Queens, NY — Off Peak Coffee, a coffee and tea establishment located at 38-19 Main Street in Flushing, received a score of 30 during a health inspection conducted on February 25, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory. Inspectors documented two critical violations related to unapproved food sources and improperly handled damaged canned goods.
The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 27, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 25 inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified two critical violations at the establishment:
The first citation, recorded under violation code 03A, documented food from unapproved or unknown sources. This violation category covers several food safety concerns, including food that is home canned or home prepared, animals slaughtered or dressed on premises, Reduced Oxygen Packaged fish not frozen before processing, and ROP food prepared on premises and transported to another site. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, all food served in commercial establishments must come from approved, inspectable sources to ensure proper safety controls have been maintained throughout production and distribution.
The second citation, under violation code 09A, noted that swollen, leaking, rusted, or otherwise damaged canned food intended to be returned to a distributor was not segregated from intact product and was not clearly labeled "DO NOT USE." This violation addresses a key food safety protocol — damaged cans can harbor Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which produces a potentially fatal toxin. The FDA Food Code requires that compromised canned goods be immediately separated from usable inventory to prevent accidental use.
No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.
Food Safety Context
Both violations documented at Off Peak Coffee relate to foundational food safety principles outlined in NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code.
The requirement that food come from approved sources is one of the most fundamental provisions in food safety regulation. Approved sources are subject to regulatory oversight, routine inspection, and traceable supply chains. Food from unapproved or unknown sources bypasses these protections, making it impossible to verify that proper temperature controls, sanitation standards, and handling procedures were followed during production and transportation.
The proper handling of damaged canned goods is similarly critical. Cans that are swollen, leaking, or rusted may indicate compromised seals, which can allow harmful bacteria to contaminate the contents. Segregation and clear labeling of such products is a standard industry practice designed to prevent these items from being inadvertently served to customers.
Inspection History
Off Peak Coffee's recent inspection record shows a pattern of elevated scores over the past year:
- Feb 25, 2026: Score 30 (Grade C range)
- Jan 5, 2026: Score 20 (Grade B range)
- Oct 23, 2025: Score 0 (Grade A range)
- Oct 1, 2025: Score 28, closed by DOHMH
- Aug 7, 2025: Score 28 (Grade C)
- May 27, 2025: Score 38 (Grade C range)
The establishment has recorded scores of 28 or higher in four of its last six inspection cycles. Notably, the location was closed by DOHMH following its October 1, 2025 inspection after receiving a score of 28. A subsequent re-inspection on October 23, 2025 resulted in a score of 0, indicating all previously noted issues had been corrected at that time. However, scores have risen in the two inspections since that clean result.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection. Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations:
- A: 0 to 13 points
- B: 14 to 27 points
- C: 28 or more points
Off Peak Coffee's score of 30 falls in the Grade C range. Restaurants receiving a Grade C may request an adjudicatory hearing and may be subject to additional re-inspection.
Consumers can look up inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. Inspection scores, violation details, and grade histories are public record and are updated as new data becomes available.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Off Peak Coffee including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.