Queens, NY — El Sabor Del Rancho Corp, a Mexican restaurant at 41-21 58th Street in Woodside, received a Grade B following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted on April 3, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 22, placing the restaurant near the upper boundary of the B range and five points from the Grade C threshold.
What Inspectors Found
The inspection identified two violations — one critical and one non-critical — both related to food contact surfaces.
The critical violation, cited under Code 06D, documented that food contact surfaces were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use or following activities during which contamination may have occurred. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, food contact surfaces — including cutting boards, prep tables, slicers, and utensils — must be cleaned and sanitized at defined intervals to prevent cross-contamination and the potential transfer of pathogens to food.
The non-critical violation, cited under Code 09C, noted that the design, construction, materials, or maintenance of a food contact surface was improper, rendering it not easily cleanable or maintainable. Surfaces that cannot be effectively cleaned present a persistent sanitation challenge, as residue and bacteria may accumulate in cracks, grooves, or deteriorated materials even after routine cleaning attempts.
Together, the two violations contributed a score of 22 — five points below the Grade C cutoff of 28.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food safety practices for all restaurants operating in New York City. The FDA Food Code, which the city's standards align with, classifies inadequate sanitization of food contact surfaces as a significant risk factor for foodborne illness, capable of facilitating the spread of bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli.
A critical violation is defined as one that directly contributes to the risk of foodborne illness. Non-critical violations, while less immediately dangerous, can compound sanitation risks if left unaddressed.
Inspection History
El Sabor Del Rancho Corp's recent inspection record shows variability in scores:
- February 20, 2026: Score 27 (Grade B)
- December 24, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
- October 29, 2024: Score 48 (Grade pending)
- August 9, 2023: Score 12 (Grade A)
The restaurant earned Grade A scores in both August 2023 and December 2024, indicating the capacity to maintain a strong compliance record. However, the October 2024 score of 48 and the two most recent scores of 27 and 22 reflect a pattern of elevated results. The current score of 22 is an improvement from the prior cycle's 27 but remains in the upper portion of the B range.
DOHMH released this inspection data on April 6, 2026, three days after the inspection was conducted.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system is based on inspection scores, with lower scores reflecting fewer violations:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Grades must be posted in a visible location at the restaurant entrance. Consumers can look up full inspection records, including violation details and score history, through the DOHMH's NYC Restaurant Inspection Results database at nyc.gov.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for El Sabor Del Rancho Corp including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.