Queens, NY — Or-Yehuda, a Jewish/Kosher restaurant located at 138-44 86 Avenue in Jamaica, Queens, received a health inspection score of 26 on March 25, 2026, placing it at the upper boundary of the Grade B range and two points from the Grade C threshold. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) released the inspection data on March 27, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one critical violation during the March visit. The cited violation, Code 04L, pertains to evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas. No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.

A score of 26 places Or-Yehuda at the high end of the Grade B range. A score of 28 or higher would result in a Grade C, meaning this inspection fell within two points of that outcome.

Food Safety Context

Mouse activity in a food service establishment is classified as a critical violation under NYC Health Code Article 81 and is consistent with FDA Food Code provisions addressing pest control and contamination prevention. Critical violations are those that pose a direct risk to public health, including potential contamination of food preparation surfaces, equipment, and stored ingredients.

Pest evidence can indicate gaps in building structure, waste management, or food storage practices. Establishments are expected to maintain conditions that prevent rodent access and harborage under Article 81 of the New York City Health Code.

DOHMH inspectors conduct unannounced visits and score each establishment based on the number and severity of violations identified. The resulting grade must be posted publicly at the restaurant's entrance.

Inspection History

Or-Yehuda's recent inspection record shows variability in scores over the past several years:

  • August 20, 2025: Score 21 (Grade B)
  • October 2, 2023: Score 7 (Grade A)
  • August 1, 2023: Score 30 (Grade C)

The restaurant previously received a Grade A in October 2023 with a strong score of 7. However, the two most recent inspections — August 2025 and March 2026 — both resulted in Grade B scores of 21 and 26, respectively. The August 2023 inspection produced a score of 30, which falls in the Grade C range.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

DOHMH assigns letter grades to restaurants based on their inspection scores:

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

Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. A Grade B means inspectors identified violations that, while not immediately resulting in closure, require correction. Restaurants scoring in the Grade B or C range are typically scheduled for a reinspection.

Diners can look up the full inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database at nyc.gov. Inspection reports are public record and include violation details, scores, and grade history for each establishment.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Or-Yehuda including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.