New York, NY — Two Chinese restaurants in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens received Grade B inspection scores on March 4, 2026, according to New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene records. The two establishments recorded an average score of 17 points, placing both within the Grade B range of 14 to 27 points under the city's restaurant grading system.
The inspections identified violations related to handwashing facilities, pest activity, and missing required signage. Both restaurants are located within blocks of each other in the Flushing commercial district, one of the most densely concentrated dining areas in Queens.
The Inspections
Iykyk Chinese Restaurant, located at 35-28 Farrington Street in Flushing, received a score of 18 points. Inspectors documented two critical violations at the establishment. The first cited the absence of a hand washing facility in or adjacent to the toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service, or warewashing area. This violation was noted twice during the inspection, indicating the issue was identified in multiple areas of the restaurant. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, adequate handwashing stations must be accessible to food handlers at all times to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of foodborne illness.
The second critical violation at Iykyk Chinese Restaurant involved missing required signage. Inspectors found that the "Choking first aid" poster was not posted, and the "Alcohol and Pregnancy" warning sign was not displayed. Restaurants serving alcohol in New York City are required to post these notices in conspicuous locations under local health regulations.
Yu Xiang Yuan Restaurant, situated at 37-11 Main Street in Flushing, recorded a score of 16 points. This establishment also received two critical violations. The most notable was evidence of rats or live rats found in the establishment's food or non-food areas. Pest activity, particularly rodent presence, is among the most serious violations tracked by the Health Department, as rats can contaminate food supplies and food preparation surfaces with pathogens that cause salmonella, leptospirosis, and other illnesses.
The second critical violation at Yu Xiang Yuan cited a failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information. New York City requires restaurants to display calorie and nutritional information in compliance with local transparency regulations designed to help consumers make informed dining choices.
Common Patterns
Several patterns emerge from the March 4 inspection results in Queens. Both restaurants serve Chinese cuisine and are located in the Flushing neighborhood, a major hub for Asian dining in New York City. The geographic concentration suggests that these inspections may have been part of a routine sweep of the area by Health Department inspectors.
Signage violations appeared at both establishments. Iykyk Chinese Restaurant was cited for missing choking first aid and alcohol-pregnancy warning signs, while Yu Xiang Yuan was cited for failing to post healthy eating information. While these violations may seem minor compared to food safety issues, they are weighted in the scoring system because they reflect compliance with public health communication requirements.
The violations also reflect two distinct categories of concern. The handwashing facility issues documented at Iykyk Chinese Restaurant fall under sanitation infrastructure, a foundational element of food safety. The rodent evidence found at Yu Xiang Yuan Restaurant falls under pest management, which the Health Department considers one of the most significant risk factors for foodborne illness in restaurant settings.
Both restaurants received a grade of "N," indicating that these were initial inspection scores not yet converted to a posted letter grade. Under the NYC grading system, restaurants that score in the B or C range on an initial inspection have the option to be re-inspected before a final grade is posted.
What This Means for Diners
A Grade B score indicates that a restaurant had violations that need to be corrected but do not pose an immediate threat to public health. Restaurants receiving a B on their initial inspection can request a re-inspection, during which they have the opportunity to address the cited violations and potentially achieve a lower score.
Diners who wish to review the full inspection history of any restaurant in New York City can do so through the NYC Department of Health's online restaurant inspection portal. Each establishment's complete record, including all past inspections, violation details, and adjudication outcomes, is publicly available.
For the two Flushing restaurants cited on March 4, diners can monitor whether the establishments address the documented violations during subsequent inspections. Handwashing facility access and pest management are issues that restaurants can typically resolve through infrastructure improvements and professional pest control services.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection. A score of 0 to 13 points earns a Grade A, indicating the restaurant is in substantial compliance with food safety regulations. A score of 14 to 27 points results in a Grade B, while a score of 28 points or higher results in a Grade C.
Each violation carries a specific point value based on its severity and the condition observed. Critical violations, such as pest activity or inadequate handwashing facilities, carry higher point values than general violations. The system is designed to provide consumers with a quick, visible indicator of a restaurant's compliance with health standards.
Restaurants are required to post their current letter grade in a conspicuous location near the entrance. Diners can also search inspection results online at the NYC Department of Health website or through the NYCRestaurantInspections.com database, which provides detailed records for every inspected food establishment in the five boroughs.