Brooklyn, NY — Rinconcito Domex, a Mexican restaurant at 505 DeKalb Avenue in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on March 4, 2026. The restaurant received a score of 86, well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C rating. Inspectors documented two critical violations and one non-critical violation during the visit, prompting the immediate closure of the establishment.

The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 6, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The March 4 inspection identified three violations at Rinconcito Domex, two of which were classified as critical under NYC Health Code standards.

The most serious finding involved the presence of live roaches in the facility's food and non-food areas, cited under violation code 04M. The presence of live pests in a food service establishment is considered a critical public health concern, as cockroaches can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli and contaminate food, utensils, and preparation surfaces.

Inspectors also cited the restaurant under violation code 05D for the absence of an accessible hand washing facility. Specifically, the inspection noted that no hand washing station was available in or adjacent to the toilet room or within 25 feet of food preparation, food service, or ware washing areas. The citation further noted issues that may have included hand washing facilities that were not accessible, were obstructed, were used for non-hand washing purposes, lacked hot and cold running water or adequate water pressure, or lacked soap or an acceptable hand-drying device. Proper hand hygiene is one of the most fundamental safeguards against foodborne illness transmission in restaurant settings.

The third violation was non-critical, cited under code 10G for deficiencies in dishwashing and ware washing procedures. This included issues with the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, dishes, utensils, and equipment.

Based on the combination of these findings, DOHMH closed the establishment and noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City, setting standards for sanitation, food handling, pest control, and facility maintenance. The FDA Food Code, which serves as a model for local health regulations nationwide, similarly emphasizes the critical importance of hand washing access and pest management in food service operations.

Hand washing violations are treated with particular seriousness because inadequate hand hygiene is one of the leading contributing factors to foodborne illness outbreaks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The FDA Food Code requires hand washing sinks to be conveniently located, always accessible, and properly supplied with soap and drying materials.

Pest violations, particularly the presence of live roaches, indicate potential breakdowns in sanitation and facility maintenance. NYC health regulations require food service establishments to maintain pest-free environments and implement ongoing pest management programs.

When DOHMH closes an establishment, the restaurant must correct all cited violations and pass a re-inspection before being permitted to reopen to the public.

Inspection History

The March 2026 closure represents a significant departure from Rinconcito Domex's recent inspection record. Prior inspections showed the restaurant operating within acceptable parameters:

  • March 4, 2026: Score 86 (Grade C range), closed by DOHMH — 2 critical, 1 non-critical violation
  • December 6, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A) — within the 0-13 point range for the highest grade
  • September 19, 2024: Score 13 — also within Grade A range at the time of that inspection cycle

The restaurant had maintained scores consistent with Grade A performance in both of its 2024 inspections, making the jump to a score of 86 and subsequent closure a notable change in its compliance record.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on their inspection scores. Lower scores indicate fewer violations and better compliance with health regulations:

  • Grade A: 0 to 13 points — indicates strong compliance with health codes
  • Grade B: 14 to 27 points — indicates moderate violations requiring attention
  • Grade C: 28 or more points — indicates significant violations found during inspection

Rinconcito Domex's score of 86 placed it well into the Grade C range. Restaurants that receive a Grade C or are closed by DOHMH typically undergo re-inspection to verify that violations have been corrected before resuming normal operations.

Residents and diners can look up the inspection history of any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH public database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal. The database is updated regularly as new inspection results are processed and released.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Rinconcito Domex including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.