Queens, NY — Guac Shop Mexican Grill at 271-18 Union Turnpike received a Grade B health score of 21 points during a New York City health inspection conducted on March 10, 2026. Inspectors documented one critical violation related to personal cleanliness standards.

What Inspectors Found

The inspection identified a critical violation under Code 06A, which addresses personal cleanliness requirements for food service workers. Inspectors documented multiple hygiene deficiencies including inadequate hair restraints, jewelry worn on hands or arms during food handling, outer garments soiled with possible contaminants, and fingernail polish or improperly maintained fingernails.

These violations fall under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes mandatory food protection standards for all food service establishments operating in the city. The code requires workers who handle food to maintain strict personal hygiene to prevent contamination of food products.

Food Safety Context

Personal cleanliness violations are classified as critical because they create direct risk pathways for foodborne illness transmission. The FDA Food Code identifies personal hygiene as a foundational element of food safety, requiring that food handlers maintain clean hands and exposed portions of arms, wear effective hair restraints, and avoid wearing jewelry that cannot be adequately sanitized.

Hair restraints prevent physical contamination of food, while restrictions on jewelry address both physical hazards and surfaces that can harbor bacteria. Fingernail polish and artificial nails are prohibited in food preparation areas because they can chip into food and create spaces where pathogens accumulate.

The Grade B score places Guac Shop Mexican Grill in the 14-27 point range, indicating a conditional pass with violations requiring correction.

Inspection History

The restaurant's compliance record shows variable performance:

  • March 10, 2026: Score 21 (Grade B)
  • April 25, 2024: Score 32 (Grade C range)
  • August 31, 2022: Score 22 (Grade B)
  • April 26, 2022: Score 0 (Grade A)

The establishment has received scores ranging from perfect compliance to conditional grades over the past four years, indicating inconsistent adherence to health code requirements.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades based on inspection point totals:

  • Grade A: 0-13 points (highest rating)
  • Grade B: 14-27 points (conditional pass)
  • Grade C: 28 or more points (lowest passing rating)

Restaurants scoring 14 or more points must post their letter grade and face re-inspection to demonstrate corrective actions. Establishments have the right to request a hearing before the Health Department's Administrative Tribunal if they dispute inspection findings.

The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on March 12, 2026, two days after the inspection was conducted.

Public Health Resources

New York City residents can access complete restaurant inspection records through the NYC Health Department's online inspection database at www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/services/restaurant-grades.page. The database provides detailed violation histories, inspection dates, and current grade standings for all food service establishments operating in the five boroughs.

Questions about food safety standards or specific inspection results can be directed to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene at 311.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Guac Shop Mexican Grill including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.