Queens, NY — Parlay, a Latin American restaurant located at 36-08 30th Avenue in Astoria, Queens, was cited for four critical food safety violations during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted on January 17, 2026. The restaurant received a score of 90 points, placing it well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C rating. The restaurant has since reopened following a subsequent re-inspection.
What Inspectors Found
During the January 17 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented five total violations — four classified as critical and one non-critical.
Among the most significant findings, inspectors identified an inadequate or improper sewage disposal system at the establishment (Code 05A). Sewage system deficiencies can pose serious risks to food safety and overall sanitary conditions within a restaurant.
Inspectors also documented that raw, cooked, or prepared food was adulterated, contaminated, or cross-contaminated, or was not discarded in accordance with the restaurant's HACCP plan (Code 04H). This violation indicates that food handling procedures did not meet required safety standards at the time of inspection.
Additionally, cold temperature-controlled-for-safety (TCS) food items were found held above 41°F (Code 02G). Proper cold holding temperatures are essential for preventing bacterial growth in perishable foods. When TCS items are stored above required temperatures, the risk of foodborne illness increases.
Inspectors further noted that food contact surfaces were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred (Code 06D). This violation applies to surfaces such as cutting boards, prep tables, and utensils that come into direct contact with food.
The single non-critical violation involved the restaurant's failure to prominently post its workplace Smoke-Free Air Act policy (Code 15-37).
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, restaurants are required to maintain proper food storage temperatures, ensure adequate sanitation of food contact surfaces, and maintain functioning sewage and plumbing systems.
The FDA Food Code, which serves as the model for many local food safety regulations, specifies that cold TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below to limit the growth of harmful bacteria. Foods held in the temperature danger zone — between 41°F and 135°F — can develop dangerous levels of pathogens within hours.
Sewage disposal violations are particularly noteworthy under NYC regulations, as functional plumbing and waste systems are considered fundamental to maintaining a sanitary food service environment. The presence of sewage-related issues can affect multiple areas of food safety simultaneously.
A score of 90 points represents a significant accumulation of violations during a single inspection. For context, restaurants scoring 0-13 points receive a Grade A, while those scoring 28 or more points fall into Grade C territory.
Inspection History
Parlay's recent inspection record shows variability in compliance over the past year:
- January 22, 2026: Score 3 (Grade Z) — Reopened
- January 17, 2026: Score 90 — Violations cited (this inspection)
- October 24, 2025: Score 29
- June 26, 2025: Score 12 (Grade A)
- February 20, 2025: Score 38
The restaurant's history shows a pattern of fluctuation between passing and failing scores. Parlay achieved a Grade A with a score of 12 in June 2025, but scores of 38 in February 2025 and 29 in October 2025 indicate recurring compliance challenges. Following the 90-point inspection on January 17, 2026, the restaurant underwent a re-inspection on January 22, 2026, receiving a score of 3 and reopening.
The January 22 re-inspection score of 3 indicates that the restaurant addressed the previously cited violations and demonstrated substantial compliance with health code requirements at that time.
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 (lowest number of violation points)
- B: 14-27 points
- C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer and less severe violations. Restaurants that receive a grade of B or C may request a re-inspection or contest results through an administrative tribunal hearing. Grade cards must be posted at the restaurant entrance where they are visible to the public.
A "Grade Z" designation, as noted in Parlay's January 22 re-inspection, indicates a score issued during a re-inspection following a previous cycle's inspection. The score of 3 earned during that re-inspection reflects conditions at the time of that visit.
Data Freshness and Public Records
This inspection was conducted on January 17, 2026. The data was released publicly by DOHMH on February 10, 2026. Conditions at any food service establishment can change between inspection dates, and a single inspection represents a snapshot of conditions at a specific point in time.
All New York City restaurant inspection results are public record and are available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can search for any restaurant's inspection history, violations, and current grade at the NYC Department of Health website or through the NYC Open Data portal.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Parlay including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.