Queens, NY — El Sol De Mexico Deli Grocery, located at 95-09 Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted June 2, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 79, which places the establishment in the C grade range under the city's restaurant grading system. The closure was ordered after violations requiring immediate action were identified, including evidence of mice in the facility.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited two violations during the June 2, 2026 visit — one critical and one non-critical.

The critical violation, Code 04L, documented evidence of mice or live mice in food and non-food areas of the establishment. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, the presence of rodents in a food service establishment constitutes a significant public health risk, as rodents are known carriers of pathogens including Salmonella and Leptospira. This type of violation triggers an immediate closure order when inspectors determine that conditions pose a threat to public health.

The non-critical violation, Code 08C, documented improper pesticide use or storage. Specifically, inspectors noted an unprotected, unlocked bait station on the premises. NYC Health Code and FDA Food Code guidelines require that pesticides and toxic chemicals used in food service settings be properly labeled, stored, and applied only by licensed individuals. Unlocked bait stations create secondary exposure risks when accessible to the public, staff, or the food supply.

DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection, though the establishment remained closed pending reinspection and compliance.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, all food service establishments in New York City are subject to unannounced inspections by DOHMH. Inspectors assess compliance across a range of food safety categories, including food handling and temperature control, facility sanitation, pest management, and employee hygiene practices.

The FDA Food Code, which informs New York City's inspection standards, classifies rodent activity as a high-priority concern because of the direct risk of foodborne illness transmission. Rodents can contaminate food contact surfaces, packaging, and stored ingredients through droppings, urine, and physical contact.

Pest control in food service settings is also governed by Integrated Pest Management (IPM) requirements. Bait stations must be tamper-resistant, properly labeled, and placed so they do not create additional hazards — requirements that inspectors found were not met during this visit.

When a DOHMH inspector identifies a critical violation that poses an immediate hazard, the agency has authority to order an establishment closed until conditions are corrected. A reinspection is then scheduled, and the establishment may reopen once it is found to be in compliance.

Inspection History

El Sol De Mexico Deli Grocery has a mixed compliance record over the past several years. Prior inspections on file with DOHMH show the following:

  • December 15, 2025: Score 20 (Grade B range)
  • March 12, 2024: Score 4 (Grade A)
  • May 4, 2023: Score 40 (Grade C range)
  • March 29, 2022: Score 12 (Grade A)

The establishment had received a Grade A as recently as March 2024, indicating that compliance has varied across inspection cycles. The December 2025 visit resulted in a score of 20, which falls within the Grade B range. The current score of 79 represents a significant increase from that most recent inspection.

Inspection data for this visit was released by DOHMH on June 4, 2026, two days after the inspection was conducted. There may be a gap between when conditions were corrected and when this data became publicly available.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City uses a letter grading system based on the numerical score an establishment receives during inspection. Scores are calculated by assigning point values to each violation found, with critical violations carrying higher point totals.

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

A score of 79 places El Sol De Mexico Deli Grocery well within the Grade C range. Establishments that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are typically reinspected within 30 to 60 days. The grade posted at the door reflects the most recent completed inspection cycle.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection results database at the NYC Open Data portal or through the city's official health department website. Inspection records are public and updated regularly as new data is processed.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for El Sol De Mexico Deli Grocery including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.