Queens, NY — Hao Chi, a Chinese restaurant located at 42-96 Main Street in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on May 7, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 142 — well above the 28-point threshold for a C grade — and cited two critical violations that prompted the immediate closure action. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on May 11, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented three violations during the May 7 inspection, two of which were classified as critical under the NYC Health Code.

The most serious finding involved the establishment's sewage disposal system. Under violation code 05A, inspectors noted that the sewage disposal system was improper, inadequate, or unapproved. Failures in sewage infrastructure can allow waste contamination of food preparation and storage areas and represent one of the more serious categories of violation in the DOHMH scoring framework.

The second critical violation, code 05H, documented the absence of an approved written standard operating procedure for avoiding contamination through refillable or returnable containers. The FDA Food Code requires food service establishments to maintain documented protocols for handling containers returned to the facility for refilling, as such containers can introduce contaminants if not properly managed.

A non-critical violation was also recorded under code 08A, noting that the establishment was not free of harborage conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. While classified as non-critical, this type of violation indicates physical conditions that can contribute to ongoing pest pressure if left unaddressed.

Per standard DOHMH procedure, violations requiring immediate corrective action were addressed at the time of inspection. The establishment remained closed pending a reinspection by DOHMH to verify that cited conditions had been corrected.

Food Safety Context

A score of 142 points is substantially above the minimum for a C grade under the NYC restaurant inspection system. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, each violation is assigned a point value based on its potential public health impact. Critical violations — those most directly linked to the risk of foodborne illness or other immediate health hazards — carry higher point totals than non-critical violations.

The sewage disposal violation cited at Hao Chi falls among the most consequential categories in the DOHMH scoring system. Inadequate or non-functioning sewage infrastructure can compromise the sanitary conditions required by both NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, which together govern food service establishment standards in New York City.

The FDA Food Code identifies properly functioning plumbing and sewage disposal as foundational requirements for safe food handling — conditions that must be maintained during all hours of operation. DOHMH is authorized under NYC Health Code Section 81.51 to order an establishment closed when conditions are found to pose an imminent public health hazard.

Inspection History

No prior inspection history was available in DOHMH records for Hao Chi at this location.

  • May 7, 2026: Score 142 (C grade), closed by DOHMH — 2 critical violations, 1 non-critical violation cited

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

The DOHMH assigns letter grades based on inspection scores following an initial inspection or re-inspection:

  • A: Score of 0 to 13 points — fewest violations recorded
  • B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • C: Score of 28 or more points — most violations recorded

When inspectors identify conditions that pose an immediate health hazard, DOHMH may issue a closure order regardless of the grading cycle. The establishment must correct all cited violations and pass a follow-up inspection before it is permitted to resume operations.

Inspection records for Hao Chi and all New York City permitted food service establishments are publicly available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection search tool and the NYC Open Data portal. Residents can review violation details, grade history, and inspection dates for any restaurant in the five boroughs.

Inspection data reflects the record collected on May 7, 2026. This data was made publicly available by DOHMH on May 11, 2026.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Hao Chi including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.