Queens, NY — Nabanno, a Bangladeshi restaurant located at 37-22 73rd Street in Jackson Heights, Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on July 7, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 70, placing the establishment in the C range under the city's restaurant grading system. The closure data was released by DOHMH on July 9, 2026.

According to inspection records, one critical violation was cited at the time of closure. DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed on-site, which is standard procedure before an establishment may apply to reopen.

What Inspectors Found

The single critical violation cited during the July 7 inspection falls under Code 06C, which addresses the protection of food, supplies, or equipment from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. Specifically, inspectors documented that condiments were not stored in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.

This type of violation is considered critical because improper condiment handling can expose food to cross-contamination from customers or the surrounding environment. Under NYC Health Code and FDA Food Code guidelines, condiments accessible to multiple customers must be served in single-use packets, individual sealed containers, or dispensed through equipment that prevents customer contact with the condiment supply. Open or communal condiment containers that allow repeated handling present an elevated contamination risk.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food safety practices for all food service establishments operating in New York City. Article 81 establishes requirements for food handling, storage, temperature control, sanitation, and equipment maintenance. Critical violations under this code are defined as those most directly tied to foodborne illness risk — including contamination of food or food-contact surfaces.

The FDA Food Code, which informs New York City's local regulations, similarly classifies condiment handling as a priority concern when shared or communal dispensing creates an opportunity for contamination. Inspectors are required to document any observed departure from these standards and, where warranted, to order corrective action or closure.

When DOHMH closes an establishment, the owner or operator must correct all cited violations and pass a re-inspection before resuming service. Establishments that address violations at the time of inspection may apply for re-inspection more quickly, though reopening is not automatic.

Inspection History

Nabanno's recent inspection record shows a pattern of elevated scores prior to the July 2026 closure:

  • July 7, 2026: Score 70, closed by DOHMH — one critical violation cited
  • December 17, 2025: Score 30 (Grade Z)
  • December 9, 2025: Score 36

The December 2025 inspections reflect scores in the 30s, which fall in the C range and indicate a period of repeated noncompliance findings. A Grade Z designation is issued when an establishment has been inspected but has not yet received a letter grade, typically because a re-inspection is pending. The July 2026 closure follows this recent history of higher point totals.

Inspection scores are cumulative — each violation carries a point value, and the total determines both the grade and whether corrective action or closure is required. A score of 70 is substantially above the thresholds for any letter grade, indicating multiple or severe violations beyond what is typical even for a C-grade establishment.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant letter grade system translates inspection scores into publicly posted grades:

  • A: Score of 0 to 13 points (fewest violations)
  • B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • C: Score of 28 or more points (most violations)

Grades are required to be posted in the window of every food service establishment. When an establishment is closed by DOHMH, no grade is posted until it passes re-inspection. A score of 70 — as recorded at Nabanno on July 7 — falls well into C territory and triggered the closure action.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any NYC restaurant, including violation details and grade history, through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database, available at the NYC Open Data portal. The database is updated regularly as new inspections are completed and processed.

Anyone who believes they experienced a foodborne illness after dining at a New York City restaurant can file a report with the DOHMH through the city's 311 system, either online or by phone.

More About This Restaurant

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