New York, NY — Two Queens restaurants received Grade B inspection scores from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on March 25, 2026, with scores averaging 17.5 points. Both establishments fell within the Grade B range, indicating violations that require correction but do not represent an immediate threat to public health.

The Inspections

In the Flushing area, Fitrition, a juice, smoothies, and fruit salad bar located at 32-55 Francis Lewis Boulevard, received a score of 19 — the higher of the two scores recorded that day. The establishment was cited for a critical violation: a Food Protection Certificate (FPC) was not held by a manager or supervisor of food operations on-site. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, at least one manager or supervisor at each food service establishment must hold a valid Food Protection Certificate, which requires completing an approved food safety course. The absence of a certified manager is considered a critical violation because trained supervisory oversight is a key control point for preventing foodborne illness.

In Jamaica, Crown Fried Chicken, located at 87-92 Parsons Boulevard, scored a 16 — the lower score of the day and closer to the Grade A threshold. Inspectors documented two violations: non-food contact surfaces or equipment were found to be made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed or raised; and the establishment was found not to be free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. The second violation, related to pest harborage conditions, is a recurring concern in commercial food service environments and is taken seriously under both the NYC Health Code and FDA Food Code guidelines. Neither violation rose to the level of an immediately hazardous condition, but both require corrective action.

Common Patterns

Despite the small sample size of two restaurants, the March 25 inspections reflect a couple of themes common across NYC restaurant inspections. First, management certification gaps — as seen at Fitrition — represent one of the most frequently cited critical violations citywide. The Food Protection Certificate requirement exists to ensure that someone with formal food safety training is supervising operations at all times.

Second, the violations at Crown Fried Chicken — involving equipment condition and pest harborage — fall into the physical environment and maintenance category, which tends to be more prevalent in high-volume, quick-service establishments. Chicken-focused restaurants operate with significant throughput and grease accumulation, which can make pest prevention and surface maintenance more challenging without consistent protocols.

The two restaurants span different cuisine categories — a health-focused juice bar and a fried chicken counter — and different Queens neighborhoods, suggesting the citations on this date were not concentrated in any single area or food service type.

What This Means for Diners

A Grade B score does not mean a restaurant is unsafe to visit. The NYC grading system is designed to be transparent, not punitive, and a Grade B reflects violations that the Department of Health has noted for correction. Restaurants receiving a Grade B or C have the option to request a re-inspection before a grade is officially posted, which is why some establishments display a "Grade Pending" notice rather than a letter grade while that process plays out. Crown Fried Chicken's grade was listed as Pending at the time of this inspection.

Diners can look up inspection records for any NYC restaurant at any time through the NYC Health Department's restaurant inspection database. Each listing includes scores, violation descriptions, and inspection history, giving the public full visibility into how an establishment has performed over time.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City uses a point-based scoring system administered by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to rate food service establishments:

  • Grade A: A score of 0–13 points. Represents the highest level of compliance with health code standards.
  • Grade B: A score of 14–27 points. Violations were identified that need to be corrected but do not pose an immediate public health hazard.
  • Grade C: A score of 28 or more points. Indicates more significant violations requiring prompt corrective action.

Inspections are unannounced and conducted by trained Department of Health sanitarians. Restaurants are scored on a range of factors including food temperature control, personal hygiene, facility maintenance, pest prevention, and food source documentation. Critical violations — those with a direct link to foodborne illness risk — carry higher point values than general violations.

Both restaurants inspected on March 25 fell within the Grade B range, meaning neither reached the threshold for a Grade C. Still, both are expected to address the documented violations, and follow-up inspections may be conducted to verify compliance.

Diners seeking to check the current grade or full inspection history of any restaurant in New York City can visit the NYC Department of Health's online lookup tool or search the establishment's name in the city's open data portal.