Queens, NY — The Well Coffee, located at 43-29 162 Street in Flushing, received a Grade C following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 24, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 46 points, placing the coffee and tea shop in the Grade C category. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 26, 2026.
The establishment had maintained a consistent Grade A record across its three previous inspections. The March visit marks a notable change from that track record.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented one violation during the March 24 visit. No critical violations were cited.
The single non-critical violation was recorded under Code 10F:
- Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or made movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit.
This type of violation relates to surfaces and equipment that do not come into direct contact with food — such as the exteriors of equipment, shelving, and fixtures — but that must nonetheless be maintained in a clean and accessible condition to prevent the accumulation of debris, grease, or potential pest harborage.
A score of 46 points from a single non-critical violation is atypical. DOHMH inspections use a point-based system in which each violation is assigned a weighted score based on its nature and severity. In some cases, a single violation may carry a higher point value based on the specific circumstances documented by the inspector. The scoring reflects what was observed and recorded at the time of inspection.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food service establishments operating within the five boroughs and sets standards for equipment maintenance, sanitation, and facility cleanliness. Under Article 81, non-food contact surfaces must be constructed of materials that are smooth, non-absorbent, and easily cleanable, and must be maintained in a condition that allows for thorough cleaning.
The FDA Food Code similarly identifies equipment maintenance as a supporting element of an overall food safety system. While non-food contact surfaces do not present the same direct contamination risk as food-contact surfaces, inadequate maintenance can contribute to conditions that attract pests or allow bacterial growth in adjacent areas.
DOHMH inspectors are trained to evaluate the full facility environment, not only direct food handling practices, as part of a comprehensive assessment.
Inspection History
The Well Coffee's prior inspection record reflects consistent performance:
- December 3, 2024: Score 7, Grade A
- October 1, 2024: Score 23 (no grade issued — initial cycle inspection)
- June 15, 2023: Score 10, Grade A
- May 2, 2022: Score 12, Grade A
The three graded inspections on record all resulted in Grade A scores, indicating the establishment had met the threshold for the city's top rating in each of those cycles. The current score of 46 is a departure from that pattern.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's letter grading system is based on the total point score recorded during an inspection. The grades are defined as follows:
- A — Score of 0 to 13 points
- B — Score of 14 to 27 points
- C — Score of 28 points or more
Restaurants that receive a B or C score on an initial inspection are typically offered a re-inspection opportunity before a final grade is assigned and posted. The posted grade reflects the score at the time of the most recently completed inspection cycle.
Current and historical inspection records for any New York City restaurant are publicly available through the DOHMH online search tool at nyc.gov/health. Consumers can search by restaurant name, address, or cuisine type to review full inspection histories, violation codes, and grade records.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for The Well Coffee including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.