Queens, NY — Mario's Pizza, located at 14929 Guy R. Brewer Blvd in Jamaica, Queens, received a score of 33 during a health inspection conducted on March 12, 2026, placing the restaurant in Grade C territory. Inspectors documented two critical violations, including evidence of mice and adulterated food, marking a sharp decline from the establishment's prior Grade A record.

The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 17, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 12 inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified two critical violations and one non-critical violation at the pizza restaurant.

The most serious finding was evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas, cited under violation code 04L. The presence of rodent activity in a food service establishment poses direct risks to food safety, as mice can contaminate surfaces, ingredients, and prepared food with pathogens including Salmonella and Hantavirus.

Inspectors also cited the restaurant under violation code 04H for raw, cooked, or prepared food that was adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with the establishment's HACCP plan. This violation indicates that food handling procedures did not meet required safety standards during the inspection.

The third finding was a non-critical violation under code 19-04 for the use of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) single service articles not designated as recyclable material, a violation related to New York City's environmental regulations rather than food safety.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, restaurants are required to maintain sanitary conditions that prevent pest activity and ensure food is handled, stored, and prepared in a manner that prevents contamination.

The FDA Food Code, which informs local regulations, classifies rodent activity in food establishments as a critical public health hazard. Evidence of mice can indicate broader sanitation issues, including improper food storage, gaps in building maintenance, or inadequate cleaning protocols that allow pest populations to establish themselves.

Food adulteration violations, as cited under code 04H, relate to requirements that food be protected from contamination at every stage of preparation. HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) plans are designed to identify and control potential food safety hazards, and failure to follow these protocols can result in foodborne illness.

Restaurants that receive scores of 28 or above are subject to a Grade C designation and may be scheduled for a re-inspection to determine whether conditions have been corrected.

Inspection History

The March 2026 score represents a notable departure from Mario's Pizza's recent inspection record. The restaurant's prior inspections show:

  • November 22, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • June 27, 2024: Score 31
  • March 14, 2023: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • November 30, 2022: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • July 7, 2022: Score 19

The restaurant had achieved Grade A scores in three of its last five inspections, with scores of 12 or 13. However, the June 2024 inspection also resulted in a score of 31, suggesting that the issues identified in March 2026 may reflect a recurring pattern rather than an isolated incident. The current score of 33 is the highest recorded for the establishment in recent history.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

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

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

Lower scores indicate fewer violations and better compliance with health regulations. Restaurants that score 28 or above on an initial inspection are typically offered a re-inspection opportunity to improve their score before a final grade is posted.

All New York City restaurant inspection results are public record and can be reviewed on the DOHMH website or through the NYC Open Data portal. Consumers can search inspection histories by restaurant name, address, or borough to make informed dining decisions.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Mario's Pizza including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.