Staten Island, NY — Health inspectors cited New China Buffet at 2636 Hylan Boulevard for critical food safety violations during a March 9, 2026 inspection, resulting in a score of 33 points and a Grade C rating. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) released the inspection data on March 11.

Inspectors documented one critical violation at the Chinese restaurant, which remains open to the public following the inspection.

What Inspectors Found

The critical violation involved temperature control of potentially hazardous foods. Inspectors found cold time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items held above the required 41°F threshold. NYC Health Code Article 81 requires restaurants to maintain cold foods at or below 41°F to prevent bacterial growth that can cause foodborne illness.

TCS foods include items such as meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, cooked rice, cut fruits and vegetables, and other prepared foods that require time and temperature control to remain safe for consumption. When these foods are stored above safe temperatures, harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria can multiply rapidly.

The violation code 02G specifically addresses cold food storage and also covers smoked or processed fish held above 38°F, intact raw eggs held above 45°F, and reduced oxygen packaged foods held above their required temperatures, except during active necessary preparation.

Food Safety Context

Temperature control represents one of the most critical factors in preventing foodborne illness. The FDA Food Code, which forms the basis for NYC Health Code Article 81, establishes temperature requirements based on extensive research into bacterial growth patterns and food safety risks.

Cold foods enter the "temperature danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, where bacteria can double in number every 20 minutes under optimal conditions. Restaurants must maintain proper refrigeration equipment and monitor food temperatures throughout storage and service to prevent this growth.

For buffet-style restaurants like New China Buffet, temperature control presents additional challenges due to the extended holding times of prepared foods and the frequent opening of refrigeration units during service. DOHMH requires these establishments to use properly calibrated thermometers and maintain temperature logs to ensure compliance.

Inspection History

New China Buffet has received multiple inspections over the past three years, with varying results:

  • March 9, 2026: Score 33 (Grade C)
  • May 5, 2025: Score 44 (Grade Z - pending)
  • December 14, 2024: Score 27 (Grade B)
  • August 13, 2024: Inspection conducted (score pending)
  • December 12, 2023: Score 33 (Grade C)
  • August 24, 2023: Score 51 (Grade pending)
  • November 9, 2022: Score 10 (Grade A)

The inspection record shows the restaurant achieved a Grade A score in 2022 but has since received higher scores indicating increased violations. This marks the second time since December 2023 that the establishment has received exactly 33 points.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City uses a points-based grading system for restaurant inspections, where lower scores indicate better compliance with food safety regulations:

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

Each violation carries a point value based on its severity. Critical violations, which pose immediate risk to public health, carry higher point values than general violations. Restaurants must post their current grade card in a location visible to customers entering the establishment.

Restaurants have the right to request a re-inspection if they receive a B or C grade. The newer grade replaces the previous one, whether higher or lower.

Public Health Resources

The DOHMH conducts unannounced inspections of food service establishments throughout New York City as part of its regulatory oversight program. Inspection results become public record and are available through the city's online restaurant inspection database.

Consumers can view current and historical inspection results for any NYC restaurant at nyc.gov or through the city's ABCEats mobile application. The database provides detailed violation descriptions, inspection dates, and current grade information.

Anyone who believes they have experienced foodborne illness after dining at a NYC restaurant should contact the DOHMH at 311 to file a report.

More About This Restaurant

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