Queens, NY — Prince Grill & Juice Bar, a sandwich and mixed buffet establishment at 38-01 Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on April 23, 2026, following a health inspection that recorded a score of 63 points. The closure marks the third consecutive inspection in which the restaurant received an elevated score, continuing a pattern that began in November 2025.

Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 27, 2026, four days after the inspection took place.

What Inspectors Found

During the April 23 inspection, inspectors cited one non-critical violation under Code 10H, which governs the handling and protection of single-service articles. Specifically, inspectors documented that drinking straws were not completely enclosed in a wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device as required.

Under New York City Health Code Article 81, single-service items — including utensils, containers, straws, and similar articles intended for one-time use — must be stored, transported, and dispensed in a manner that protects them from contamination. The requirement exists to prevent the transfer of pathogens through improperly handled items that come into direct contact with customers' mouths or food.

The inspection yielded a total score of 63 points. No critical violations were cited during this visit. The DOHMH action report notes that violations requiring immediate action were addressed on-site during the inspection, as is standard practice under the department's inspection protocol.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework governing food service establishments operating in New York City. The code sets standards for food handling and storage, temperature control, sanitation practices, pest management, and equipment maintenance, among other areas.

The FDA Food Code, which informs many provisions of Article 81, classifies violations based on their potential to contribute to foodborne illness. Critical violations are those most directly linked to illness risk, while non-critical violations relate to practices and conditions that, if left unaddressed, may create unsanitary conditions over time.

A DOHMH closure indicates that conditions observed during an inspection required intervention to protect public health. Establishments may reopen once any conditions necessitating immediate corrective action have been addressed to the satisfaction of inspectors.

Inspection History

Prince Grill & Juice Bar has been subject to three inspections over the past six months. The scores recorded across those visits reflect a consistent upward trend:

  • November 3, 2025: Score 28 (Grade N — Not Yet Graded)
  • January 21, 2026: Score 45 (Grade Z — Grade Pending)
  • April 23, 2026: Score 63, closed by DOHMH

In New York City's grading system, a "Grade N" designation is applied when an inspection score has not yet resulted in an official letter grade — commonly following a closure or at the start of a new inspection cycle. A "Grade Z" indicates the establishment has requested an administrative hearing through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) to contest its inspection score; the letter grade remains pending the outcome of that proceeding.

The November 2025 score of 28 placed the restaurant at the minimum threshold for a C grade. By January 2026, the score had risen to 45. The April 2026 inspection recorded a score of 63, more than double the lower boundary of the C-grade range.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on points recorded during an unannounced health inspection. The thresholds are as follows:

  • A: 0–13 points (fewest violations cited)
  • B: 14–27 points
  • C: 28 or more points (most violations cited)

Lower scores reflect stronger compliance with health code standards. Establishments scoring 28 or more points receive a C grade; the score recorded in this inspection exceeds that threshold by 35 points. When a restaurant is closed during an inspection, no letter grade is issued for that visit.

Inspection records for all New York City food service establishments are public information. Consumers can access the full inspection history for any restaurant through the NYC Open Data portal or the DOHMH restaurant search tool at nyc.gov.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Prince Grill & Juice Bar including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.