Queens, NY — Home Of Astoria (Hoa), a fusion restaurant located at 28-49 Steinway Street in Astoria, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a health inspection that resulted in a score of 53 points. The inspection, conducted on January 23, 2026, identified two critical violations and three non-critical violations at the establishment.
The restaurant has since reopened following a subsequent inspection on February 6, 2026, where it received a score of 2 points. The inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on February 12, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the January 23 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented several violations across food safety and facility maintenance categories.
The most significant finding involved Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) food not being cooked to required minimum internal temperatures. Under NYC Health Code and FDA Food Code guidelines, specific foods must reach established temperatures to eliminate harmful bacteria: poultry must reach 165°F for 15 seconds, ground meat must reach 158°F for 15 seconds, pork must reach 150°F for 15 seconds, and all other foods must reach 140°F for 15 seconds. Failure to meet these thresholds can allow dangerous pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter to survive in prepared food.
Inspectors also cited the restaurant for food contact surfaces not being properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred. This violation addresses surfaces that come into direct contact with food during preparation and serving, where inadequate sanitation can lead to cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat items.
Three non-critical violations were also documented. Two separate citations noted that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. Inspectors additionally found that the current letter grade or Grade Pending card was not posted as required.
Food Safety Context
The violations documented at Home Of Astoria (Hoa) fall under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishment operations in the city. The critical violations — improper cooking temperatures and unsanitary food contact surfaces — are classified as conditions that can directly contribute to foodborne illness.
Proper cooking temperatures are one of the most fundamental food safety controls identified by the FDA Food Code. Temperature abuse during cooking is consistently ranked among the top contributing factors in foodborne illness outbreaks nationwide. The FDA Food Code establishes minimum internal cooking temperatures specifically because heat is the primary method of destroying harmful microorganisms in raw animal products.
Food contact surface sanitation is similarly foundational. The FDA Food Code requires that surfaces contacting food be cleaned and sanitized between uses, particularly when transitioning between different food types, to prevent cross-contamination.
When an establishment accumulates enough violation points to warrant closure, DOHMH requires the restaurant to correct all cited conditions and pass a reinspection before resuming operations.
Inspection History
Home Of Astoria (Hoa) has been inspected multiple times by DOHMH in recent years. The establishment's inspection record shows a pattern of variable compliance:
- February 6, 2026: Score 2 (Grade Z), reopened
- February 5, 2026: Score 3, closed
- January 23, 2026: Score 53, closed
- September 14, 2023: Score 23
- March 15, 2023: Score 39 (Grade C)
- August 26, 2022: Score 30
The restaurant's history shows scores ranging from 2 to 53 points. Prior to the January 2026 closure, the restaurant had received scores of 30 or higher in three consecutive inspection cycles dating back to August 2022, indicating recurring compliance challenges. The most recent reinspection on February 6, 2026, where the restaurant scored 2 points, represents its lowest and best score on record.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores, where lower scores indicate fewer violations:
- A: 0–13 points
- B: 14–27 points
- C: 28 or more points
A score of 53 falls well within the C grade range. Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection are offered a reinspection opportunity, and DOHMH may close establishments when conditions pose an immediate public health concern.
Restaurants that are closed must correct all violations and pass a reinspection before reopening to the public. In this case, Home Of Astoria (Hoa) was reinspected on February 5, 2026, receiving a score of 3 but remaining closed, before passing a subsequent reinspection on February 6, 2026, with a score of 2 points and reopening.
New York City restaurant inspection results are public record and can be viewed on the DOHMH website. Consumers can search for any restaurant's inspection history, including specific violations cited during each visit. The NYC restaurant grading system, established in 2010, requires that letter grades be posted at the entrance of every food service establishment to provide transparency for diners making informed choices about where to eat.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Home Of Astoria (Hoa) including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.