Manhattan, NY — Planet Taco, a Mexican restaurant located at 705 9th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, received a score of 31 during a health inspection conducted on February 17, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory. Inspectors documented a critical violation related to improper hot food holding temperatures.
The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 20, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 17 inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified one critical violation at the establishment:
Hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food was not held at or above 140°F, as required under NYC Health Code regulations. This violation falls under code 02B and is classified as a critical food safety issue.
No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection cycle. The single critical violation was sufficient to bring the restaurant's score to 31 points, which exceeds the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation.
Food Safety Context
Maintaining proper holding temperatures for hot foods is a fundamental requirement of food safety operations. NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code both establish 140°F as the minimum temperature at which hot TCS foods must be held after cooking. TCS foods — which include items such as cooked meats, beans, rice, and cheese-based preparations — are particularly susceptible to bacterial growth when held in the temperature danger zone between 41°F and 140°F.
When hot foods fall below the 140°F threshold, conditions become favorable for the growth of pathogens including Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, and Bacillus cereus. The FDA Food Code identifies improper holding temperatures as one of the leading contributing factors in foodborne illness outbreaks associated with food service establishments.
For a Mexican restaurant where menu items commonly include cooked proteins, sauces, and prepared fillings, consistent temperature monitoring throughout service is essential for maintaining food safety standards.
Inspection History
Planet Taco's inspection record over the past two years shows a pattern of fluctuating scores:
- Feb 17, 2026: Score 31 (Grade C range)
- Sep 15, 2025: Score 26 (Grade B)
- May 17, 2025: Score 0
- Apr 15, 2025: Score 19
- Oct 29, 2024: Score 30 (Grade C)
- Feb 8, 2024: Score 23
The current score of 31 marks the second time in approximately 16 months that the restaurant has scored in the Grade C range. In October 2024, the establishment received a score of 30. The restaurant has also recorded scores in the Grade B range, including a 26 in September 2025 and a 23 in February 2024.
The May 2025 inspection resulted in a score of 0, indicating no violations were found during that visit. This demonstrates that the establishment has shown the ability to meet all inspection standards, though consistency has been a challenge.
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 to 13 points
- Grade B: 14 to 27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
A score of 31 falls into the Grade C category. Restaurants that do not receive an A on their initial inspection are entitled to a re-inspection, during which they have the opportunity to correct violations and achieve a lower score. Grade cards must be posted at the entrance of the establishment where they are visible to the public.
Consumers can look up the inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is updated regularly as new inspection data becomes available. All inspection results referenced in this report are based on public record data maintained by DOHMH.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Planet Taco including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.