Queens, NY — Los Tres Potrillos, a Mexican restaurant located at 82-11 Roosevelt Avenue, received a score of 36 points during a health inspection conducted on March 10, 2026, resulting in a Grade C rating. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) documented five non-critical violations during the inspection, with data released to the public on March 12, 2026.

The establishment remained open following the inspection, with violations cited in multiple operational areas. Inspectors did not identify any critical violations that posed immediate public health risks requiring closure.

What Inspectors Found

Health inspectors documented several operational deficiencies during the March 10 inspection. The restaurant was cited twice for providing single-use plastic stirrers or splash sticks, a violation of NYC's single-use plastics regulations under the city's environmental compliance standards.

Inspectors also identified improper thawing procedures in the food preparation area. Proper thawing methods are essential to prevent bacterial growth and foodborne illness. According to FDA Food Code guidelines, food must be thawed under refrigeration, in cold running water, as part of the cooking process, or in a microwave if immediately cooked afterward.

The inspection noted the absence of a handwashing sign posted near or above the handwashing sink. NYC Health Code Article 81 requires visible signage reminding food workers to wash their hands, a basic but critical food safety measure to prevent pathogen transmission.

Inspectors also documented issues with anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices, drainage systems, and liquid waste disposal. These violations indicate problems with plumbing infrastructure that, if left unaddressed, could lead to contamination risks or improper sewage disposal.

Food Safety Context

The violations documented at Los Tres Potrillos fall under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes minimum standards for food service establishments. While none of the violations were classified as critical—meaning they did not pose immediate public health hazards—the cumulative point total reflects multiple operational deficiencies requiring correction.

Improper thawing procedures can allow food to remain in the temperature danger zone (41°F to 135°F) where bacteria multiply rapidly. The FDA Food Code specifically addresses thawing as a critical control point in food safety management systems.

The absence of handwashing signage, while a non-critical violation, represents a lapse in basic food safety protocols. Studies have shown that visible reminders significantly improve handwashing compliance among food workers, reducing the risk of pathogen transmission from hands to food or food-contact surfaces.

Plumbing and drainage issues, though non-critical in this instance, require prompt attention. Back-flow prevention devices protect potable water supplies from contamination, while proper drainage prevents standing water that can harbor bacteria or attract pests.

Inspection History

Los Tres Potrillos has a mixed inspection record over the past four years:

  • March 10, 2026: Score 36 (Grade C)
  • July 5, 2024: Score 33 (Grade C)
  • February 23, 2023: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • April 28, 2022: Score 0 (Grade A)

The restaurant earned perfect and near-perfect scores in 2022 and early 2023, but has received Grade C ratings in its two most recent inspections. This pattern indicates ongoing compliance challenges that have persisted since mid-2024.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City uses a point-based system where fewer points indicate better compliance:

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

Restaurants must post their letter grades in a conspicuous location visible to the public. Establishments have the right to request a re-inspection or administrative hearing to contest violations.

Public Health Resources

Consumers can access current and historical inspection data for any NYC restaurant through the city's online restaurant inspection database at nyc.gov/health. The DOHMH conducts unannounced inspections of food service establishments at least once per year, with additional inspections triggered by complaints or prior violations.

Questions about food safety or to report potential health code violations can be directed to 311 or the DOHMH Food Safety and Community Sanitation Division.

More About This Restaurant

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