Queens, NY — Noodle Craft, a Chinese restaurant located at 10-39 47th Road in Long Island City, received a score of 43 during a health inspection conducted on February 12, 2026, according to data released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 16, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, the lowest letter grade issued under New York City's restaurant grading system. All three violations cited were classified as critical.
What Inspectors Found
The inspection identified three critical violations and no non-critical violations at the establishment.
The most serious finding involved food from unapproved or unknown sources. Under violation code 03A, inspectors documented that the restaurant had food that was prohibited — sourced from unapproved or unknown origins. This category also covers home-canned or home-prepared food, animal products slaughtered or dressed on premises, and Reduced Oxygen Packaged fish not properly frozen before processing. The presence of food from unverified sources represents a significant food safety concern because the supply chain cannot be confirmed to meet safety standards.
Inspectors also cited the restaurant for two separate temperature control failures. Under violation code 02G, cold Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) food items were found held above 41°F. Cold TCS foods must be maintained at or below 41°F to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Under violation code 02B, hot TCS food items were found not held at or above 140°F. When hot foods drop below this threshold, they enter the temperature "danger zone" between 41°F and 140°F, where bacteria can multiply rapidly.
Food Safety Context
The violations documented at Noodle Craft relate to foundational food safety requirements outlined in NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. Temperature control for TCS foods is one of the most critical aspects of food safety regulation. The FDA Food Code identifies improper holding temperatures as a leading contributing factor to foodborne illness outbreaks in restaurant settings.
The requirement that food come from approved sources is a core principle of food safety regulation. NYC Health Code Article 81 mandates that all food served in restaurants be obtained from sources that comply with applicable laws and that can be traced through the supply chain. Food from unapproved sources bypasses the inspection and safety systems designed to protect consumers.
A score of 43 points reflects multiple serious departures from food safety standards. Under the DOHMH scoring system, lower scores indicate fewer violations, and the three critical violations found at Noodle Craft each carry substantial point values.
Inspection History
Noodle Craft's inspection record shows a pattern of increasing scores over the past several years:
- October 9, 2025: Score 21 (Grade B)
- June 16, 2025: Score 24
- January 17, 2024: Score 25 (Grade B)
- March 16, 2023: Score 14
The February 2026 score of 43 represents the restaurant's highest recorded score and its first result in Grade C range. The establishment had previously maintained scores in the Grade B range for its last three inspections, with its best recent result being a 14 in March 2023. The progression from 14 to 21 to 24 to 25 to 43 shows a sustained upward trend in violation points over the past three years.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on inspection scores:
- A: 0–13 points
- B: 14–27 points
- C: 28 or more points
Restaurants that receive a B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection. The grade posted in the restaurant window reflects the most recent adjudicated result. Inspection results, scores, and violation details are public record and available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database.
Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history on the NYC DOHMH website or through the NYC Open Data portal. The restaurant's current grade card, which must be displayed at the entrance, reflects its most recent grading outcome.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Noodle Craft including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.