Queens, NY — Eliot Pizzeria, located at 79-22 Eliot Avenue in Middle Village, received a score of 28 during a New York City health inspection conducted on March 2, 2026, placing the restaurant in Grade C territory. The inspection identified a critical violation related to the absence of accessible hand washing facilities.

The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 6, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The sole violation cited during the inspection was classified as critical. Inspectors documented that the restaurant did not have a hand washing facility in or adjacent to the toilet room, or within 25 feet of food preparation, food service, or ware washing areas. The report further noted that hand washing facilities were not accessible, were obstructed, or were being used for non-hand washing purposes. Inspectors also cited the absence of hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure, along with missing soap or an acceptable hand-drying device.

This single critical violation — coded as 05D under DOHMH inspection protocols — was sufficient to bring the restaurant's score to 28, which falls into the Grade C range. No non-critical violations were recorded during the inspection.

Hand washing access is considered one of the most fundamental food safety requirements in any restaurant operation. Without proper hand washing facilities, employees cannot adequately sanitize their hands between handling raw ingredients, touching surfaces, or using restroom facilities — all of which are routine activities during food preparation and service.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, restaurants are required to maintain hand washing stations that are properly equipped with hot and cold running water, soap, and an acceptable means of hand drying. These stations must be accessible and located within proximity to food preparation and service areas as well as restroom facilities.

The FDA Food Code, which serves as the basis for many local health regulations, identifies proper hand hygiene as a critical control point in preventing the transmission of foodborne illness. The code specifically requires that hand washing sinks be conveniently located, always accessible, and properly supplied. These requirements exist because hand contamination is one of the leading contributing factors in foodborne illness outbreaks, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

Inspection History

Eliot Pizzeria's recent inspection record shows variability in compliance:

  • September 30, 2024: Score 12, Grade A
  • July 9, 2024: Score 29

The restaurant had achieved a Grade A score of 12 in its most recent prior inspection in September 2024, indicating strong compliance at that time. However, the July 2024 inspection also resulted in a score of 29, which similarly fell into Grade C territory. The March 2026 result represents a return to the higher violation levels seen in mid-2024 after a period of improved performance.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on violation points accumulated during inspections. Lower scores indicate fewer violations and better compliance with health regulations:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points
  • Grade B: 14–27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

A Grade C score indicates that significant violations were identified during the inspection. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection to improve their score. The grading system was implemented to give consumers clear, accessible information about restaurant food safety compliance.

It is important to note that inspection scores represent conditions observed on a specific date and time. A single inspection provides a snapshot of compliance at that moment and does not necessarily reflect the restaurant's overall food safety practices over time.

Consumers can look up the latest inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal. Eliot Pizzeria's full inspection history and any subsequent re-inspection results can be accessed through this public resource.

More About This Restaurant

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