Manhattan, NY — Jajaja Mexicana, a Mexican restaurant at 63 Carmine Street in Greenwich Village, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection on March 23, 2026. The restaurant received a score of 53, well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C, with inspectors documenting three critical violations and one non-critical violation.

The closure marked the second time in less than a week that the establishment was closed by health authorities, following a prior closure on March 19, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 23 inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified several conditions that led to the restaurant's immediate closure.

Inspectors documented evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas, a critical violation under code 04L. The presence of mice in a food service establishment poses direct risks of contamination from droppings, urine, and contact with food preparation surfaces.

A second critical violation involved raw, cooked, or prepared food that was found to be adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with the establishment's HACCP plan (code 04H). Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plans are designed to prevent exactly these types of food safety failures, and non-compliance indicates a breakdown in the restaurant's internal safety protocols.

Inspectors also cited the restaurant for food contact surfaces that were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred (code 06D). This critical violation means surfaces where food is prepared or served did not meet required sanitation standards.

Additionally, a non-critical violation was recorded for failure to comply with an order of the Board of Health, Commissioner, or Department (code 18-13), suggesting that prior directives from health authorities had not been fully addressed.

Food Safety Context

New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes sanitation standards for all food service establishments in the five boroughs. The inspection scoring system assigns point values to each violation based on severity, with critical violations — those most likely to contribute to foodborne illness — carrying higher point values.

A score of 53 reflects significant departures from food safety standards. Under the FDA Food Code, which informs New York City's inspection framework, food establishments are expected to maintain pest-free environments, ensure proper sanitation of food contact surfaces, and follow HACCP protocols to prevent contamination.

The presence of mice in a restaurant is particularly concerning from a public health standpoint. Rodents can carry pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli, and their presence in food preparation or storage areas creates direct pathways for contamination. NYC Health Code requires food establishments to take effective measures to prevent pest entry and eliminate any existing infestations.

When DOHMH determines that conditions present an imminent health hazard, the agency has the authority to order an establishment closed until violations are corrected and a re-inspection confirms compliance.

Inspection History

Jajaja Mexicana's recent inspection record shows a notable decline from previously strong performance:

  • March 23, 2026: Score 53, closed by DOHMH
  • March 19, 2026: Score 46, 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 restaurant had maintained Grade A scores in its two most recent routine inspections prior to this month, earning a 10 in June 2024 and a 13 in January 2023. The back-to-back closures in March 2026 — with scores of 46 and 53 — represent a significant departure from that track record. The fact that the score increased from 46 to 53 between the two inspections suggests conditions had not improved, and may have worsened, in the days between closures.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores:

  • A: 0–13 points (lowest risk)
  • B: 14–27 points (moderate violations)
  • C: 28 or more points (significant violations)

A score of 53 falls well into the C range. Restaurants that score 28 or above on an initial inspection are offered a re-inspection, typically within a compliance timeline set by DOHMH. An establishment that has been closed must correct all conditions that led to the closure before it can reopen.

Public Resources

This inspection data is public record, released by DOHMH on March 26, 2026, three days after the inspection was conducted. Consumers can look up any New York City restaurant's inspection history through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online through the NYC Open Data portal. The database includes violation details, scores, grades, and closure actions for all inspected food service establishments in the city.

Residents who observe potential health code violations at any food establishment can file a complaint through NYC 311 by calling 311 or visiting the 311 website.

More About This Restaurant

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