Queens, NY — Tropical Restaurant/Go Natural at 88-18/20 Jamaica Avenue received a Grade C rating after a health inspection conducted on March 9, 2026, according to data released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on March 11. The Latin American restaurant received a score of 43 points, placing it in the Grade C category.

Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the routine inspection. The establishment was issued citations but remained open for business.

What Inspectors Found

The critical violation identified during the inspection involved temperature control of potentially hazardous foods. Inspectors documented that cold foods requiring temperature control for safety were held above the required 41°F threshold. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, certain food items classified as Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods must be maintained at specific temperatures to prevent bacterial growth that can cause foodborne illness.

TCS foods include items such as meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, cooked vegetables, and cut fruits. When these foods are held in the temperature "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, harmful bacteria can multiply rapidly. The FDA Food Code establishes these temperature requirements based on scientific research demonstrating that pathogenic bacteria grow most rapidly within this range.

Inspectors also cited a non-critical violation related to dishwashing and ware washing procedures. The inspection report indicated deficiencies in the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, dishes, utensils, and equipment. Proper sanitization of food contact surfaces is required under NYC Health Code to prevent cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods.

Food Safety Context

Temperature control violations are among the most common citations in restaurant inspections and are classified as critical because they pose a direct risk to public health. The NYC Health Code requires food establishments to maintain cold foods at 41°F or below and hot foods at 135°F or above, with limited exceptions during active preparation.

Restaurants must monitor food temperatures regularly and take corrective action immediately when items fall outside safe ranges. This includes using calibrated thermometers, maintaining properly functioning refrigeration equipment, and training staff on temperature monitoring procedures.

The dishwashing violation relates to the three-compartment sink method or mechanical dishwasher requirements established by the Health Code. All food contact surfaces must be washed, rinsed, and sanitized using approved chemical concentrations or water temperatures to eliminate harmful microorganisms.

Inspection History

Tropical Restaurant/Go Natural has received multiple inspections over the past several years with varying results:

  • September 25, 2024: Score 17 (Grade B)
  • May 20, 2024: Score 41
  • November 9, 2022: Score 13 (Grade A)

The current inspection represents a decline from the establishment's most recent graded inspection in September 2024, when it received a Grade B with 17 points. The restaurant previously held a Grade A rating in November 2022 with 13 points.

The May 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 41 points, similar to the current inspection score, though grading information for that inspection was not included in the publicly available data.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on points accumulated during health inspections. Points are assessed for each violation, with higher point values assigned to critical violations that pose greater public health risks.

The grading scale operates as follows:

  • Grade A: 0-13 points
  • Grade B: 14-27 points
  • Grade C: 28 points or more

Restaurants scoring 14 points or higher may request a re-inspection, typically conducted within 30 days, to attempt to achieve a better grade. Establishments are required to post their current grade card in a location visible to the public, typically in the front window.

The NYC Department of Health conducts unannounced inspections of food service establishments at least once per year, with additional inspections triggered by complaints, previous violations, or random selection. Inspection results are posted to the city's public database within several days of the inspection.

Consumers can access complete inspection histories, violation details, and current grades for all NYC restaurants through the Department of Health's online restaurant inspection database at nyc.gov or through mobile applications that provide real-time access to inspection data.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Tropical Restaurant/Go Natural including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.