Queens, NY — Sabor Restaurant & Bakery, a Latin American restaurant at 15-20 College Point Boulevard in the College Point neighborhood of Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a health inspection conducted on February 18, 2026. The establishment received a score of 52 points, placing it well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C rating — the lowest letter grade issued by the city.
Sabor Restaurant & Bakery restaurant inspection" width="400" height="225" loading="eager" decoding="async" class="article-featured-image">The closure was ordered after inspectors identified critical violations requiring immediate action, including evidence of mouse activity on the premises. The inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on February 20, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 18 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented two violations at Sabor Restaurant & Bakery:
The most serious finding was a critical violation under Code 04L: evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas. Mouse activity in a food service establishment presents a direct risk to food safety, as rodents can contaminate food, food preparation surfaces, and storage areas with pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli.
Inspectors also cited a non-critical violation under Code 08A, noting that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This violation indicates that structural or sanitary conditions existed that could attract or shelter pests — such as gaps in walls or flooring, improper waste storage, or accumulation of debris in areas that provide nesting opportunities.
Together, these two violations resulted in a combined score of 52 points, which led to the establishment being closed by DOHMH. According to the agency's action report, violations were cited and those requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments operating within the five boroughs. Under this code, all restaurants are required to maintain their premises in a condition that prevents pest activity and ensures food is stored, prepared, and served in a sanitary environment.
The presence of mice in a food establishment is classified as a critical violation because of the well-documented public health risks associated with rodent contamination. The FDA Food Code, which serves as the model for many local food safety regulations, identifies rodent activity as a condition that can lead to foodborne illness through direct contamination of food products and food-contact surfaces.
When DOHMH inspectors determine that conditions at an establishment pose an immediate risk to public health, they have the authority to order the establishment closed until the violations are corrected. To reopen, a restaurant must typically demonstrate to inspectors that the conditions leading to the closure have been remediated and that the establishment can operate in compliance with applicable health codes.
Inspection History
A review of Sabor Restaurant & Bakery's publicly available inspection history shows a pattern of fluctuating scores over the past several years:
- February 18, 2026: Score 52, closed by DOHMH
- March 18, 2025: Score 13 (Grade A)
- February 25, 2025: Score 29
- October 4, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
- June 26, 2024: Score 32
- January 23, 2023: Score 13 (Grade A)
- July 18, 2022: Score 33
The record indicates that the restaurant has alternated between strong inspection results — earning Grade A scores of 12 and 13 points on multiple occasions — and significantly higher scores in the low 30s during intervening inspections. The February 2026 score of 52 represents the highest recorded score in the establishment's available inspection history and the first documented closure.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. A score of 52 points falls well into Grade C territory and, combined with the nature of the violations identified, resulted in the closure action taken by inspectors.
Restaurants that are closed by DOHMH must correct all cited violations before they are permitted to reopen. The establishment will be subject to a re-inspection to verify compliance.
Consumers can look up the latest inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is updated regularly as new inspection data becomes available. The inspection history for Sabor Restaurant & Bakery and all other NYC food service establishments is part of the public record and accessible online.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Sabor Restaurant & Bakery including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.