Queens, NY — Hutch Astoria, an American restaurant at 35-07 31st Avenue in Astoria, received a score of 25 during a New York City health inspection conducted on March 11, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade B territory but near the upper boundary of the range, just three points below the 28-point threshold that triggers a Grade C designation.

Inspectors documented one critical violation and two non-critical violations during the visit. The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 13, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The most significant finding was a critical violation cited under code 06C: food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. The violation also noted that condiments were not provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, protecting food from contamination at every stage of handling is a fundamental requirement for food service establishments.

Inspectors also identified two non-critical violations. The first, cited under code 10F, documented that non-food contact surfaces or equipment were made of unacceptable material, were not kept clean, or were not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit. Maintaining clean and accessible equipment surfaces is essential for preventing the accumulation of debris and potential pest harborage.

The second non-critical violation, cited under code 10G, noted deficiencies in dishwashing and ware washing procedures, specifically in the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment. Proper sanitization of food contact surfaces is a key requirement under both the FDA Food Code and NYC Health Code Article 81 to reduce the risk of foodborne illness transmission.

Food Safety Context

A score of 25 is notable because it sits at the high end of the Grade B range. NYC restaurant grades operate on a demerit system where lower scores indicate fewer violations. Grade B scores span from 14 to 27 points, meaning Hutch Astoria's result reflects a violation count approaching the Grade C cutoff.

The critical violation involving food contamination protection is particularly significant. The FDA Food Code emphasizes that food must be shielded from environmental contaminants, cross-contact with raw products, and unsanitary conditions throughout all phases of handling. Restaurants are expected to store food in covered containers, maintain proper separation, and ensure condiment dispensing methods minimize contamination risk.

Inspection History

Hutch Astoria's prior inspection record shows a pattern of elevated scores:

  • 2025-08-01: Score 40 (Grade N)

The previous inspection in August 2025 resulted in a score of 40, which falls in Grade C territory and received a Grade N pending adjudication. The current score of 25 represents a 15-point improvement from that prior inspection, though it still places the restaurant in the upper portion of the Grade B range.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores using a demerit point system:

  • A: 0–13 points (fewest violations)
  • B: 14–27 points
  • C: 28 or more points

Lower scores indicate better compliance with health codes. Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection and can also contest results through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.

Consumers can look up any restaurant's full inspection history on the DOHMH website or through the NYC Open Data portal. Hutch Astoria's complete inspection records are available as public data through these resources.

More About This Restaurant

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