Brooklyn, NY — La Hacienda Panaderia, a bakery and dessert shop located at 5707 5th Avenue in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on May 26, 2026. The closure came after inspectors identified a condition that required immediate action, though the facility recorded no critical violations during that visit.

The inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on June 2, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the May 26 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one non-critical violation at the establishment. The cited condition fell under Code 28-01, which addresses nuisance conditions — defined as a facility that is not free from unsafe, hazardous, offensive, or annoying conditions.

No critical violations were recorded during this inspection. Despite the absence of critical violations, DOHMH determined that conditions at the location met the threshold for closure, with inspectors noting that those violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of inspection.

Because the closure was tied to a condition rather than a scored grading inspection in the traditional sense, no numeric score was assigned to this visit.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food service establishment safety standards in New York City, covering everything from food handling and storage to facility maintenance and physical conditions. Under these regulations, inspectors are authorized to close an establishment when conditions present an immediate public health risk or when a nuisance condition is identified that cannot be adequately mitigated without ceasing operations.

The FDA Food Code, which informs local health codes across the country, similarly recognizes facility conditions as a component of overall food safety. A nuisance violation under Code 28-01 may encompass a broad range of physical or environmental issues — including pest presence, structural hazards, or unsanitary environmental conditions — that inspectors determine to pose a risk to patrons or food safety.

When DOHMH closes an establishment, the facility must address the cited conditions before it is permitted to resume operations. Inspectors typically conduct a follow-up visit to verify that corrective actions have been taken.

Inspection History

La Hacienda Panaderia has a mixed inspection record over the past several years, with scores ranging from strong performance to significantly elevated violation counts. The facility's recent history reflects increased scrutiny heading into the May 2026 closure:

  • May 26, 2026: Closed by DOHMH, one non-critical violation (Code 28-01), no score assigned
  • May 23, 2026: Score 25 (Grade B range)
  • October 24, 2025: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • September 11, 2025: Score 24
  • July 1, 2025: Score 53 (Grade C)
  • March 12, 2025: Score 47
  • December 11, 2024: Score 5 (Grade A)
  • October 28, 2024: Score 71
  • August 25, 2023: Score 23
  • August 14, 2023: Score 83 (Grade C)
  • August 1, 2023: Score 53

The inspection record shows notable variability. The establishment earned a Grade A in December 2024 with a score of 5, one of its strongest performances on record. However, the facility has also recorded scores in the 53–83 range on multiple occasions, including Grade C designations in 2023 and 2025. The May 23, 2026 inspection — conducted just three days before the closure visit — yielded a score of 25, placing it in the Grade B range.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

The DOHMH grades restaurants based on scores assigned during inspections. Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. The grading scale is as follows:

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 — fewest violations
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 — some violations noted
  • Grade C: Score of 28 or higher — more significant violations identified

Scores are calculated by adding point values assigned to each violation, with critical violations — those most directly linked to foodborne illness — weighted more heavily than non-critical violations. When a restaurant is closed before a grading determination is made, or when the visit is a compliance or follow-up inspection, a letter grade may not be issued.

Restaurants that are closed by DOHMH are required to display a closure notice and may not resume service until inspectors confirm the cited conditions have been corrected.

More About This Restaurant

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