Queens, NY — Halal Krispy Fried Chicken And Pizza, located at 179-33 Hillside Avenue in Jamaica, Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted April 24, 2026. The closure marked the restaurant's second in less than two weeks, according to public inspection records released by DOHMH on April 28, 2026.

The establishment received a score of 19 during the April 24 inspection, which would place it in the B grade range under the city's standard scoring system. Despite the relatively lower score compared to its prior inspection, inspectors determined that conditions warranted an immediate closure order.

What Inspectors Found

During the April 24 inspection, inspectors documented one non-critical violation under Code 08C, which covers improper pesticide use and storage. Specifically, the violation noted that a pesticide was either not properly labeled, used by an unlicensed individual, or improperly stored — with an unprotected, unlocked bait station identified on the premises.

While the violation was classified as non-critical, meaning it does not pose the same level of immediate public health risk as a critical violation, the use of pesticides by unlicensed individuals or the improper storage of toxic chemicals in a food service environment is regulated under both the NYC Health Code and applicable federal guidelines. Bait stations used in food establishments must be tamper-resistant, properly secured, and handled only by licensed pest control operators to prevent contamination of food preparation surfaces and food supplies.

No critical violations — those directly linked to foodborne illness risk factors such as improper food temperatures, cross-contamination, or poor personal hygiene — were recorded during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

The regulation of pesticide use in food service establishments falls under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food safety standards for all licensed food service operations in New York City. Article 81 requires that pest control measures be conducted by licensed professionals using approved methods that do not introduce additional health hazards into the food environment.

The FDA Food Code, which New York City's health code incorporates by reference in many provisions, similarly addresses the use of pesticides and toxic materials, requiring that only approved pesticides be applied in food establishments and that they be used in accordance with manufacturer labeling and applicable law.

An unlocked or unprotected bait station is considered a violation because it can be accessed or disturbed by employees, customers, or food contact surfaces — creating a secondary contamination risk in an already regulated environment.

The DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection, which is standard procedure following a closure order. Establishments are typically permitted to reopen once inspectors verify that the conditions that led to the closure have been corrected.

Inspection History

Public records show that Halal Krispy Fried Chicken And Pizza has a recent history of regulatory actions:

  • April 16, 2026: Score 112 (Grade N) — Closed by DOHMH
  • April 24, 2026: Score 19 (Grade B range) — Closed by DOHMH

The April 16 inspection resulted in a score of 112, an exceptionally high figure that reflects a significant number or severity of violations recorded at that time. A score in that range falls well outside the grade categories used in the city's public letter grading system, which is why it was assigned a Grade N — meaning the restaurant was not yet graded and was subject to a re-inspection cycle.

The April 24 follow-up inspection, which occurred just eight days later, recorded a dramatically lower score of 19, suggesting that many of the conditions identified during the first inspection had been corrected. However, the presence of the pesticide violation was still sufficient for DOHMH to issue a second closure order.

The sharp drop in score between the two inspections is not uncommon following an initial high-scoring closure. Establishments often undertake significant corrective action between inspections in an effort to come into compliance. The remaining violation documented on April 24 will need to be resolved before the restaurant can complete its re-inspection cycle and receive a posted letter grade.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City requires restaurants to post their most recent letter grade in a visible location. Grades are assigned based on the score received during an inspection:

  • A: 0–13 points (fewest violations)
  • B: 14–27 points
  • C: 28 or more points
  • Grade Pending: Posted when a restaurant scores B or C on an initial inspection and requests re-inspection before a grade is assigned
  • Grade N / Not Yet Graded: Applies during a restaurant's inspection cycle before a final grade is issued

A score of 19 would typically result in a B grade if issued at a final inspection, though grade posting is subject to the full inspection cycle process. Restaurants that are closed and subsequently reopen may still post a Grade Pending card while awaiting their next inspection.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Halal Krispy Fried Chicken And Pizza including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.