Manhattan, NY — Jajaja Mexicana, a Mexican restaurant located at 63 Carmine Street in Manhattan's West Village neighborhood, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on March 19, 2026. The establishment received a score of 46, placing it in C-grade range under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on March 23, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 19 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited two violations — one critical and one non-critical.

The critical violation, Code 04L, documented evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, the presence of rodents in a food service establishment constitutes an imminent public health hazard and is among the violations that can trigger an immediate closure order.

The non-critical violation, Code 08A, noted 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 gaps, improperly stored materials, or other environmental conditions that allow pests to shelter or enter the facility.

DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection, a standard step in the closure process before a reinspection can be scheduled.

Food Safety Context

Rodent activity in a food service environment carries significant public health implications. Mice can contaminate food and food-contact surfaces with droppings, urine, and hair, and are associated with the transmission of pathogens including Salmonella and Leptospira. Both the NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code identify active pest infestations as conditions requiring immediate corrective action.

Under the city's grading system, a score of 46 reflects a substantial number of documented violations. A score in this range results in a C grade, the lowest letter grade issued by DOHMH. When inspectors determine that conditions pose an imminent hazard to public health — such as evidence of rodent activity in food areas — they are authorized to close the establishment immediately pending corrective action and reinspection.

Operators are required to address cited violations before requesting a reinspection. A passing reinspection is necessary before a closed establishment may resume service.

Inspection History

The March 19, 2026 closure was not the first time Jajaja Mexicana has faced a DOHMH enforcement action in recent months. The establishment's recent inspection record shows a cluster of activity in late March 2026:

  • March 30, 2026: Score 0 (Grade Z) — Reopened
  • March 25, 2026: Score 10 — Closed by DOHMH
  • March 23, 2026: Score 53 — Closed by DOHMH
  • June 26, 2024: Score 10 (Grade A)
  • January 26, 2023: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • September 12, 2022: Score 33
  • November 8, 2021: Score 24

The sequence of closures in March 2026 — on the 19th, 23rd, and 25th — followed by a reopening on March 30 with a score of 0 suggests the restaurant underwent multiple reinspections during this period before satisfying DOHMH requirements to resume operations. The grade designation of "Z" is assigned to establishments that have been reopened following a closure and are pending a full grading inspection.

Prior to this period, the restaurant had maintained Grade A scores in both its June 2024 and January 2023 inspections, with scores of 10 and 13 respectively. The September 2022 inspection resulted in a score of 33, and the November 2021 inspection recorded a score of 24, indicating the establishment has had varying results over time.

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. The thresholds are as follows:

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

Grades are required to be posted in a visible location at the entrance of the establishment. When a restaurant is closed or is pending reinspection, a Grade Pending card or closure notice is typically displayed in place of a letter grade.

Inspection reports for all NYC restaurants are publicly available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database at nyc.gov. Consumers can search by restaurant name, address, or cuisine type to review current and historical inspection records.

More About This Restaurant

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