Queens, NY — Occasions Banquet And Catering Hall, located at 127-08 Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica, received a score of 36 during a health inspection conducted on March 12, 2026, placing the establishment in Grade C territory. The score represents a significant decline from the restaurant's previously clean inspection record, which included consecutive Grade A scores dating back to 2022.

The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 16, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 12 inspection, inspectors documented one non-critical violation at the banquet and catering facility:

The establishment was cited under violation code 08A for not being free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This violation indicates that inspectors identified environmental conditions within the premises that could attract or sustain pest activity, such as gaps in walls or floors, improper waste storage, or accumulated debris in areas that could serve as nesting or hiding spots for vermin.

While this was recorded as a non-critical violation, the overall score of 36 points indicates that the cumulative weight of conditions observed during the inspection exceeded the threshold for a Grade C designation. The point total assigned to individual conditions reflects the severity and scope of what inspectors documented during their visit.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments operating within the five boroughs. Under these regulations, all restaurants and food service venues are required to maintain conditions that prevent pest harborage and infestation. The FDA Food Code similarly identifies pest management as a fundamental component of food safety operations.

Pest-conducive conditions are among the most commonly cited violations across New York City food establishments. The presence of conditions that could attract rodents, insects, or other pests raises concerns because vermin can contaminate food products, food preparation surfaces, and storage areas. Effective pest management requires both structural maintenance — sealing entry points and eliminating harborage — and operational practices such as proper waste disposal and regular cleaning protocols.

For a banquet and catering operation, which typically handles large-volume food preparation and service for events, maintaining pest-free conditions is particularly important given the scale of food handling involved.

Inspection History

The Grade C score marks a notable departure from the establishment's prior inspection record. Occasions Banquet And Catering Hall had maintained Grade A scores across its two most recent inspections:

  • June 27, 2024: Score 11 (Grade A)
  • August 3, 2022: Score 5 (Grade A)

The 2022 inspection resulted in a near-perfect score of 5 points, and the 2024 inspection score of 11 remained well within Grade A range. The jump from 11 to 36 points represents a 25-point increase and a shift from the best possible grade designation to the lowest.

Under DOHMH procedures, establishments that receive a Grade C during an initial inspection cycle have the opportunity to request a re-inspection. The restaurant may also contest the grade through an administrative tribunal hearing at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). The posted grade reflects the outcome of the most recent adjudicated inspection cycle.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points recorded during an inspection:

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

Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Restaurants are required to post their current grade where it is visible to the public. The grading system has been in effect since 2010 and covers more than 27,000 food service establishments across the city.

Consumers can review the full inspection history for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. Inspection records, including specific violation details and scores, are public record and updated as new data becomes available.

Occasions Banquet And Catering Hall is located at 127-08 Merrick Boulevard in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, NY 11434. The establishment is classified as an American cuisine venue.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Occasions Banquet And Catering Hall including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.