Queens, NY — Golden Lake Pavilion, a Chinese restaurant at 60-15 Main Street in Flushing, received a score of 36 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 21, 2026. A score of 36 places the establishment in the Grade C range, which begins at 28 points. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 23, 2026.
The inspection identified one critical violation and one non-critical violation.
What Inspectors Found
The critical violation — the more serious of the two — involved cold temperature control for safety (TCS) foods. Inspectors documented that cold TCS food items were held above 41°F, the maximum allowable temperature under food safety standards. Keeping cold foods at or below 41°F is a fundamental requirement designed to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and Staphylococcus aureus, which can multiply rapidly in the 41°F–135°F "temperature danger zone."
Inspectors also cited a non-critical violation under Code 10B, related to drainage and liquid waste. Specifically, the inspection noted that equipment or flooring was not properly drained, or that condensation and liquid waste were not disposed of appropriately. While classified as non-critical, drainage deficiencies can contribute to unsanitary conditions if left unaddressed.
Food Safety Context
New York City restaurants are subject to inspections under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food handling, storage, preparation, and sanitation in food service establishments. The cold food temperature requirement cited in this inspection corresponds to FDA Food Code provisions that form the basis of Article 81's standards.
Cold TCS foods — a category that includes items such as meat, poultry, dairy, cooked vegetables, and cut fruits — must be maintained at 41°F or below to limit bacterial growth. A failure to meet this standard is classified as a critical violation because it directly increases the risk of foodborne illness.
Each violation is assigned a point value. Critical violations typically carry higher point values than non-critical ones. A restaurant's final score determines its letter grade: a lower score indicates better compliance.
Inspection History
Golden Lake Pavilion has a documented pattern of elevated inspection scores over the past several years. The inspection history on file with DOHMH is as follows:
- March 21, 2026: Score 36 (Grade C)
- December 4, 2025: Score 52 (Grade Z)
- September 23, 2025: Score 58
- June 20, 2025: Score not graded
- December 3, 2024: Score 24
- March 25, 2024: Score 37
- September 13, 2023: Score 31 (Grade C)
- August 16, 2023: Score 56
The December 2024 inspection produced the establishment's lowest recent score of 24 — a Grade B — but scores have risen significantly in subsequent inspections. The current score of 36 is consistent with results recorded in early 2024 and mid-2023.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's letter grade system is based on the total number of points assessed during an inspection:
- A: 0–13 points — indicates substantial compliance with food safety standards
- B: 14–27 points — indicates some violations were found
- C: 28 or more points — indicates more significant violations were documented
Following an inspection that results in a score of 14 or higher, a restaurant may request a re-inspection before a final grade is assigned. The grade posted at the entrance reflects the most recent graded inspection or re-inspection result. Grade Z and Grade N designations are used during interim periods when a final grade has not yet been issued.
Consumers can look up the full inspection history for any NYC restaurant — including violation details and scores — through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection lookup tool at the NYC Open Data portal. Inspection records are public and updated regularly as new inspection data is released.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Golden Lake Pavilion including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.