Queens, NY — The Golden Grillers, a Caribbean restaurant located at 145-103 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on July 27, 2026. The establishment received a score of 96 points, placing it in C-grade territory under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspectors documented two critical violations and one non-critical violation. Data reflecting these findings was released by DOHMH on July 29, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors cited two critical violations and one non-critical violation during the July 27 visit, findings serious enough to trigger an immediate closure order.
The first critical violation, Code 04L, recorded evidence of mice or live mice in food and non-food areas of the establishment. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, the presence of rodents in a food service operation represents a direct risk of contamination to food, food-contact surfaces, and equipment.
The second critical violation, Code 05D, cited the absence of an accessible handwashing facility in or adjacent to the toilet room and within 25 feet of food preparation, food service, and ware washing areas. Inspectors noted the facility was either not present, obstructed, or being used for purposes other than handwashing, and found issues with hot and cold running water availability, water pressure, soap, or an acceptable hand-drying device. Proper handwashing access is a foundational requirement under Article 81 of the NYC Health Code, designed to prevent the spread of pathogens from food handlers to consumers.
The non-critical violation, Code 10G, identified deficiencies in the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment used in dishwashing and ware washing operations. While classified as non-critical, this type of violation can contribute to cross-contamination if left unaddressed.
DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection, a standard condition of the closure process before a reinspection and potential reopening can occur.
Food Safety Context
New York City requires all restaurants to undergo unannounced inspections by DOHMH under the authority of NYC Health Code Article 81. Inspections evaluate establishments across a range of food safety criteria drawn from both local code and the FDA Food Code, a science-based reference document developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Critical violations are those most directly linked to conditions that can cause foodborne illness. The presence of rodents is considered a critical risk because mice can contaminate food and surfaces with pathogens including Salmonella and Listeria. Inadequate handwashing access is similarly classified as critical because hand-to-food transmission is one of the primary routes by which foodborne pathogens reach consumers.
A score of 96 points is significantly above the thresholds that trigger most corrective actions in the city's system. Under normal grading cycles, a score at this level would result in a C grade being posted, along with a required reinspection before the restaurant can resume full operation.
Inspection History
The closure on July 27, 2026, follows a recent pattern of declining scores at this location. The prior inspection history on record is as follows:
- June 10, 2026: Score 52 — no grade indicated, suggesting a reinspection cycle or administrative review was already underway
- October 26, 2024: Score 9, Grade A
- June 29, 2023: Score 10, Grade A
The June 2026 inspection, which produced a score of 52, indicated the establishment was already under scrutiny before the July closure visit. In prior years, the restaurant maintained strong inspection results, receiving Grade A scores in both 2023 and 2024 with scores well below the 14-point threshold for a B grade. The recent decline from those results represents a significant change in inspection outcomes over a short period.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City posts letter grades at restaurant entrances based on scores received during DOHMH inspections. The grading scale is as follows:
- A: Score of 0 to 13 points
- B: Score of 14 to 27 points
- C: Score of 28 points or higher
Points are assigned based on the number, type, and severity of violations found. Critical violations carry higher point values than non-critical ones. When a restaurant scores high enough to warrant a grade below A, it is typically given the option of a reinspection before a grade is officially posted. If the score remains elevated at reinspection, the corresponding grade letter is posted publicly.
Restaurants that receive closure orders must address all conditions cited as requiring immediate corrective action before they can be reinspected and cleared to reopen.
Inspection records for The Golden Grillers and all New York City restaurants are available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection results database, accessible at the NYC Open Data portal. Consumers can search inspection history by restaurant name, address, or zip code to review the full record of any establishment.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for The Golden Grillers including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.