Queens, NY — La Hacienda Al Zapote, a Latin American restaurant located at 150-59 34th Avenue in Flushing, Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on April 6, 2026. Inspectors assigned the restaurant a score of 53 points, placing it in the C grade range, and documented one critical violation that prompted the closure order. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 8, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the April 6 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited one critical violation under Code 06C: food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. Specifically, inspectors noted that condiments were not stored in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor, as required.

This type of violation is classified as critical because it presents a direct risk of foodborne illness. Condiments that are not properly contained or dispensed can be exposed to cross-contamination from surfaces, utensils, or customer handling. Under NYC DOHMH inspection protocol, violations requiring immediate corrective action must be addressed before an establishment can resume operations.

The restaurant's total score of 53 points falls well within the C grade threshold, which begins at 28 points. No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.

DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of inspection, which is a standard step in the closure and reinspection process. The restaurant's path to reopening involves a reinspection by DOHMH to verify that all identified violations have been corrected and that the establishment is operating in compliance with applicable health codes.

Food Safety Context

The inspection was conducted under the authority of the NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments operating within the five boroughs. Article 81 sets the standards for food handling, storage, sanitation, and employee hygiene that all licensed food service operators are required to follow.

The violation cited — Code 06C — aligns with guidance in the FDA Food Code, which establishes baseline food safety practices adopted by health jurisdictions across the United States. The FDA Food Code specifically addresses the protection of food from contamination at every stage of service, including the proper use of single-use condiment containers and vendor-controlled dispensing to minimize opportunities for cross-contact.

Condiment handling is a commonly cited area of concern in food service inspections. Open condiment containers — such as refillable bottles or bulk dispensers that customers handle directly — can serve as vectors for pathogen transfer if not properly managed. Under both NYC Health Code and FDA Food Code guidance, operators are expected to use practices that limit the potential for customer-to-food contamination.

When a critical violation is identified that poses an immediate public health risk, DOHMH inspectors are authorized to order an establishment closed until corrective measures are verified. This process is intended to protect public health while allowing operators the opportunity to come into compliance.

Inspection History

According to DOHMH public records, no prior inspection history is available for La Hacienda Al Zapote at this location. This may indicate that the establishment is newly licensed, recently opened, or that previous inspection records are not yet reflected in the public dataset. The April 6, 2026 inspection represents the earliest record on file.

  • April 6, 2026: Score 53 (C grade range), closed by DOHMH — one critical violation cited (Code 06C)

The absence of prior inspection data means there is no historical pattern to reference at this time. As additional inspections are conducted, a clearer record of the restaurant's compliance history will become available through DOHMH's public database.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system is administered by DOHMH and is based on the numerical score assigned during each inspection cycle. Scores reflect the total number of points associated with violations identified during an unannounced inspection. Lower scores indicate fewer or less serious violations.

The grading scale is as follows:

  • A: Score of 0–13 points
  • B: Score of 14–27 points
  • C: Score of 28 points or higher

A score of 53 points places La Hacienda Al Zapote well into the C range. Restaurants that receive a score above 13 on an initial inspection are typically subject to a reinspection within 30 to 45 days, at which point a letter grade is officially assigned and must be posted in a visible location at the establishment.

Establishments that are closed by DOHMH must pass a reinspection before they are permitted to reopen. Reinspections focus on verifying that all violations cited during the initial inspection — particularly critical ones — have been corrected.

Consumers can look up the current inspection status and full violation history of any NYC food service establishment through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection database at NYC Open Data or through the city's official restaurant grades search portal.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for La Hacienda Al Zapote including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.