Manhattan, NY — Tres Colores Mex Deli Corp, a Mexican restaurant located at 2017 Amsterdam Avenue in the Washington Heights neighborhood, received a score of 30 during a health inspection conducted on February 2, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory under New York City's restaurant grading system.
The inspection was carried out by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), with results made available in public data released on February 27, 2026. The restaurant was cited for violations, though no closure action was taken at the time of the inspection.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 2, 2026 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one non-critical violation related to pesticide handling and storage practices at the establishment.
Specifically, the restaurant was cited under violation code 08C for improper pesticide labeling, use, or storage. The citation notes that a pesticide or other toxic chemical was improperly used or stored at the premises. The violation also references the use of an unprotected or unlocked bait station, and the potential use of pesticides by an unlicensed individual.
While this was categorized as a non-critical violation, improper pesticide management in a food service environment presents potential risks to food safety and worker health. Pesticides and toxic chemicals that are not properly stored or labeled can pose contamination risks if they come into contact with food, food preparation surfaces, or food storage areas.
It is worth noting that although only one violation was recorded, the point value assigned resulted in a total score of 30, which exceeds the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation.
Food Safety Context
New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes sanitation and food safety requirements for all food service establishments in the five boroughs. The regulations align with principles outlined in the FDA Food Code, which serves as a model for food safety standards nationwide.
Under these regulations, all pesticides used in food service establishments must be properly labeled, stored away from food and food contact surfaces, and applied only by licensed pest control professionals. Bait stations must be tamper-resistant and properly secured to prevent accidental exposure. These requirements exist to minimize the risk of chemical contamination in environments where food is prepared and served to the public.
The DOHMH conducts unannounced inspections of approximately 27,000 restaurants across New York City each year. Inspectors evaluate establishments across a range of categories including food handling, temperature control, personal hygiene, facility maintenance, and pest management. Each violation is assigned a point value, and the total score determines the restaurant's letter grade.
Inspection History
No prior inspection history is available in the DOHMH public database for Tres Colores Mex Deli Corp. This may indicate that the February 2, 2026 inspection was the establishment's initial inspection cycle, or that previous records are not reflected in the current dataset.
Without historical inspection data, it is not possible to identify trends or patterns in the restaurant's compliance record. Future inspections will provide additional context about the establishment's ongoing adherence to food safety regulations.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection. The grading scale is as follows:
- Grade A: 0 to 13 points — indicates minimal violations
- Grade B: 14 to 27 points — indicates moderate violations
- Grade C: 28 or more points — indicates more significant violations
With a score of 30, Tres Colores Mex Deli Corp falls into the Grade C range. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are offered a re-inspection, typically within 30 days, during which they have the opportunity to address cited violations and potentially improve their score.
Restaurants are required to post their current letter grade in a conspicuous location near the entrance, allowing customers to make informed decisions before dining.
Consumers can look up inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH's publicly accessible online database or through independent platforms such as NYCRestaurantInspections.com that present the same public record data in an accessible format.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Tres Colores Mex Deli Corp including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.