Brooklyn, NY — La Huequita, a Spanish restaurant located at 1450 Myrtle Avenue in Bushwick, received a score of 28 following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted on February 2, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, the lowest passing grade in the city's restaurant grading system. Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the visit.

What Inspectors Found

The most significant finding involved improper temperature control of hot food items. Inspectors cited the restaurant under violation code 02B for failing to hold hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food at or above 140°F, as required by regulation. TCS foods — which include cooked meats, rice, beans, and other perishable items commonly found in Spanish cuisine — must be maintained at specific temperatures to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium perfringens.

When hot foods fall below the 140°F threshold and enter what food safety professionals refer to as the "danger zone" (between 41°F and 140°F), bacterial growth can double approximately every 20 minutes. This violation is classified as critical because it represents a condition that could directly contribute to foodborne illness.

Inspectors also documented a non-critical violation under code 10B related to the restaurant's plumbing and drainage systems. The citation noted issues with anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices, improper drainage of equipment or floors, or improper disposal of condensation or liquid waste. While classified as non-critical, drainage and plumbing deficiencies can create conditions that compromise overall food safety and sanitation if left unaddressed.

Food Safety Context

The temperature control requirement for hot TCS foods is grounded in both local and federal food safety standards. NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City, mandating that operators maintain hot foods at 140°F or above at all times during holding and service. This aligns with the FDA Food Code, which serves as the model for food safety regulations across the United States.

The DOHMH assigns point values to each violation identified during an inspection, with critical violations carrying higher point values than non-critical ones. A restaurant's total score determines its letter grade, with lower scores indicating fewer or less severe violations. In this case, La Huequita's combined score of 28 placed it just at the threshold for a Grade C designation.

Restaurants that receive a Grade C may request an adjudicatory hearing or schedule a re-inspection to attempt to improve their score. The grading system is designed to provide transparency to consumers and incentivize restaurants to maintain compliance with food safety standards.

Inspection History

This inspection represents the first recorded inspection for La Huequita in the DOHMH public database. No prior inspection history is available for comparison, which means there is no baseline to assess whether these findings represent an ongoing pattern or an isolated occurrence.

It should be noted that this inspection was conducted on February 2, 2026, with the data released publicly by the DOHMH on February 27, 2026. Conditions at the restaurant may have changed between the inspection date and the publication of this report.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by the DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on inspection scores:

  • A: 0–13 points (fewest violations)
  • B: 14–27 points (moderate violations)
  • C: 28 or more points (most violations)

Restaurants are required to post their current grade prominently near the entrance. A Grade C indicates that the establishment had significant violations at the time of inspection. Restaurants receiving a B or C grade are eligible for a re-inspection, and many establishments improve their scores on subsequent visits.

Consumers can look up inspection results for any restaurant in New York City through the DOHMH's publicly accessible database. Additional information about food safety standards and the restaurant grading program is available through the NYC Department of Health website.

More About This Restaurant

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