Queens, NY — Tj Asian Bistro, a Japanese restaurant located at 50-19 Skillman Avenue in Woodside, Queens, received a score of 29 during a health inspection conducted on February 25, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory. Inspectors documented two critical violations, including evidence of mice in the establishment.
The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 27, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The most serious finding during the inspection was evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas, cited under violation code 04L. The presence of rodent activity in a food service establishment poses a direct risk to food safety, as mice can contaminate food, preparation surfaces, and storage areas with pathogens.
Inspectors also cited the restaurant for a second critical violation under code 06D: food contact surfaces were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred. Surfaces that come into direct contact with food must be cleaned and sanitized between uses to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of foodborne illness.
A non-critical violation was also documented under code 10F, noting that non-food contact surfaces or equipment were made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit.
The action recorded for this inspection noted that violations were cited in the listed areas.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the sanitary standards that all food service establishments in New York City must meet. These standards cover pest control, surface sanitation, food handling, and equipment maintenance, among other areas. The regulations are designed to protect public health and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Evidence of rodent activity is classified as a critical violation because mice are known carriers of Salmonella, E. coli, and other harmful bacteria. According to the FDA Food Code, food establishments must implement integrated pest management practices and maintain facilities in a condition that prevents the entry and harborage of pests.
Proper washing, rinsing, and sanitizing of food contact surfaces is a foundational food safety requirement under both local and federal guidelines. The FDA Food Code specifies that food contact surfaces must be cleaned after each use, between handling different types of raw food, and any time contamination may have occurred. Failure to follow these protocols increases the risk of bacterial cross-contamination.
Inspection History
Tj Asian Bistro's previous inspection record shows notably better results:
- April 26, 2024: Score 7 (Grade A)
- February 9, 2023: Score 21
The restaurant had earned a Grade A score of just 7 points during its most recent prior inspection in April 2024, indicating strong compliance with health code standards at that time. The February 2026 score of 29 represents a significant departure from that record and the restaurant's first Grade C result in the available inspection history.
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 accumulated during an inspection. Each violation carries a specific point value, and lower scores indicate better compliance:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
A Grade C score indicates that an establishment has accumulated a substantial number of violation points, often involving one or more critical violations. Restaurants that receive a Grade C may request a re-inspection or adjudication hearing through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection search portal. Inspection results, including individual violations and scores, are public record and updated regularly as new data becomes available.
For more information about NYC restaurant grades and food safety standards, visit the DOHMH website or consult the NYC Health Code Article 81 directly.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Tj Asian Bistro including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.