Queens, NY — La Guli Pastry Shop, a longtime bakery located at 29-15 Ditmars Boulevard in Astoria, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on April 8, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 38 points, placing the establishment in C-grade territory and triggering an immediate closure order. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 10, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the April 8 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited one critical violation at the Ditmars Boulevard bakery.

The violation — Code 04L — documented evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas. This violation is classified as critical under NYC Health Code standards, meaning it poses a direct risk to public health or could lead to foodborne illness.

According to DOHMH, violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of inspection. The establishment was nonetheless closed pending reinspection and confirmation that conditions meet city health standards before reopening is permitted.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain conditions that prevent pest activity, including implementing and sustaining pest management protocols. Evidence of rodent activity — whether active or passive — triggers critical violation status due to the potential for food contamination and the transmission of pathogens.

The FDA Food Code similarly categorizes rodent evidence as a serious public health hazard. Rodents can contaminate food contact surfaces, packaging, and exposed ingredients with bacteria including Salmonella and Leptospira. Effective pest management under both city and federal guidance requires not only reactive extermination but also structural exclusion, sanitation controls, and routine monitoring.

A score of 38 points at initial inspection places La Guli Pastry Shop well above the 28-point threshold for a C grade. Under NYC's restaurant grading system, establishments have an opportunity for a re-grading inspection, at which point a new letter grade is assigned based on updated conditions.

Inspection History

This is not the first time La Guli Pastry Shop has faced closure action. A review of DOHMH inspection records shows a pattern of variability in compliance over recent years:

  • 2024-12-12: Score 48, Closed by DOHMH
  • 2024-12-16: Score 3 (Grade P — indicating a passing re-inspection score following closure)
  • 2024-02-27: Score 27 (Grade B)
  • 2023-04-04: Score 18
  • 2025-03-03: Score 11 (Grade A)
  • 2026-02-26: Score 22
  • 2026-04-08: Score 38, Closed by DOHMH

The December 2024 closure was followed by a passing inspection just days later, suggesting that corrective measures were taken quickly. The establishment subsequently achieved a Grade A score of 11 points in March 2025, and a score of 22 points in February 2026. The April 2026 inspection represents a significant increase from that February score and marks the second DOHMH closure in approximately 16 months.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system is designed to give the public a quick reference for a restaurant's most recent inspection performance. Grades are based on points assigned for each violation, with more severe violations carrying higher point values. The current grading scale is:

  • A: 0–13 points (lowest risk, best performance)
  • B: 14–27 points (some violations noted)
  • C: 28 or more points (significant violations identified)

When an establishment scores in B or C range at its initial inspection, it is not required to post a letter grade immediately. Instead, it may request a re-grading inspection, typically within 30 to 45 days. The grade posted at the door reflects the most recent completed grading cycle.

Closure actions are separate from the letter grade system. DOHMH may close an establishment at any time when inspectors determine that conditions pose an immediate threat to public health, regardless of an establishment's prior grade history.

What Happens Next

Following a DOHMH closure, an establishment must pass a reinspection before it is permitted to reopen. Reinspections are typically conducted within a few days of the original closure, though timing can vary. If violations are corrected and inspectors are satisfied that public health risks have been addressed, the closure order may be lifted.

Members of the public can check the current status of any NYC restaurant — including whether it remains closed or has been permitted to reopen — through the DOHMH restaurant inspection lookup tool available at the NYC Open Data portal or the NYC Health Department's website. Inspection records are updated as new data becomes available.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for La Guli Pastry Shop including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.