Queens, NY — Holy Cow/Chandni, a chicken restaurant located at 125 150th Avenue in Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on July 27, 2026. The establishment received a score of 98, placing it firmly in the C grade range and triggering immediate closure. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on July 29, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented three violations during the July 27 inspection — two classified as critical and one as non-critical. Taken together, they presented enough cause for DOHMH to order the establishment closed until violations requiring immediate action were addressed.

The first critical violation, Code 06D, cited food contact surfaces that were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following activities during which contamination may have occurred. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, food contact surfaces — including cutting boards, prep tables, and equipment that comes into direct contact with food — must be cleaned and sanitized at regular intervals and whenever cross-contamination is a risk. Failure to do so creates conditions under which harmful pathogens can transfer to food.

The second critical violation, Code 03A, is among the more serious categories in the DOHMH inspection framework. It cited food from an unapproved or unknown source, which may include home-prepared or home-canned items, animals that were slaughtered, butchered, or dressed on premises, or Reduced Oxygen Packaged (ROP) fish that was not frozen prior to processing. It also covers ROP food prepared on premises and transported to another location. NYC Health Code Article 81 requires that all food served to the public originate from approved, regulated sources. Food from unverified origins cannot be confirmed safe, and its presence in a commercial kitchen is treated as an immediate public health concern.

The non-critical violation, Code 10G, cited deficiencies in the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment used in dishwashing and warewashing operations. While classified as non-critical, this violation indicates systemic gaps in the establishment's sanitation practices that contributed to the overall inspection score.

Food Safety Context

NYC restaurants are inspected unannounced by DOHMH at least once per year under the city's A-grading system, which has been in place since 2010. Inspections are governed by NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes standards for food handling, storage, preparation, sanitation, and facility maintenance. The FDA Food Code, which the city's rules closely mirror, provides a nationally recognized framework for minimizing foodborne illness risk.

Critical violations are those most directly linked to the potential for foodborne illness. They include issues such as improper food temperatures, inadequate cooking, cross-contamination risks, and food from unapproved sources. When critical violations are identified, inspectors may require immediate corrective action — and when conditions present a significant public health risk, DOHMH has the authority to order a closure on the spot.

An establishment that is closed by DOHMH must address all violations requiring immediate action before it can reopen. A reinspection is then conducted to verify compliance.

Inspection History

Holy Cow/Chandni has a limited but notable inspection record on file with DOHMH:

  • June 26, 2025: Score 32 (Grade N)

The June 2025 inspection resulted in a score of 32, which falls in the C range (28 or more points). A Grade N is issued when a restaurant scores in the B or C range on an initial inspection cycle inspection and has requested a re-inspection before a letter grade is assigned. The most recent inspection on July 27, 2026, produced a score of 98 — a significant increase from the prior visit and sufficient to trigger closure.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system translates inspection scores into letter grades posted publicly at each establishment. The grades are defined as follows:

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

A score of 98 places Holy Cow/Chandni well into the C range. In cases where a restaurant scores in the B or C range during an initial inspection, it may request a re-inspection before a grade is officially posted. A Grade N or Grade Z card is displayed in the interim.

When an establishment is closed by DOHMH, no letter grade card is posted until the restaurant has passed reinspection and resumed operation.

Resources

Consumers can look up inspection records for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available at the NYC Open Data portal. Records include scores, violation codes, grades, and any closure actions. The dataset is updated regularly as new inspections are completed and reviewed.

Anyone who believes they have experienced a foodborne illness connected to a restaurant meal can file a complaint with DOHMH through the city's 311 system, online or by phone.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Holy Cow/Chandni including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.