New York, NY — Two Queens restaurants received Grade B inspection scores from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on March 24, 2026, according to public inspection records. Both establishments scored in the 14–27 point range, placing them in Grade B territory — a designation that indicates violations requiring correction but no immediate threat to public health. Both scores are currently listed as Pending, meaning the restaurants may request a re-inspection or Administrative Tribunal hearing before a final grade is posted.
The Inspections
La Cabana Peruana, a Peruvian restaurant located at 93-04 Liberty Avenue in South Ozone Park, received a score of 19 during its March 24 inspection. Inspectors documented one critical violation: evidence of mice or live mice in food or non-food areas of the establishment. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, the presence of rodents in a food service facility is classified as a critical violation because rodents can contaminate food contact surfaces, packaging, and stored ingredients with pathogens. Rodent activity is one of the violations most commonly associated with score elevation in New York City restaurant inspections, and facilities found with such evidence are typically required to submit a corrective action plan and may face a follow-up inspection.
Kelly's Bar, an American bar and food service establishment at 31-04 Crescent Street in Astoria, received a score of 15 — the lower of the two Grade B scores recorded that day. Inspectors cited two critical violations during the visit. The first involved the absence of a manager or supervisor holding a valid Food Protection Certificate, as required under NYC Health Code regulations. The FPC requirement exists to ensure that at least one person responsible for food operations on-site has completed certified food safety training. The second violation involved deficiencies in dishwashing and ware washing procedures — specifically, inadequate cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, dishes, utensils, and equipment. Proper warewashing practices are outlined in both the NYC Health Code and the FDA Food Code, which sets federal baseline standards for sanitation in food service environments.
Common Patterns
Both violations recorded at these two establishments fall into categories that inspectors frequently document across New York City. Rodent activity, as cited at La Cabana Peruana, is among the more serious critical violations in terms of public health risk, and facilities in dense urban neighborhoods face particular challenges in managing pest intrusion from surrounding structures and infrastructure.
At Kelly's Bar, the combination of a missing Food Protection Certificate and warewashing deficiencies points to gaps in food safety management — both procedural and operational. The FPC requirement is designed to establish accountability within the food service team, while sanitation of dishware and utensils directly affects the safety of food contact surfaces for every customer served.
The two establishments represent distinct neighborhood contexts within Queens: South Ozone Park is a residential and commercial corridor along Liberty Avenue in southwestern Queens, while Astoria's Crescent Street location places Kelly's Bar in one of the borough's most densely populated and restaurant-heavy neighborhoods.
What This Means for Diners
A Grade B does not mean a restaurant is unsafe to visit. Under New York City's inspection system, Grade B restaurants are required to display their grade card prominently at the entrance. They are also permitted to continue operating while they address the cited violations. The Health Department may schedule a re-inspection, and the establishment has the right to contest the score at an Administrative Tribunal.
Diners who want to review a restaurant's full inspection history — including the specific violations cited, dates of inspection, and current grade status — can do so through the NYC Department of Health's public restaurant inspection database. NYCRestaurantInspections.com also aggregates this data and provides facility pages for each establishment, making it straightforward to look up any restaurant before visiting.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City uses a letter grade system based on the number of points assessed during an unannounced inspection. Each violation carries a point value based on its severity:
- Grade A: 0–13 points. The establishment met acceptable standards, with few or no violations documented.
- Grade B: 14–27 points. Violations were cited that require correction, but no condition poses an immediate public health hazard.
- Grade C: 28 or more points. More significant violations were documented, and the establishment may be subject to additional scrutiny or closure depending on the nature of findings.
Critical violations — such as rodent evidence or improper food temperature control — carry higher point values than general violations. A single critical violation can place an otherwise compliant restaurant into Grade B range. Inspectors assess the full scope of conditions during each visit, and scores reflect the cumulative total of all violations found on that day.
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection before their grade is made official. If the score improves on re-inspection, the better grade is posted. This process is part of why many Grade B scores appear as "Pending" in the public record — as is the case with both establishments inspected on March 24.
For the most current inspection data and grade status for any New York City restaurant, visit the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's restaurant inspection lookup tool or browse facility pages directly at NYCRestaurantInspections.com.