Bronx, NY — Tacos El Torito Versatile, a Tex-Mex restaurant at 608A Melrose Avenue in the Bronx, received a Grade C following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted April 2, 2026. The restaurant was assigned a score of 57, placing it well within the Grade C range. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 7, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one critical violation during the April inspection. The violation, classified under Code 04H, found that raw, cooked, or prepared food was adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with the restaurant's HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) plan.

No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection cycle.

Code 04H violations are considered among the more serious findings in NYC health inspections because they directly involve the safety and integrity of food being served to customers. A HACCP plan is a required food safety management system that identifies and controls biological, chemical, and physical hazards in the food preparation process. Failure to adhere to that plan — or to discard food that does not meet safety standards — is a core compliance concern for health inspectors.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain food in a safe condition, free from contamination or adulteration at all stages of storage, preparation, and service. The FDA Food Code, which informs New York City's local standards, similarly requires that food be protected from cross-contamination through proper separation of raw and ready-to-eat items, appropriate temperature controls, and documented corrective actions when deviations occur.

A HACCP plan violation indicates that inspectors identified a gap between the establishment's documented food safety procedures and observed practices at the time of the visit. Restaurants receiving critical violations are expected to correct identified issues either immediately or within a prescribed timeframe.

The restaurant was not closed as a result of this inspection. The action recorded by DOHMH indicates that violations were cited but that the establishment was permitted to continue operating.

Inspection History

Tacos El Torito Versatile has a mixed inspection record over the past several years. The most recent prior inspection, conducted May 18, 2026, resulted in a score of 48 (Grade Z, indicating a pending or contested grade). Prior to that cycle, the restaurant's record included both strong and declining results:

  • October 16, 2024: Score 5 (Grade A)
  • March 16, 2023: Score 26 (Grade B)
  • February 24, 2023: Score 18
  • August 16, 2022: Score 6
  • August 11, 2022: Score 0 (Grade A)
  • July 18, 2022: Score 82

The October 2024 Grade A inspection — with a score of just 5 — reflects a period of strong compliance performance. The subsequent rise to scores in the 40s and 50s represents a significant shift in inspection outcomes over roughly 18 months.

The July 2022 score of 82 is notably high and suggests the restaurant has previously navigated periods of significant violations before returning to compliance. That pattern offers context for the current inspection cycle.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system is based on the total point value assigned during an unannounced inspection. Each violation carries a set point value depending on its classification and severity. The grade posted in the restaurant window reflects the most recent completed inspection cycle.

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • Grade C: Score of 28 points or higher

A "Grade Z" designation is used when a restaurant has received a score that would result in a B or C grade but has requested an administrative hearing to contest the findings. During the pending period, a Grade Z or "Grade Pending" card may be posted.

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are typically re-inspected within 30 to 45 days. The grade posted must reflect whichever score results from that follow-up cycle.

Inspection records for all New York City restaurants are available through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database at nyc.gov. Residents can search by restaurant name, address, or borough to review full inspection histories.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Tacos El Torito Versatile including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.