Staten Island, NY — Los Dos Mixtecas, a Mexican restaurant at 1285 Castleton Avenue in Staten Island, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on March 7, 2026. The restaurant received a score of 68 points, placing it well above the 28-point threshold for a grade C designation. Inspectors documented one critical violation related to the absence of an accessible hand washing facility.

The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 9, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 7 inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified a single critical violation at Los Dos Mixtecas. While only one violation was cited, the nature of the finding was serious enough to warrant immediate closure of the establishment.

The critical violation, cited under code 05D, documented that there was no hand washing facility in or adjacent to the toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service, or ware washing area. Inspectors further noted that the hand washing facility was not accessible, was obstructed, or was being used for non-hand washing purposes. The citation also recorded that there was no hot and cold running water or that water was at inadequate pressure, and that no soap or acceptable hand-drying device was available.

Hand washing access is considered one of the most fundamental requirements in food safety. Without a functional and accessible hand washing station, food workers cannot maintain basic hygiene standards during food preparation and service, creating conditions that can lead to the transmission of foodborne illness.

No non-critical violations were cited during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

The closure of Los Dos Mixtecas was carried out under the authority of NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishment operations in New York City. Under these regulations, DOHMH inspectors have the authority to order the immediate closure of a restaurant when conditions present a public health hazard.

Hand washing requirements are among the most strictly enforced provisions in both the NYC Health Code and the FDA Food Code. The FDA Food Code specifies that hand washing sinks must be accessible at all times for employee use and must be equipped with hot and cold running water, soap, and a means of drying hands. These sinks must be located within close proximity to food preparation and service areas to encourage frequent hand washing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, inadequate hand washing by food service workers is one of the leading contributing factors to foodborne illness outbreaks in restaurant settings. The absence of an accessible hand washing facility removes the ability for employees to comply with hand hygiene requirements altogether, which is why violations of this type are classified as critical and can result in immediate closure.

A score of 68 points on a single critical violation indicates that the condition was assessed with significant point weight, reflecting the severity of the finding in terms of public health risk.

Inspection History

Los Dos Mixtecas has been inspected by DOHMH on multiple prior occasions. The restaurant's recent inspection history shows a notable decline from earlier performance:

  • March 7, 2026: Score 68, closed by DOHMH (one critical violation)
  • September 25, 2025: Score 21 (no grade recorded in available data)
  • November 30, 2023: Score 9, Grade A

The restaurant had previously earned a Grade A in November 2023 with a score of 9, indicating strong compliance with health code requirements at that time. The September 2025 inspection showed a score of 21, representing a decline in compliance but still within the range for a Grade B. The March 2026 inspection marked a significant further decline, resulting in the establishment's closure.

Restaurants that are closed by DOHMH must correct the conditions that led to the closure and pass a re-inspection before being permitted to reopen. The timeline for reopening depends on how quickly the establishment addresses the cited violations and schedules a follow-up inspection.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection. Fewer points indicate better compliance with health code requirements:

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

A score of 68 falls deep within the Grade C range. Restaurants that receive a grade of C or are closed by DOHMH are typically subject to more frequent re-inspection to ensure compliance with health code requirements.

Consumers can look up the latest inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. Inspection scores and grades are also required to be posted at the entrance of each food service establishment.

For more information about NYC restaurant inspection scores and food safety standards, residents can visit the DOHMH website or call 311.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Los Dos Mixtecas including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.