Queens, NY — Kabab King, a Pakistani restaurant located at 73-01 37 Road in Jackson Heights, received a score of 42 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted on February 18, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, indicating 28 or more violation points were assessed during the inspection.
The inspection identified one critical violation and no non-critical violations. The DOHMH cited the restaurant for violations, and the inspection data was released publicly on February 20, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The inspection documented a single critical violation under code 05H: the restaurant did not have an approved written standard operating procedure for avoiding contamination by refillable returnable containers.
This violation addresses a specific food safety requirement under NYC Health Code Article 81. Restaurants that use refillable or returnable containers — such as reusable bottles, jugs, or other vessels — must maintain a written procedure that outlines how the establishment prevents cross-contamination when those containers are returned, cleaned, and refilled. Without such a procedure in place, there is an increased risk that contaminants from used containers could be introduced into food or beverages.
While only one violation was recorded during this inspection, it carried a significant point value, contributing to the total score of 42 — well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments operating in New York City. The code requires restaurants to follow specific protocols for handling, storing, and preparing food in a manner that minimizes the risk of contamination and foodborne illness.
The FDA Food Code, which serves as a model for local jurisdictions nationwide, similarly emphasizes the importance of written standard operating procedures as part of a comprehensive food safety management system. These written procedures serve as documentation that a restaurant has identified potential hazards and established controls to address them.
The requirement for written contamination-avoidance procedures for refillable containers reflects a broader regulatory emphasis on preventive controls. Rather than relying solely on inspection-day observations, health authorities increasingly expect food service operators to maintain documented systems that demonstrate ongoing compliance with safety standards.
Restaurants cited for this type of violation are expected to develop and implement the required written procedures and make them available for review during subsequent inspections.
Inspection History
Kabab King's recent inspection record shows a pattern of elevated scores:
- December 11, 2025: Score 72, Grade N
A Grade N designation indicates that the restaurant received a "not yet graded" status, typically assigned when a restaurant is in the process of adjudicating its inspection results or awaiting a re-inspection. The December 2025 score of 72 was notably high, representing significant violation points at that time.
The February 2026 score of 42, while still in Grade C range, represents a decrease from the previous inspection's score of 72, suggesting some improvement in compliance between the two inspections.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points recorded during an inspection:
- A: 0–13 points — minimal or no violations identified
- B: 14–27 points — moderate violations identified
- C: 28 or more points — significant violations identified
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection have the option to request a re-inspection. The restaurant posts the grade from whichever inspection — initial or re-inspection — produces the better score. During the adjudication process, restaurants may display a "Grade Pending" card.
Kabab King's score of 42 falls within the Grade C range. The establishment may seek a re-inspection to attempt to achieve a lower score and a higher grade.
Public Resources
Consumers can review inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is updated regularly with new inspection data. The database provides current and historical scores, violation details, and grade information for all inspected establishments.
The inspection data referenced in this report was conducted on February 18, 2026, and made available through the DOHMH public dataset on February 20, 2026.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Kabab King including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.