Queens, NY — La Nostra Pizzeria And Restaurant, located at 84-07 Jamaica Avenue in the Woodhaven neighborhood of Queens, received a score of 40 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 23, 2026, resulting in a Grade C rating. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 26, 2026. Inspectors identified two non-critical violations, documenting pest harborage conditions and improperly stored damaged canned goods.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited the establishment under Code 08A, recording that the restaurant was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This violation indicates the presence of physical conditions — such as structural gaps, clutter, or improper storage arrangements — that could facilitate pest activity on the premises.

A second violation was recorded under Code 09A, noting that swollen, leaking, rusted, or otherwise damaged canned food products were not segregated from intact product and were not clearly labeled "Do Not Use," as required. Compromised canned goods pose food safety risks including the potential for anaerobic bacterial growth associated with damaged or improperly sealed packaging.

Both violations were classified as non-critical. No closure action was taken; the establishment remained open following the inspection with violations cited.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes operational standards for food service establishments in New York City, including requirements for pest prevention, physical facility maintenance, and safe food storage practices. The FDA Food Code, which informs local regulations, similarly requires that establishments be maintained free of conditions conducive to pest entry and harborage, and that potentially unsafe or damaged food items be clearly identified and kept separate from usable product.

A score of 40 places the establishment above the Grade C threshold of 28 points. Under the DOHMH's restaurant grading system, establishments that score 14 or above during an initial inspection are not immediately assigned a posted grade. Instead, they undergo a re-inspection cycle, and the score from the second inspection determines the grade displayed publicly. The April 22, 2026 entry in the inspection record — showing a score of 30 with a Grade Z (grade pending) designation — reflects this re-inspection process following the March visit.

Inspection History

La Nostra Pizzeria And Restaurant's recent inspection record shows notable variation in compliance scores over the past several years:

  • April 22, 2026: Score 30 (Grade Z — grade pending re-inspection)
  • March 23, 2026: Score 40 (Grade C) — subject of this report
  • December 19, 2024: Score 2 (Grade A)
  • February 29, 2024: Score 33
  • April 11, 2023: Score 22 (Grade B)
  • August 30, 2022: Score 26

The December 2024 inspection produced a score of 2, one of the lowest possible results, indicating strong compliance at that time. Scores have fluctuated significantly across inspection cycles, ranging from near-perfect to well above the Grade C threshold.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

The DOHMH posts letter grades at all inspected establishments following the grading inspection cycle. Grades reflect the number and severity of violations identified during unannounced inspections:

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

Critical violations — those considered most likely to contribute directly to foodborne illness — carry higher point values than non-critical violations. Non-critical violations, such as those cited at this establishment, relate to conditions that are less immediately linked to foodborne illness risk but nonetheless reflect departures from required standards.

Consumers can review full inspection records for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant grading website or the NYC OpenData portal, where violation details, scores, and grade history are publicly available.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for La Nostra Pizzeria And Restaurant including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.