Queens, NY — Monahan & Fitzgerald, an Irish restaurant located at 214-17 41st Avenue in Bayside, Queens, received a score of 49 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 19, 2026. That score places the establishment in Grade C territory under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on March 23, 2026.

The restaurant had maintained Grade A scores across its two prior recorded inspections, making the March 2026 result a notable departure from its recent compliance history.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one violation during the March 19 inspection, classified as non-critical under the city's scoring framework. The violation, recorded under Code 10B, relates to plumbing and drainage infrastructure: an anti-siphon or back-flow prevention device was not provided where required, or equipment and flooring were not properly drained, or the sewage disposal system was found to be in disrepair or not functioning properly. The citation also covers the improper disposal of condensation or liquid waste.

Back-flow prevention devices are required to protect the potable water supply from potential contamination caused by reverse water flow. Proper floor drainage is necessary to prevent standing water, which can contribute to unsanitary conditions and pest activity in food preparation and storage areas.

No critical violations were identified during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the sanitation standards that all food service establishments operating in the five boroughs are required to meet. Plumbing-related requirements, including back-flow prevention and proper drainage, fall under these standards because failures in this area can directly affect the safety of the water supply and the overall cleanliness of a food preparation environment.

The FDA Food Code, which informs local regulations across the country, similarly addresses plumbing systems as a foundational component of food safety infrastructure. Properly functioning drainage systems help prevent cross-contamination, reduce conditions favorable to pest harborage, and support general sanitation compliance.

DOHMH inspectors assign point values to each violation based on the risk category and the nature of the condition observed. A score of 49 points on a single non-critical violation is on the higher end for that violation category, and reflects the severity or extent of the condition as assessed by the inspector on site.

Inspection History

Public records show the following inspection history for Monahan & Fitzgerald:

  • June 21, 2023: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • May 18, 2022: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • March 19, 2026: Score 49 (Grade C)

The restaurant's prior two inspections resulted in identical scores of 12, well within Grade A range. The March 2026 result represents the first Grade C recorded in the available inspection history for this location.

Under DOHMH procedures, an establishment that receives a score of 28 or higher on an initial inspection is subject to a reinspection. If the reinspection score also results in a grade below A, the establishment receives that lower grade officially. If the reinspection results in a score of 13 or below, the restaurant may be issued a Grade A at that time. Grade Pending cards are typically posted during the period between an initial inspection and any reinspection.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system for restaurants, administered by DOHMH, is based on the total number of points accumulated during an inspection. Each violation carries a set point value depending on its risk classification:

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

Grades are required to be posted in a location visible from outside the establishment. Critical violations — those most likely to contribute directly to foodborne illness — carry higher point values than non-critical violations, which typically relate to facility maintenance, equipment, or structural conditions.

Consumers can review full inspection records, including violation descriptions and scores, through the DOHMH's NYC Restaurant Inspection Results database, available at the NYC Open Data portal. Complaints about food service establishments can be submitted to 311 by phone or online.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Monahan & Fitzgerald including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.