Queens, NY — King's Chef, a Chinese restaurant located at 133-48 Whitestone Expressway in Flushing, received a score of 54 during a New York City health inspection conducted on March 4, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, a significant departure from its previously consistent record of Grade A results.
The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 9, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified one critical violation at the establishment:
Wiping cloths were not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses (Violation Code 06F). This violation addresses the handling of cloths used to wipe down food preparation surfaces, equipment, and other areas during restaurant operations. When wiping cloths are not properly stored in an approved sanitizing solution or kept clean and dry between uses, they can become a vehicle for spreading bacteria across multiple surfaces.
No non-critical violations were cited during the inspection. The recorded action indicated that violations were cited in the areas noted above.
Food Safety Context
The improper storage of wiping cloths is classified as a critical violation under NYC Health Code Article 81 because of the direct role these cloths play in cross-contamination. The FDA Food Code specifies that wiping cloths used for cleaning food contact surfaces must be stored in a sanitizing solution of appropriate concentration between uses. Cloths that are left damp on countertops or stored without sanitizer can harbor and transfer pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria to surfaces where food is prepared or served.
Under the NYC restaurant inspection scoring system, critical violations carry higher point values than general or non-critical violations. A single critical violation can result in a substantial number of penalty points depending on its specific nature and the conditions observed. The score of 54 recorded at King's Chef indicates that the conditions associated with this violation were assessed at a level well above the Grade C threshold of 28 points.
It should be noted that the scoring reflects the inspector's assessment at the time of the visit. Restaurants have the opportunity to correct violations and request re-inspection.
Inspection History
King's Chef had maintained a consistent record of Grade A scores across its three most recent prior inspections:
- July 23, 2024: Score 12, Grade A
- November 4, 2022: Score 12, Grade A
- August 10, 2021: Score 8, Grade A
The current score of 54 represents a significant change from this pattern. The restaurant's prior inspections had all fallen within the 8-to-12-point range, well within Grade A standards.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection. Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
A Grade C score indicates that one or more conditions observed during the inspection resulted in a point total of 28 or above. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are typically offered a re-inspection, during which they have the opportunity to demonstrate that violations have been corrected and to potentially receive an improved grade.
Restaurants that dispute their grade may also request a hearing before the DOHMH's administrative tribunal.
How to Stay Informed
Consumers can look up the latest inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH's public database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal. Inspection grades are also required to be posted at the restaurant's entrance.
For additional information about King's Chef and other restaurant inspections in Queens, visit NYCRestaurantInspections.com, where public record inspection data is updated regularly as new results are released by the city.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for King's Chef including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.