Queens, NY — Puerto Plata Restaurant, a Latin American establishment located at 149-19 Jamaica Avenue in Jamaica, Queens, received a score of 39 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 11, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, the lowest grade designation in New York City's restaurant grading system.

Inspectors documented one critical violation and two non-critical violations during the inspection. The data was released by DOHMH on February 13, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The most significant finding was a critical violation involving sanitized equipment or utensils, including in-use food dispensing utensils, that were improperly used or stored (Code 06E). This type of violation is classified as critical because it represents a condition that could directly contribute to foodborne illness. When sanitized equipment is not properly handled or stored after cleaning, it can become recontaminated, undermining the sanitization process entirely.

Inspectors also cited two non-critical violations:

Equipment and non-food contact surfaces were found to be made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit (Code 10F). This violation indicates maintenance and cleanliness issues with kitchen infrastructure that, while not posing an immediate food safety risk, can create conditions where contamination becomes more likely over time.

Additionally, the restaurant's current letter grade or Grade Pending card was not posted as required (Code 20-06). New York City requires all food service establishments to prominently display their most recent grade card where it is visible to customers entering the restaurant.

Food Safety Context

New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes the sanitation standards all food service establishments must maintain. The regulations align with the FDA Food Code, which provides science-based guidance on proper food handling, storage, and preparation.

The critical violation cited at Puerto Plata Restaurant relates directly to FDA Food Code requirements for the proper handling of cleaned and sanitized equipment. Once utensils and food-contact surfaces have been sanitized, they must be stored in a manner that protects them from contamination. Improper storage can expose sanitized items to airborne contaminants, splash, or contact with unsanitized surfaces, creating a pathway for harmful bacteria to reach food.

The requirement to post letter grade cards serves a consumer transparency function, allowing diners to make informed decisions before entering a restaurant. Failure to post the grade card is a violation of the city's restaurant grading regulations, which have been in effect since 2010.

Inspection History

Puerto Plata Restaurant's recent inspection record shows a pattern of elevated scores over the past year:

  • December 3, 2025: Score 35 (Grade Z)
  • June 5, 2025: Score 22
  • January 11, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • September 21, 2022: Score 22 (Grade B)

The restaurant had maintained a Grade A score as recently as January 2024, indicating compliance with health standards at that time. However, the three most recent inspections have all resulted in scores above the Grade A threshold, with the two most recent inspections placing the restaurant in the Grade C range. The December 2025 score of 35 and the current score of 39 represent the restaurant's highest recorded scores in the available inspection history.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades based on the total violation points recorded during an inspection. Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations:

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

Puerto Plata Restaurant's score of 39 falls well within the Grade C range. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are typically offered a re-inspection, during which they have the opportunity to improve their score and potentially receive a higher grade.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is publicly available online. The database provides detailed violation information, scores, and grading history for all inspected food service establishments in the five boroughs.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Puerto Plata Restaurant including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.