Queens, NY — Tasty Cow 88 Szechuan Cuisine, located at 249-04 Horace Harding Expressway in Queens, received a score of 43 following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on April 2, 2026. The score places the restaurant in the Grade C category, which applies to establishments scoring 28 points or higher. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 6, 2026.

The inspection did not result in a closure, but the score represents the second consecutive year the restaurant has received a Grade C rating.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented two non-critical violations during the April 2 visit.

The first, cited under Code 08A, noted that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This violation addresses the physical environment of a food service establishment, including gaps, clutter, or structural conditions that could enable pest activity or provide shelter for pests.

The second violation, cited under Code 10F, identified non-food contact surfaces or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or positioned to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit. This type of violation relates to the maintenance and condition of equipment surfaces that, while not in direct contact with food, can contribute to sanitation concerns over time if left unaddressed.

Neither violation was classified as critical, meaning inspectors did not identify conditions posing an immediate risk of foodborne illness at the time of inspection.

Food Safety Context

New York City requires all food service establishments to undergo unannounced inspections conducted by DOHMH under the authority of NYC Health Code Article 81. Each violation carries a point value, and scores are converted into letter grades posted at the establishment's entrance.

The pest harborage violation cited here reflects requirements outlined in both the NYC Health Code and the FDA Food Code, which mandate that food establishments be maintained in a manner that prevents conditions favorable to pest activity. Pest presence in a food service environment can introduce pathogens and contaminants that pose risks to food safety, making structural and environmental controls a standard component of regulatory oversight.

Equipment and surface maintenance standards, addressed by the Code 10F violation, similarly reflect FDA Food Code provisions requiring that all surfaces in a food establishment be constructed of materials that are smooth, durable, and cleanable, and be maintained in a condition that supports effective sanitation.

Inspection History

The April 2026 inspection is part of a pattern of elevated scores at this location over the past year. The restaurant's recent inspection history is as follows:

  • July 18, 2025: Score 34 (Grade C)
  • June 2, 2025: Score 60
  • February 16, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • March 27, 2023: Score 23

The February 2024 inspection resulted in a Grade A, indicating the restaurant had previously met the threshold for the city's highest rating. Scores have increased notably since that point, with the June 2025 inspection recording a score of 60 before a partial improvement to 34 in July 2025. The April 2026 score of 43 remains well above the Grade A threshold.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system was established to give the public a clear, at-a-glance indicator of a restaurant's compliance with food safety regulations at the time of its most recent inspection. Grades are based on the following point ranges:

  • Grade A: 0 to 13 points
  • Grade B: 14 to 27 points
  • Grade C: 28 points or more

Restaurants that receive a grade of B or C may request a re-inspection before a grade is officially posted. Grade cards are required to be displayed in a location visible to the public at or near the entrance.

Consumers can look up inspection records for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH online database at nyc.gov, which includes violation details, scores, and grade history for all inspected establishments.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Tasty Cow 88 Szechuan Cuisine including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.