Manhattan, NY — Jajaja Mexicana, a Mexican restaurant at 63 Carmine Street in Manhattan's West Village, was re-closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene following an inspection conducted on March 25, 2026. The closure was the third time in less than two weeks that the establishment was ordered closed by health authorities. Inspection data for this visit was released by DOHMH on March 31, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 25 inspection, inspectors recorded a score of 10, which falls within the Grade A range under NYC's restaurant grading system (0 to 13 points). Despite that score, the establishment was re-closed based on conditions documented at the time of the visit.

Inspectors cited one non-critical violation:

  • Code 08A: The establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests.

This violation indicates that inspectors identified physical conditions within the facility, such as structural gaps, openings, or accumulation of materials, that could attract or shelter pests. While classified as non-critical, pest harborage conditions can contribute to ongoing sanitation concerns if not fully corrected.

The re-closure action following a score of 10 reflects the DOHMH's authority to order an establishment closed when conditions observed during an inspection warrant immediate corrective action, independent of the overall point total. Inspectors evaluate not only the number of violations but also the nature and severity of conditions present at the time of the visit.

According to inspection records, Jajaja Mexicana was reopened on March 30, 2026, following a re-inspection that recorded a score of 0, indicating no violations were cited at that visit.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments operating in the five boroughs are subject to routine unannounced inspections by DOHMH. Inspectors evaluate food handling practices, temperature controls, facility sanitation, and structural conditions. When conditions are found that pose an imminent public health risk, inspectors are authorized to close an establishment immediately.

The FDA Food Code, which provides the framework adopted by many local jurisdictions including New York City, identifies harborage conditions as a contributing factor to pest-related contamination risk. Rodents and insects can introduce pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli into food preparation areas, though no specific contamination event was documented in this inspection record.

Establishments closed by DOHMH are required to correct all identified conditions before a re-inspection is conducted. A facility may reopen only after inspectors verify that violations have been addressed to the department's satisfaction.

Inspection History

The March 25, 2026 closure was part of a concentrated inspection cycle. The restaurant's recent and historical inspection record is as follows:

  • March 30, 2026: Score 0 (Grade Z) — Reopened by DOHMH
  • March 25, 2026: Score 10 — Re-closed by DOHMH
  • 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

Prior to the March 2026 inspection cycle, Jajaja Mexicana had received Grade A scores in both 2023 and 2024, indicating the restaurant maintained a strong compliance record during that period. The 2022 inspection recorded a score of 33, placing it in the Grade C range at that time.

The sequence of closures beginning March 19, followed by re-inspections on March 23 and March 25, reflects the standard DOHMH process in which establishments must demonstrate corrective action before being permitted to reopen. The score improvement from 53 on March 23 to 10 on March 25 indicates that conditions identified in earlier inspections were substantially addressed. The single remaining pest harborage violation was subsequently resolved, as evidenced by the March 30 re-inspection recording a score of 0.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant letter grade system is based on the point total assigned during an inspection. Lower scores reflect fewer violations:

  • Grade A: 0 to 13 points
  • Grade B: 14 to 27 points
  • Grade C: 28 points or more

Grades are required to be posted visibly at the restaurant's entrance. Establishments scoring in the B or C range during an initial inspection may request a re-inspection before a grade is formally issued. A Grade Z designation, as noted in the March 30 reopening record, is typically assigned when a grade is pending administrative processing.

All scores recorded during closures, re-inspections, and compliance checks are part of the public record maintained by DOHMH. Consumers can access current and historical inspection data for all NYC food service establishments through the NYC Open Data platform. Inspection data is generally released within several days of the inspection date.

More About This Restaurant

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