Queens, NY — Ihop, located at 170-19 Hillside Avenue in Jamaica, Queens, received a score of 37 during a health inspection conducted on February 19, 2026, placing the restaurant in Grade C territory. Inspectors documented evidence of mice in the establishment, along with conditions conducive to pests — a notable departure from the restaurant's previously strong inspection record.
The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 23, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 19 inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified two violations at the Hillside Avenue Ihop location:
The most serious finding was a critical violation under Code 04L: evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, the presence of rodents in a food service establishment represents a significant food safety concern due to the potential for contamination of food products, preparation surfaces, and storage areas.
Inspectors also cited a non-critical violation under Code 08A, noting that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This type of violation typically refers to structural or maintenance conditions — such as gaps in walls, unsealed entry points, or improper storage practices — that can attract or sustain pest activity.
Together, these two violations contributed to the restaurant's score of 37, which falls within the Grade C range under New York City's restaurant grading system.
Food Safety Context
Evidence of mice in a food establishment is classified as a critical violation because rodents pose direct risks to food safety. According to the FDA Food Code, rodents can contaminate food and food-contact surfaces through droppings, urine, and hair, potentially introducing pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli.
NYC Health Code Article 81 requires food service establishments to maintain their premises in a condition that prevents the entry and harborage of pests. This includes both active pest management and structural maintenance to eliminate potential entry points and nesting areas.
The concurrent citation for conditions conducive to pests suggests that inspectors identified environmental factors that may have contributed to the mouse activity documented during the inspection. Addressing both the active pest presence and the underlying conditions is typically necessary for sustained compliance.
Inspection History
The February 2026 inspection results represent a significant change from this location's recent record. Prior inspections at this Ihop location had consistently returned strong scores:
- 2025-02-26: Score 10 (Grade A)
- 2024-02-29: Score 10 (Grade A)
The jump from a score of 10 to a score of 37 represents a 27-point increase. The restaurant's two most recent prior inspections had both resulted in Grade A scores, indicating that the pest-related findings documented in February 2026 mark a departure from the establishment's previously demonstrated compliance levels.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on inspection scores. Lower scores indicate fewer violations:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
A score of 37 falls within the Grade C range. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection have the option to request a re-inspection. The grade posted at the establishment reflects the most recent adjudicated result.
Restaurants receiving grades below an A may also contest their scores through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). Until the adjudication process is complete, restaurants may display a "Grade Pending" card.
Public Resources
Consumers can look up the full inspection history for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is publicly available online. The database includes violation details, scores, and grade histories for all inspected establishments.
The inspection data referenced in this article reflects public records maintained by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Inspection scores represent conditions observed on the specific date of inspection and may not reflect current conditions at the establishment.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Ihop including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.