Queens, NY — Mr. Dong Yaxi Tea, a coffee and tea establishment located at 136-70 Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing, received a score of 34 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 11, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, the lowest grade issued under the city's restaurant grading system.

The inspection identified one critical violation and no non-critical violations. The data was released publicly by DOHMH on February 17, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented a single critical violation related to food safety handling practices. Specifically, the establishment was cited under violation code 04H for raw, cooked, or prepared food that was adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with the facility's Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan.

HACCP plans are systematic food safety protocols that identify potential hazards in food preparation and establish procedures to prevent contamination. When an establishment fails to follow its own HACCP plan, it means that established safeguards designed to protect consumers from foodborne illness were not being properly implemented at the time of inspection.

Despite recording only one violation, the critical nature of the finding — involving the fundamental safety of food served to customers — resulted in a score of 34 points, well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation.

Food Safety Context

Food adulteration and contamination violations are among the most serious findings in restaurant inspections. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain conditions that prevent food from becoming unsafe for consumption. The FDA Food Code further establishes that all food must be protected from contamination during storage, preparation, display, and service.

Violation code 04H specifically addresses situations where food has been compromised through adulteration, contamination, or cross-contamination, or where food that should have been discarded under the facility's safety plan was retained. Cross-contamination can occur when raw proteins come into contact with ready-to-eat foods, when unclean surfaces or utensils transfer pathogens, or when improper storage allows contaminants to reach food products.

For tea and coffee establishments that also prepare or serve food items, adherence to HACCP protocols is essential to ensuring that all products served meet food safety standards.

Inspection History

Mr. Dong Yaxi Tea has one prior inspection on record with DOHMH:

  • September 23, 2024: Score 15 (Grade N)

The Grade N designation from the 2024 inspection indicates the restaurant was within its initial inspection cycle and had not yet received a posted letter grade at that time. A score of 15 in that inspection placed the establishment in Grade B range (14-27 points), suggesting some violations were present but at a lower severity level than the most recent findings.

The jump from a score of 15 to 34 represents a notable decline in inspection performance, with the establishment moving from Grade B range to Grade C territory.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total points accumulated during an inspection. Points are assessed for each violation found, with critical violations carrying higher point values:

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

Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations and reflect better compliance with food safety regulations. A Grade C score of 28 or more points indicates significant food safety concerns were identified during the inspection.

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are offered a re-inspection, typically within a month, at which point a new grade is determined. Establishments may post a "Grade Pending" card while awaiting re-inspection.

All New York City restaurant inspection results are public record and can be accessed through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can look up any restaurant's current grade, inspection history, and specific violations found at each inspection. The inspection data referenced in this article is sourced from publicly available DOHMH records and is presented for informational purposes.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Mr. Dong Yaxi Tea including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.