Bronx, NY — San Marcos Cafe, a Latin American restaurant at 949 A&B Westchester Ave in the Bronx, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a health inspection conducted on March 20, 2026. The establishment received a score of 74, placing it well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation — the lowest letter grade issued under the city's restaurant grading system.
The closure was ordered after inspectors identified a critical violation related to food contamination protection. Violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection, according to DOHMH records. The inspection data was released publicly on March 23, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The inspection resulted in one critical violation cited under code 06C. Inspectors documented that food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. The violation also noted that condiments were not provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor, and that issues were found related to customer refillable or reusable containers.
Under the NYC Health Code, critical violations are those that present a direct risk to public health and are most likely to contribute to foodborne illness. A code 06C violation addresses fundamental food safety protections — specifically, the barriers that must exist between food products and environmental or cross-contamination sources throughout the food handling process.
Despite only one violation being cited, the establishment received a score of 74 points. Under the DOHMH inspection scoring system, each violation carries a point value based on its severity and the specific conditions observed. A single critical violation can result in a high point assessment when the conditions documented are extensive or represent a significant departure from food safety standards.
Food Safety Context
New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes the sanitary requirements for all food service establishments in the five boroughs. The inspection process evaluates restaurants across multiple categories including food temperature control, personal hygiene, facility maintenance, and protection of food from contamination.
The requirement to protect food from contamination sources during all stages of handling aligns with principles established in the FDA Food Code, which serves as a model for local health jurisdictions nationwide. The FDA Food Code specifies that food must be protected from cross-contamination by separating raw animal foods from ready-to-eat foods, protecting food during storage and display, and ensuring that customer self-service operations maintain adequate contamination barriers.
Condiment handling is a specific area of regulatory focus. Single-service containers or direct vendor dispensing of condiments reduces the risk of contamination that can occur when shared containers are handled by multiple customers or left exposed in food service areas.
When DOHMH determines that conditions at an establishment pose an immediate risk to public health, inspectors have the authority to order a closure. The establishment may reopen after a reinspection confirms that the cited conditions have been corrected and the restaurant meets the minimum requirements for safe food service operation.
Inspection History
San Marcos Cafe's DOHMH inspection record shows a pattern of scores that have fluctuated over the past several years:
- November 14, 2024: Score 20 (Grade B)
- April 5, 2024: Score 25
- June 30, 2023: Score not recorded
- April 24, 2023: Score 24 (Grade B)
- August 25, 2022: Score 24
The restaurant had previously maintained scores in the 20-25 range, which placed it in Grade B territory on inspections where grades were assigned. The score of 74 recorded on March 20, 2026 represents a significant departure from the establishment's prior inspection performance, marking the first recorded closure in the available inspection history.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores, with lower scores indicating fewer and less severe violations:
- A: 0 to 13 points — establishment meets high standards for food safety
- B: 14 to 27 points — some violations identified requiring attention
- C: 28 or more points — significant violations documented
Restaurants that receive a score of 28 or above on an initial inspection are eligible for a reinspection, during which they have the opportunity to correct violations and potentially achieve a lower score. Grade cards must be posted at the entrance of the establishment so that customers can make informed dining decisions.
All New York City restaurant inspection results are public record and are available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can search any restaurant by name, address, or borough to review current grades, inspection scores, and specific violations cited. Additional information about food safety standards and the city's restaurant grading program is available through the NYC Department of Health at nyc.gov/health.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for San Marcos Cafe including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.