Staten Island, NY — El Paso Pizzeria & Deli, located at 358 Targee Street in Staten Island, received a Grade C following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on April 6, 2026. Inspectors documented a score of 55, well above the 28-point threshold that results in a C grade. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 8, 2026.

The inspection identified one critical violation related to hand-washing access, a foundational requirement under food safety law.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited the restaurant under violation code 05D, which addresses hand-washing facility availability and accessibility. The violation covers a range of conditions including the absence of a hand-washing sink in or adjacent to the toilet room, or within 25 feet of food preparation, food service, or ware washing areas. It also encompasses situations where a hand-washing facility is present but obstructed, inaccessible, or being used for purposes other than hand washing. Additionally, the code applies where hot and cold running water is unavailable, where water pressure is inadequate, or where soap or an acceptable hand-drying device is not provided.

The specific conditions documented at El Paso Pizzeria & Deli were not itemized beyond the code citation, which is standard in DOHMH inspection records. However, a code 05D violation is classified as critical because it directly relates to the prevention of foodborne illness through proper hand hygiene.

Food Safety Context

Hand-washing requirements are among the most fundamental standards in food service operations. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain accessible, properly equipped hand-washing stations in areas where food is handled or prepared. These requirements align with the FDA Food Code, which identifies inadequate hand-washing facilities as a contributing factor to foodborne illness outbreaks.

The DOHMH classifies violations as either critical or general. Critical violations are those most likely to contribute directly to foodborne illness if not corrected. A score of 55 reflects the weighted severity of the violation identified, as the DOHMH scoring system assigns higher point values to critical violations. Establishments that score 28 or higher at the time of inspection receive a C grade, which must be posted publicly at the restaurant entrance.

It is worth noting that not all violations result in immediate closure. In this case, the inspection action recorded was that violations were cited, indicating the establishment remained open with an obligation to correct the identified conditions.

Inspection History

El Paso Pizzeria & Deli has a limited recent inspection record in the DOHMH dataset:

  • April 6, 2026: Score 55 (Grade C), one critical violation cited
  • April 14, 2026: Score 8 (Grade A)

The April 14 re-inspection, conducted eight days after the initial visit, resulted in a significantly improved score of 8, placing the establishment firmly in Grade A range. This follow-up result suggests the conditions identified on April 6 were addressed ahead of or during the subsequent inspection. Under DOHMH procedures, restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection are typically offered a re-inspection before a final grade is assigned and posted.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system is based on the total point score assigned during a DOHMH inspection. Each violation carries a point value based on its type and severity. The grade thresholds are:

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

Restaurants have the option to request a re-inspection rather than immediately posting a B or C grade, which is the standard pathway that appears to have been followed in this case, given the subsequent Grade A result.

Additional Resources

New York City restaurant inspection records are publicly available through the DOHMH's online database. Diners can search inspection history, violation details, and current grades for any permitted food service establishment in the five boroughs. The DOHMH also maintains a grading FAQ that explains how scores are calculated and how restaurants can contest violations.

More About This Restaurant

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