Brooklyn, NY — Mi Candilejas Restaurant, a Latin American eatery located at 1509 Mermaid Avenue in Brooklyn, received a Grade B following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted on March 31, 2026. The restaurant recorded a score of 24, placing it near the upper end of the B range and within four points of the Grade C threshold.
The inspection data was released by the DOHMH on April 6, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented one non-critical violation during the visit. The cited condition fell under Code 10F, which addresses non-food contact surfaces and equipment. Specifically, inspectors noted that a surface or unit was made of unacceptable material, was not kept clean, or was not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or positioned to allow access for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath.
While no critical violations were identified during this inspection — meaning no conditions directly linked to foodborne illness risk were recorded — the non-critical finding still contributed to a score that sits at the higher end of the B grade band. A score of 28 or above would result in a Grade C.
Food Safety Context
Under NYC Health Code Article 81, all permitted food service establishments are subject to unannounced inspections conducted by DOHMH inspectors. Violations are assigned point values based on their public health risk level. Critical violations carry higher point values and involve factors such as improper food temperatures, pest activity, or contamination risks. Non-critical violations typically relate to facility maintenance, equipment condition, and sanitation practices that, while less immediately dangerous, can contribute to an environment where food safety standards are harder to maintain.
The FDA Food Code similarly emphasizes that equipment must be designed and maintained to facilitate thorough cleaning. Surfaces that are difficult to access or made of porous materials can harbor bacteria over time, even when they are not in direct contact with food.
A score of 24, while technically within the passing B range, reflects a level of inspection findings that warrants attention. The B grade range spans from 14 to 27 points, and this result lands in the upper quarter of that band.
Inspection History
Mi Candilejas Restaurant has been inspected multiple times in recent years. The prior inspection record shows:
- May 30, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
- February 23, 2022: Score 18
- November 16, 2022: Score 62 (Grade C)
The restaurant's history reflects variability in inspection outcomes, including a Grade C result in late 2022, an improvement to a Grade A by mid-2024, and now a Grade B in the most recent cycle.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's letter grading system is based on point totals assigned during inspections:
- A: 0–13 points
- B: 14–27 points
- C: 28 or more points
Grades must be posted visibly at the restaurant entrance. Diners can look up full inspection records, including violation details and scores, through the NYC Open Data portal or the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection lookup tool at nyc.gov/health.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Mi Candilejas Restaurant including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.