Queens, NY — Hoy Se Bebe, a Latin American restaurant at 78-07 Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, received three critical violations and a score of 37 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 12, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, a notable decline from its prior Grade A ratings.
All three violations documented during the inspection were classified as critical, meaning they pose a direct risk to public health. No non-critical violations were recorded.
What Inspectors Found
The most serious finding involved adulterated or contaminated food. Inspectors cited the restaurant under violation code 04H for raw, cooked, or prepared food that was adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with the establishment's HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) plan. This violation indicates that food being stored, prepared, or served did not meet safety standards designed to prevent foodborne illness.
Inspectors also documented the absence of accessible handwashing facilities under violation code 05D. The citation noted that no hand washing facility was available in or adjacent to the toilet room or within 25 feet of food preparation, food service, or ware washing areas. The violation further noted issues that may have included the facility not being accessible, being obstructed, being used for non-hand washing purposes, lacking hot and cold running water or adequate water pressure, or lacking soap or an acceptable hand-drying device. Proper handwashing is considered one of the most fundamental safeguards against the transmission of pathogens in food service environments.
The third critical violation, cited under code 04A, found that no manager or supervisor of food operations held a valid Food Protection Certificate (FPC). New York City requires that at least one supervisory staff member at every food service establishment maintain a current FPC, which demonstrates knowledge of safe food handling practices, temperature control, and contamination prevention.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in the city, including requirements for personnel hygiene, food protection, and facility maintenance. The FDA Food Code, which serves as a model for local jurisdictions nationwide, identifies handwashing access and proper food handling as critical elements in preventing foodborne illness outbreaks.
The Food Protection Certificate requirement exists to ensure that at least one person in a supervisory role at each establishment has formal training in food safety principles. The absence of a certified supervisor can contribute to lapses in food handling, temperature control, and sanitation practices.
Food contamination and cross-contamination violations are among the most closely monitored by DOHMH because they represent direct pathways for foodborne pathogens to reach consumers.
Inspection History
Hoy Se Bebe's prior inspection record shows a pattern of compliance followed by a recent decline:
- June 5, 2025: Score 34 (no grade recorded)
- March 28, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
- August 10, 2022: Score 12 (Grade A)
The restaurant had maintained Grade A scores in both its 2022 and 2024 inspections, each with a score of 12. However, the June 2025 inspection recorded a score of 34, indicating that compliance issues had already emerged before the most recent February 2026 inspection. The current score of 37 represents a continuation of that downward trend.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
A score of 37 falls into the Grade C range. Restaurants that do not receive a Grade A on an initial inspection are typically scheduled for a re-inspection, during which they have the opportunity to improve their score.
Inspection data for this report was released by DOHMH on February 16, 2026, four days after the inspection was conducted. Consumers can verify this information and check current grades through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Additional food safety information is available through the NYC 311 system and the DOHMH website.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Hoy Se Bebe including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.