Queens, NY — Kew Motor Inn Restaurant & Bar, located at 139-01 Grand Central Parkway in Queens, received a Grade B following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 23, 2026. The establishment scored 24 points, placing it near the upper boundary of the Grade B range and within four points of a Grade C designation. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 27, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented two violations during the visit — one critical and one non-critical.

The critical violation, cited under Code 04L, recorded evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and FDA Food Code standards, rodent activity in a food service facility represents a direct risk of food contamination and is among the more serious categories of violations inspectors can cite.

The non-critical violation, cited under Code 08A, identified conditions conducive to rodent or pest harborage — meaning inspectors found physical conditions within the establishment that could allow pests to shelter or nest. This type of violation is often considered a contributing factor to active pest presence and is noted separately from direct evidence of activity.

Together, the two violations produced a score of 24, which falls within the Grade B range but sits at the higher end, where scores approach the Grade C threshold.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 requires that all permitted food service establishments maintain their premises free from pest activity and from conditions that attract or shelter pests. The FDA Food Code, which New York State uses as a basis for its food safety regulations, classifies active rodent evidence as a priority violation — one associated with a higher likelihood of contributing to foodborne illness if not corrected.

A score of 24 is technically a passing grade under the city's system, but it reflects a level of compliance that leaves limited margin before an establishment would fall into Grade C territory. The single critical violation accounts for a meaningful portion of that total.

Inspection History

Kew Motor Inn Restaurant & Bar has a documented inspection history with DOHMH that shows variation in compliance over recent years:

  • 2025-09-09: Score 20 (Grade B)
  • 2024-03-12: Score 28 (Grade C)
  • 2023-05-22: Score 26 (Grade B)

The March 2026 result follows a Grade C in 2024, and two consecutive inspections in the Grade B range. The prior Grade C — scored at 28 — was recorded approximately two years before the current inspection.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system is based on points assessed during unannounced DOHMH inspections. Lower scores indicate fewer violations:

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

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C may request a re-inspection before a grade is finalized. Grades must be posted publicly at the establishment's entrance.

Members of the public can view full inspection records, including violation details and grade history, through the NYC DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database at nyc.gov/health.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Kew Motor Inn Restaurant & Bar including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.