Queens, NY — New Spicy House, a Chinese restaurant located at 133-35 Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on April 28, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 64, placing the establishment in Grade C territory under the city's restaurant grading system.

The closure marks the second consecutive failing inspection for the restaurant within roughly three months.

What Inspectors Found

During the April 28 inspection, one violation was documented — classified as non-critical. The cited violation, Code 09C, relates to the design, construction, materials, or maintenance of a food contact surface. Specifically, inspectors noted that a surface was not easily cleanable, sanitizable, or properly maintained.

Food contact surfaces — including cutting boards, prep tables, utensils, and equipment that directly touches food — must meet standards set by the FDA Food Code and NYC Health Code Article 81. When these surfaces are improperly constructed or fall into disrepair, they can harbor bacteria and contaminants that are difficult to remove through routine cleaning and sanitizing.

Although no critical violations were recorded during this inspection, the non-critical violation contributed to a score high enough to trigger closure under DOHMH protocols. DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed on-site at the time of inspection.

The restaurant's current status — whether it has since reopened following reinspection — was not reflected in data released by DOHMH as of April 30, 2026, the date this inspection data became publicly available.

Food Safety Context

New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes food safety requirements for all food service establishments in the five boroughs. The program is administered by DOHMH, which conducts unannounced inspections at least once per year for most restaurants.

Inspectors assess restaurants against a standardized violation list drawn from the FDA Food Code, a model set of federal guidelines adopted and adapted by local jurisdictions. Each violation carries a point value based on its potential risk to public health. Critical violations — those with the highest risk of directly causing foodborne illness — carry higher point values. Non-critical violations, like the one documented here, typically relate to equipment, facilities, or practices that, while not immediately dangerous, can contribute to conditions that raise health risks over time.

When a restaurant's score is high enough or when certain violations are present, DOHMH has the authority to order an immediate closure. The establishment must pass a reinspection before it is permitted to reopen to the public.

Inspection History

New Spicy House has recorded two inspections in the available DOHMH data:

  • Feb 2, 2026: Score 28 (Grade N — scored during initial or reopening inspection cycle)
  • Apr 28, 2026: Score 64, closed by DOHMH

A Grade N designation is assigned when a restaurant scores 28 or more points during its first inspection in a cycle. Rather than receiving a letter grade immediately, the restaurant is given the opportunity for a reinspection. If the score does not improve sufficiently at reinspection, a letter grade is then assigned based on the reinspection score.

The February score of 28 placed New Spicy House at the threshold between a B and C grade. The April score of 64 represents a significant increase in violation points and resulted in the closure action.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City uses a letter grading system to help consumers quickly assess restaurant inspection results. Grades are calculated based on the total number of points recorded during an inspection:

  • A: 0–13 points (lowest violation level)
  • B: 14–27 points
  • C: 28 or more points (highest violation level)

A score of 64, as recorded at New Spicy House on April 28, falls well within the C range. Grade cards must be posted in the restaurant's front window and are visible to the public prior to entering.

Restaurants that are closed by DOHMH do not display a letter grade until they have passed a reinspection and are permitted to reopen.

More About This Restaurant

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