record over the past several years. Prior inspections on file with DOHMH include:

  • October 23, 2025: Score 83
  • February 12, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • March 3, 2023: Score 45

The October 2025 inspection, which produced a score of 83, represents the restaurant's worst recorded result prior to the current closure. The February 2024 inspection, by contrast, resulted in a score of 13 — well within the range for a Grade A, indicating the restaurant has demonstrated the ability to meet city health standards. The pattern of widely varying scores across inspection cycles suggests inconsistent compliance over time.

The current score of 56 falls between those two extremes but is serious enough to have prompted closure action.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system translates inspection scores into grades posted at restaurant entrances. The grades are defined as follows:

  • A: Score of 0–13 points (fewest violations)
  • B: Score of 14–27 points
  • C: Score of 28 or more points

A score of 56, as recorded at El Paso on April 8, places the establishment firmly in C territory. Restaurants that are closed during an inspection do not receive a letter grade for that visit. Upon reinspection, if the establishment scores within the A range, it may post an A grade; scores in the B or C range result in the corresponding letter grade being posted.

Restaurants closed by DOHMH must correct all conditions cited by inspectors before requesting a reinspection. The timeline for reopening depends on how quickly the operator can demonstrate compliance.

More About This Restaurant

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