Queens, NY — Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood And Bar, located at 133-40 79th Street in Queens, received a Grade B following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 28, 2026. The restaurant scored 24 points, placing it near the upper end of the B range and within four points of the Grade C threshold.

The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 31, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one critical violation during the March visit, with no non-critical violations recorded.

The critical violation — cited under Code 06A — related to personal cleanliness standards. Inspectors noted that hygiene practices were inadequate, a category that can include soiled outer garments, absence of effective hair restraints in food preparation areas, jewelry worn on hands or arms, or fingernails that are not kept clean and trimmed.

Personal cleanliness violations are considered critical because direct contact between food handlers and food products presents a pathway for potential contamination. A single critical violation of this type contributed the majority of the 24-point score.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain standards for worker hygiene and personal cleanliness during food handling and preparation. These requirements align with FDA Food Code guidelines, which identify poor personal hygiene practices as a contributing factor in foodborne illness outbreaks.

Critical violations — as defined by DOHMH — are those most likely to contribute to foodborne illness if not corrected. Establishments that receive a score between 14 and 27 during an initial inspection are issued a Grade B. A score of 28 or higher results in a Grade C.

A score of 24 falls in the upper portion of the B range. While the restaurant met the threshold to avoid a Grade C, the margin was narrow.

Inspection History

Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood And Bar has maintained a consistent record of Grade A scores in prior inspections:

  • April 6, 2026: Score 7 (Grade A)
  • April 17, 2024: Score 2 (Grade A)
  • October 31, 2022: Score 7 (Grade A)

Notably, a follow-up inspection conducted on April 6, 2026 — approximately nine days after the March 28 inspection — resulted in a score of 7, a Grade A. This suggests corrective actions were taken in the intervening period. DOHMH typically posts the most recent grade, so the restaurant's current posted grade reflects the April reinspection result.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system is based on the number of points assessed during a DOHMH inspection:

  • A: 0–13 points
  • B: 14–27 points
  • C: 28 or more points

Restaurants that score 14 or higher on an initial inspection may request a reinspection before a grade is posted publicly. Scores and inspection records are available through the DOHMH public database at nyc.gov/health.

Consumers can look up any restaurant's full inspection history, including violation details and scores, through the city's online search tool.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood And Bar including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.