Queens, NY — Rico Chimi, a Spanish restaurant located at 80-01 Atlantic Avenue in Queens, received a Grade B following a health inspection conducted March 24, 2026. The restaurant recorded a score of 24, placing it near the upper boundary of the Grade B range and four points below the threshold at which a Grade C is issued.
The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 27, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented one critical violation during the visit. The citation, issued under Code 06C, identified food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. Specifically, inspectors noted that condiments were not stored in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor, creating a potential pathway for contamination from customer contact.
No non-critical violations were recorded during the inspection.
Food Safety Context
Critical violations in New York City restaurant inspections indicate conditions that pose a direct risk to food safety and public health. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and aligned with FDA Food Code standards, condiments accessible to customers must be protected from cross-contamination. When condiments are left in bulk containers that customers handle directly, repeated contact increases the risk of transferring pathogens between individuals.
A score of 24 reflects a meaningful accumulation of points within the Grade B range. While the restaurant retained its Grade B status, the result sits closer to the Grade C threshold than the Grade A boundary, indicating that inspectors found conditions warranting attention during this visit.
Inspection History
Rico Chimi has a documented inspection record that shows recurring scores in the Grade B range:
- 2026-02-02: Score 22
- 2024-09-27: Score 20
- 2023-04-04: Score 20 (Grade B)
- 2022-09-08: Score 38
The 2022 inspection produced a score of 38, which falls within the Grade C range. Since that visit, the restaurant has recorded scores in the Grade B range across three subsequent inspections. The current score of 24 represents a slight increase compared to the prior two inspections, which each recorded a score of 20.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system is based on the total number of points assigned during an inspection, with higher scores reflecting more or more serious violations:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Restaurants that do not receive an A grade on their initial inspection may request a re-inspection before a final grade is issued. Grades must be posted prominently at the entrance of the establishment.
Members of the public can review current and historical inspection records for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection database. Inspection results are public record and are updated regularly as new inspections are completed.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Rico Chimi including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.