Queens, NY — Panda King Kitchen, a Chinese restaurant located at 149-11 41st Avenue in Flushing, received a score of 39 during a health inspection conducted on March 14, 2026, according to data released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 16, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, with inspectors documenting two critical violations and no non-critical violations.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 14 inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified two critical violations at the establishment:

Live cockroaches were documented in the facility's food or non-food areas (violation code 04M). The presence of live roaches in a food service establishment represents a significant food safety concern, as cockroaches are known carriers of bacteria including Salmonella and E. coli, and can contaminate food, preparation surfaces, and utensils.

Inspectors also cited the restaurant for failing to hold hot Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) food items at or above 140 °F (violation code 02B). TCS foods — which include cooked meats, rice, cooked vegetables, and other protein-rich or moisture-rich items — require strict temperature control to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. When these foods fall below the 140 °F threshold, they enter what food safety professionals refer to as the "danger zone" (41 °F to 140 °F), where bacterial growth can accelerate rapidly.

No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection cycle.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments operating in New York City. Under these regulations, restaurants are required to maintain pest-free environments and hold all TCS foods at safe temperatures — at or above 140 °F for hot items and at or below 41 °F for cold items.

The FDA Food Code, which serves as the basis for many local food safety regulations, classifies both pest activity and improper food temperature holding as high-risk conditions. Live cockroach activity in a food establishment can result in contamination of food contact surfaces and stored ingredients, while temperature abuse of TCS foods is one of the leading contributing factors in foodborne illness outbreaks nationwide.

The DOHMH inspection noted that violations were cited but did not indicate that the restaurant was ordered closed at the time of the inspection. The action recorded was that violations were cited in the identified areas.

Inspection History

A review of Panda King Kitchen's inspection record shows a pattern of scores that have fluctuated over the past three years:

  • March 14, 2026: Score 39 (Grade C range)
  • April 25, 2025: Score 27 (Grade B range)
  • December 30, 2024: Score 28 (Grade C)
  • June 26, 2024: Score 34 (Grade C range)
  • March 14, 2023: Score 8 (Grade A)

The restaurant earned a Grade A with a score of 8 in March 2023, indicating full compliance at that time. However, subsequent inspections have recorded elevated scores, with three of the last four inspections producing scores of 28 or higher. The current score of 39 represents the highest score recorded in the restaurant's recent inspection history.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total points accumulated during an inspection. Points are assessed for each violation found, with critical violations carrying higher point values:

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

Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. A Grade C score of 39 indicates that inspectors documented conditions that cumulatively represent significant departures from food safety standards.

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are entitled to a re-inspection, during which they have the opportunity to correct cited violations and potentially earn a higher grade. Grade cards must be posted at the restaurant entrance where they are visible to the public.

Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal. Inspection results for Panda King Kitchen and all other NYC food service establishments are public record and updated regularly as new inspection data becomes available.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Panda King Kitchen including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.