Queens, NY — Little Saigon Cuisine, a Southeast Asian restaurant located at 253-09 Northern Boulevard, received a Grade C health inspection rating after inspectors documented critical food safety violations on March 11, 2026. The establishment received a score of 40 points, well above the 28-point threshold that triggers a C grade under New York City's restaurant grading system.

The inspection data, released by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on March 13, 2026, shows violations were cited and the restaurant remains open for business.

What Inspectors Found

Health inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during their visit to Little Saigon Cuisine.

The critical violation involved improper food temperature control. Inspectors found hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items that had been cooked and cooled were being held for service without first being reheated to 165°F or above within the required two-hour timeframe. This violation carries particular significance because improperly reheated food can allow harmful bacteria to survive and multiply to dangerous levels.

TCS foods require careful temperature management because they provide ideal conditions for bacterial growth when held in the temperature danger zone between 41°F and 135°F. When previously cooked food is reheated for service, NYC Health Code Article 81 requires it reach 165°F within two hours to eliminate potential pathogens that may have developed during cooling and storage.

Inspectors also documented a non-critical violation related to equipment maintenance. Non-food contact surfaces or equipment were found to be made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

Food Safety Context

The documented violations relate to fundamental food safety principles established in both NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. Proper reheating of previously cooked foods serves as a critical control point in preventing foodborne illness.

According to the FDA Food Code, reheating cooked, cooled food to 165°F ensures the destruction of vegetative cells of bacteria, yeasts, and molds that may have grown during storage. The two-hour requirement prevents food from remaining in the temperature danger zone for extended periods.

Equipment maintenance violations, while non-critical, can create conditions that make thorough cleaning difficult and potentially harbor bacteria in hard-to-reach areas.

Inspection History

Little Saigon Cuisine has received multiple inspections in recent years:

  • March 11, 2026: Score 40 (Grade C)
  • October 22, 2024: Score 39 (Grade C)
  • February 14, 2023: Score 25 (Grade B)
  • May 17, 2022: Score 41 (Grade C)

The inspection record shows the restaurant has consistently scored in the B and C grade ranges over the past four inspections, indicating ongoing challenges with maintaining compliance with health code requirements.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on points accumulated during inspections, with fewer points indicating better compliance:

  • Grade A: 0-13 points
  • Grade B: 14-27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

Establishments scoring 28 points or higher receive a Grade C and must post this grade card in their front window. Restaurants have the right to request a re-inspection to attempt to improve their grade.

Public Health Resources

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene maintains a searchable database of all restaurant inspection results at nyc.gov/health. Consumers can look up any food service establishment's current grade, inspection history, and specific violations cited.

The department conducts unannounced inspections of restaurants at least once per year, with additional inspections triggered by complaints or previous violations. Inspection reports document conditions observed on the specific date of the visit and may not reflect current conditions.

For questions about food safety or to report concerns about a restaurant, contact 311 or visit the DOHMH website for information about filing a complaint.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Little Saigon Cuisine including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.