Queens, NY — Pico De Gallo, a Mexican restaurant at 80-09 Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, received a score of 27 during a health inspection conducted on February 27, 2026, according to data released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 6, 2026. The score places the restaurant at the very top of the Grade B range, just one point below the Grade C threshold of 28.
Inspectors documented two critical violations and no non-critical violations during the visit.
What Inspectors Found
Both violations cited during the inspection related to sanitation practices involving food contact surfaces and cleaning materials.
Inspectors identified that wiping cloths were not being stored clean and dry, or kept in a sanitizing solution, between uses (Code 06F). Wiping cloths that are not properly stored between uses can accumulate bacteria and become a vehicle for cross-contamination across kitchen surfaces.
Additionally, inspectors found 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). Food contact surfaces — including cutting boards, prep tables, and utensils — require a three-step cleaning process to prevent the transfer of harmful bacteria to food items.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes sanitation standards for all food service establishments in the city, including requirements for the proper cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces. The FDA Food Code similarly requires that food contact surfaces be cleaned and sanitized between uses to prevent cross-contamination.
The improper storage of wiping cloths is a commonly cited violation because cloths used to wipe down surfaces can harbor bacteria if not stored in an approved sanitizing solution at the correct concentration. When these cloths are then used on food preparation areas, they can spread contaminants rather than remove them.
A score of 27 is notable because it represents the maximum number of points a restaurant can receive while still maintaining a Grade B designation. One additional violation point would have placed the restaurant in Grade C territory.
Inspection History
Pico De Gallo's inspection record over the past several years shows a variable pattern of compliance:
- May 6, 2025: Score 12 (Grade A)
- Jan. 14, 2025: Score 29
- Sept. 14, 2023: Score 11
- Aug. 24, 2023: Score 48 (Grade C)
- Aug. 23, 2022: Score 36
The restaurant earned a Grade A with a score of 12 in its most recent prior inspection in May 2025. However, the record also includes a Grade C score of 48 in August 2023, indicating that sanitation compliance has fluctuated over time. The current score of 27 represents a significant increase from the previous Grade A result.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores under the DOHMH grading system:
- A: 0–13 points
- B: 14–27 points
- C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer violations and better compliance with health regulations. Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection have the option to request a re-inspection to improve their score.
Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database or by checking the letter grade posted at the establishment's entrance, as required by city law. Additional information about food safety standards is available through the NYC Department of Health website.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Pico De Gallo including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.