Brooklyn, NY — A routine health inspection at Gmc Temaxcal Deli & Grocery, a Mexican restaurant and deli located at 163 Park Avenue in Brooklyn, resulted in a Grade B after inspectors recorded a score of 23 — placing the establishment near the upper boundary of the B range and within four points of a Grade C. The inspection was conducted on March 25, 2026, with data released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 30, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors cited one critical violation during the March inspection. The violation, classified under Code 04H, documented that raw, cooked, or prepared food was adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) plan.
Critical violations are those the DOHMH considers most likely to contribute to foodborne illness. A score of 23 — while technically within the Grade B range — sits closer to the Grade C threshold than the Grade A boundary, indicating a meaningful departure from top compliance standards.
No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.
Food Safety Context
The violation cited falls under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food safety standards for all food service establishments operating in the five boroughs. Article 81 requires that food be protected from contamination at every stage of handling, storage, and preparation. HACCP plans, referenced in the Code 04H citation, are structured protocols that identify and control potential food safety hazards throughout the preparation process.
The FDA Food Code, which serves as the foundation for many local regulations, similarly classifies food adulteration and cross-contamination as priority violations requiring immediate corrective action.
Inspection History
The March 2026 result represents a significant shift from the restaurant's most recent prior inspection. A review of DOHMH records shows the following history:
- March 21, 2025: Score 13, Grade A
- March 11, 2024: Score 37, Grade C
- May 16, 2023: Score 48
- April 12, 2022: Score 12, Grade A
The pattern indicates variability over the past four inspection cycles. The restaurant earned Grade A scores in both 2022 and 2025, but also recorded a Grade C in 2024 and a score of 48 in 2023. The current score of 23 falls between those stronger results and the restaurant's lower-performing years.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
DOHMH assigns letter grades to restaurants following inspections based on the total point score. Points are assessed for each violation identified, with higher-risk violations carrying greater point values. The grading scale is as follows:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
A score of 23 falls within the Grade B band but is four points from the Grade C threshold, leaving limited margin before a lower grade would be issued.
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C may request a re-inspection or administrative hearing. The current grade card must be publicly posted at the restaurant entrance.
Current inspection records for all NYC food service establishments are publicly available through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database at nyc.gov.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Gmc Temaxcal Deli & Grocery including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.