Queens, NY — Maxim Garden, a Chinese restaurant located at 138-61 Queens Boulevard in Queens, received a score of 28 during a New York City health inspection conducted on February 12, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, the lowest grade issued under the city's restaurant grading system.

Inspectors from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the inspection. The data was released by DOHMH on February 17, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The most significant finding was a critical violation under code 04L: evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas. The presence of mice in a food service establishment represents a direct risk to food safety, as rodents can contaminate food, food preparation surfaces, and storage areas with pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli.

Inspectors also cited a non-critical violation under code 08A, noting that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This violation typically refers to structural gaps, improper food storage, accumulated debris, or other environmental factors that can attract or sustain pest populations. The two violations are closely related — conditions conducive to pests often precede or accompany active pest evidence.

The inspection resulted in violations being cited, though no closure order was issued at the time of the visit.

Food Safety Context

Pest control is a foundational requirement of food safety regulation at both the local and federal level. NYC Health Code Article 81 requires food service establishments to maintain premises free from vermin and conditions that attract pests. The FDA Food Code similarly mandates that food establishments implement effective pest management programs and maintain facilities in a condition that prevents pest entry and harborage.

Evidence of mice in a restaurant setting is classified as a critical violation because of the direct public health risk. Rodents can carry and transmit a range of foodborne illnesses. Their droppings, urine, and hair can contaminate food products and preparation surfaces, even in areas where food is not directly stored. The related harborage violation suggests underlying conditions that, if left unaddressed, could allow pest activity to continue or worsen.

Establishments cited for pest-related violations are generally expected to engage licensed pest control services and address any structural or sanitation deficiencies that contribute to the problem. Follow-up inspections by DOHMH typically verify that corrective actions have been taken.

Inspection History

No prior inspection history is available for Maxim Garden in DOHMH public records. This may indicate that the February 2026 inspection was the establishment's first recorded inspection under its current permit, or that prior records are not reflected in the current dataset.

Without historical data, it is not possible to assess whether the violations documented represent a new issue or a recurring condition. Future inspections will establish a track record for the restaurant's compliance with city health codes.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection. The grading scale is as follows:

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

Maxim Garden's score of 28 falls at the threshold for a Grade C designation. Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are offered a re-inspection, during which they have the opportunity to improve their score and receive a higher grade.

Grade cards are required to be posted at the entrance of the restaurant so that customers can make informed decisions. All inspection results, including violation details and scores, are available to the public through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database.

Consumers seeking additional information about Maxim Garden's inspection results or NYC restaurant grades in general can visit the DOHMH website or search the city's public restaurant inspection records online.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Maxim Garden including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.