Queens, NY — The King Of Taco, a Mexican restaurant at 90-17 31st Avenue in East Elmhurst, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on March 2, 2026. Inspectors documented one critical violation related to food contamination protection, resulting in a score of 22 points.
While the score of 22 falls within the Grade B range (14–27 points), the establishment was closed due to the nature of the critical violation identified, which required immediate corrective action. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 4, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the March 2 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited one critical violation under code 06C. The violation documented that food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. Inspectors also noted that condiments were not provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.
This type of violation addresses the fundamental requirement that food must be shielded from environmental contaminants, cross-contamination from other food items, and contact with unsanitary surfaces or conditions throughout all stages of handling. When condiments are left exposed or served in open, reusable containers without proper dispensing controls, they become vulnerable to contamination from multiple sources including customer contact, airborne particles, and improper temperature exposure.
No non-critical violations were cited during this inspection. The establishment was closed by DOHMH, and the violations requiring immediate action were addressed as a condition of the closure order.
Food Safety Context
Food contamination prevention is a cornerstone of food safety regulation at both the local and federal levels. NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes requirements for food service establishments operating within the five boroughs, including specific provisions for how food and food contact surfaces must be protected throughout the preparation and service process.
The FDA Food Code, which serves as the model framework for local food safety regulations nationwide, outlines detailed requirements for protecting food from contamination. Section 3-302 of the FDA Food Code addresses food protection during storage, preparation, and service, requiring that food be protected from cross-contamination by separating raw and ready-to-eat items, using proper storage methods, and ensuring that condiments and self-service items are dispensed in a sanitary manner.
Critical violations are those that directly contribute to foodborne illness risk. Under the NYC restaurant inspection system, these violations carry higher point values and can result in immediate enforcement action, including establishment closure, when inspectors determine that public health is at immediate risk.
Inspection History
The March 2 closure is the latest in a pattern of inspection challenges for The King Of Taco. The restaurant's recent inspection history shows repeated high scores and enforcement actions:
- February 26, 2026: Score of 61 points, establishment closed by DOHMH
- December 14, 2025: Score of 55 points, Grade Z issued
- October 6, 2025: Score of 56 points, Grade N issued
The March 2 score of 22 represents a significant numerical improvement over the restaurant's previous three inspections, all of which recorded scores above 50 points. However, the presence of a critical violation requiring immediate action still resulted in closure.
A Grade Z designation indicates that a restaurant's grade is pending, typically issued when an establishment has received a score that would result in a Grade C (28 or more points) and the operator has requested an adjudicatory hearing to contest the results. A Grade N indicates that the establishment has not yet been graded, often assigned during an initial inspection cycle.
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 documented 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. Critical violations, such as the food contamination issue cited at The King Of Taco, carry higher point values than general (non-critical) violations due to their direct connection to foodborne illness risk.
Restaurants that are closed by DOHMH must correct all cited violations and pass a re-inspection before being permitted to reopen to the public. Closure orders are issued when inspectors identify conditions that pose an immediate risk to public health.
Residents can access the full inspection history for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. All inspection results, including violation details and enforcement actions, are public record and are updated as new data becomes available.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for The King Of Taco including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.