Queens, NY — Ha Bo Kitchen, a Chinese restaurant located at 10211 Springfield Blvd in Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on June 9, 2026. Inspectors documented three violations — one critical and two non-critical — resulting in a score of 74, which falls in the C range under the city's restaurant grading system.

The closure was ordered after violations requiring immediate action were identified on site. According to DOHMH inspection records, those violations were addressed before the establishment could be considered for reopening.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited Ha Bo Kitchen for the following violations during the June 9 inspection:

The single critical violation involved food temperature control. Under Code 02B, inspectors recorded that hot temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items were not being held at or above 140°F. Maintaining hot foods at proper temperatures is a fundamental requirement for preventing bacterial growth and reducing the risk of foodborne illness. This type of violation is classified as critical because it presents a direct potential hazard to public health.

Two non-critical violations were also documented. The first, under Code 08A, noted that the establishment was not free of harborage conditions or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This citation indicates that inspectors identified physical conditions within or around the premises that could attract or shelter pests, though it does not necessarily confirm the presence of active infestation.

The second non-critical violation, under Code 08C, cited improper pesticide use or storage. Specifically, inspectors noted the use of an unprotected, unlocked bait station — a condition that may indicate pest control activities were being carried out without proper safeguards. NYC regulations require that pesticides be properly labeled, stored securely, and applied only by licensed individuals.

Food Safety Context

The violations documented at Ha Bo Kitchen touch on two core areas of food safety regulation: temperature control and pest management.

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the requirements for food handling, storage, and facility maintenance for all food service establishments operating in the five boroughs. The FDA Food Code, which informs many of these local standards, identifies improper hot-holding temperatures as one of the leading risk factors for foodborne illness outbreaks. Foods held below 140°F enter the "danger zone" in which bacteria such as Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium perfringens can multiply rapidly.

Pest harborage conditions and improper pesticide use are regulated separately but carry their own health implications. Pests can contaminate food and food-contact surfaces, and improper pesticide application in food service environments can introduce chemical hazards. NYC Health Code Article 81 requires establishments to maintain facilities in a manner that eliminates conditions favorable to pest presence and to use only approved, licensed pest control methods.

The DOHMH requires that critical violations — those posing an immediate health risk — be corrected on-site before an establishment can resume operations. The agency's inspection record notes that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the June 9 inspection.

Inspection History

Ha Bo Kitchen's recent inspection record shows significant variability in compliance:

  • November 12, 2025: Score 49
  • August 7, 2024: Score 5 (Grade A)

The restaurant's August 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 5, placing it well within the Grade A range and indicating a high level of compliance at that time. The November 2025 inspection produced a score of 49, which falls in the Grade C range. The most recent inspection on June 9, 2026 resulted in the current score of 74 and a closure order — a significant deterioration from the establishment's 2024 performance.

This inspection data was released by DOHMH on June 11, 2026, two days after the inspection was conducted.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant letter grading system is based on the numerical score assigned during each DOHMH inspection. Each point represents a penalty for a violation, so lower scores reflect better compliance. The grading scale is as follows:

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • Grade C: Score of 28 points or more

A score of 74 places Ha Bo Kitchen well into the Grade C category. Establishments that are closed by DOHMH must correct all cited violations and pass a re-inspection before they are permitted to reopen to the public.

Diners can look up current inspection scores and grades for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection search tool at nyc.gov/health. Inspection records are public and updated regularly as new inspections are completed.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Ha Bo Kitchen including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.