Brooklyn, NY — La Huequita, a Spanish restaurant at 1450 Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection on March 17, 2026. The establishment received a score of 84, well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C, after inspectors documented evidence of rats on the premises.

The closure marks the second significant inspection action taken against the restaurant in approximately six weeks, following a February 2026 inspection that also resulted in a failing score.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 17 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited La Huequita for one critical violation:

  • Evidence of rats or live rats in the establishment's food or non-food areas (Violation Code 04K)

This violation falls under one of the most serious categories in the NYC restaurant inspection framework. The presence of rodents in a food service establishment poses direct risks to food safety, as rats can contaminate food, food preparation surfaces, and storage areas with pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli.

The inspection resulted in the establishment being closed by DOHMH, with the agency noting that violations requiring immediate action were addressed. A score of 84 points indicates significant departure from food safety standards, as NYC restaurants receiving 28 or more points fall into the Grade C range.

Food Safety Context

Rodent activity in food service establishments is treated as a high-priority public health concern under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishment sanitation requirements. The regulation requires that food establishments be maintained free of vermin, including rats, mice, and insects.

The FDA Food Code, which serves as the basis for many local food safety regulations, classifies pest activity in food establishments as a critical violation due to the potential for disease transmission. Rodents can carry a range of pathogens and parasites, and their presence in areas where food is stored, prepared, or served creates conditions for contamination.

Under DOHMH enforcement protocols, establishments found to have active rodent infestations may be subject to immediate closure to protect public health. Restaurants that are closed must correct the cited conditions and pass a re-inspection before they are permitted to reopen.

Inspection History

La Huequita's recent inspection record shows a pattern of food safety concerns:

  • March 17, 2026: Score 84, closed by DOHMH — evidence of rats cited
  • February 2, 2026: Score 28 (Grade N) — the restaurant's previous inspection approximately six weeks earlier

The February inspection resulted in a score of 28 with a Grade N designation, meaning the grade was pending further adjudication. A score of 28 places a restaurant at the lowest end of the Grade C range and suggests violations were already present at that time.

The progression from a score of 28 in February to a score of 84 in March, combined with a closure action, indicates a significant escalation in the severity of conditions documented at the establishment. The data was released by DOHMH on March 19, 2026, two days after the inspection was conducted.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on inspection scores. Lower scores indicate fewer violations and better compliance with food safety standards:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points — the establishment is in substantial compliance with food safety requirements
  • Grade B: 14–27 points — some violations were identified that require correction
  • Grade C: 28 or more points — significant violations were documented

La Huequita's score of 84 points places it far above the Grade C threshold of 28 points. Restaurants that receive a Grade C or are closed by DOHMH have the right to request a hearing with the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) to contest inspection findings.

Public Resources

Consumers can look up the inspection history of any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the city's open data portal. The database includes inspection dates, scores, violation details, and any enforcement actions taken.

Residents who observe potential food safety concerns at any restaurant can file a complaint with DOHMH by calling 311 or submitting a report online through the NYC 311 website. All inspection records referenced in this article are based on publicly available data released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

More About This Restaurant

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