Queens, NY — Variety Bakery, located at 80-28 Northern Boulevard in Jackson Heights, received a Grade C following a health inspection conducted March 25, 2026. Inspectors assigned a score of 31, placing the establishment in the Grade C range. The data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 27, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The inspection identified one critical violation under Code 02G: cold temperature control for safety (TCS) food items held above the required temperature thresholds. Under this violation category, inspectors document food held above 41°F, smoked or processed fish held above 38°F, intact raw eggs held above 45°F, or reduced oxygen packaged TCS foods held above required temperatures outside of active necessary preparation.

No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.

Temperature control violations are among the most frequently cited findings in food service inspections citywide. Maintaining proper cold-holding temperatures is a foundational food safety requirement, as bacterial growth accelerates when perishable foods are held in the temperature danger zone — generally defined as between 41°F and 135°F.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food safety practices for all food service establishments in the five boroughs. Article 81 sets standards for food handling, storage, temperature control, and sanitation. The FDA Food Code, which informs many of these local standards, establishes 41°F as the maximum safe cold-holding temperature for most TCS foods because this threshold inhibits the growth of pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli.

Cold TCS foods include dairy products, cooked proteins, cut fruits and vegetables, and certain bakery items containing cream, custard, or other perishable fillings — all common to bakery operations. When these foods are held above required temperatures, even for short periods, the risk of pathogen multiplication increases.

Establishments found in violation of cold-holding requirements during a DOHMH inspection are expected to correct the condition immediately and maintain compliance during any follow-up inspection.

Inspection History

Variety Bakery has a mixed recent record, with the March 2026 inspection representing its lowest score in several years:

  • March 25, 2026: Score 31 (Grade C) — 1 critical violation cited
  • May 5, 2026: Score 26 (Grade Z)
  • March 7, 2025: Score 10 (Grade A)
  • September 1, 2023: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • November 15, 2022: Score 4 (Grade A)
  • April 22, 2022: Score 0

Note: The May 5, 2026 entry with a Grade Z designation reflects a re-inspection or administrative scoring period and appears in the DOHMH system after the March 25 inspection date. Grade Z is typically assigned when an establishment is undergoing the grading process and a letter grade has not yet been finalized.

Prior to the most recent cycle, Variety Bakery maintained a consistent Grade A record dating back to at least 2022, including a perfect score of 0 in April of that year.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant letter grading system, administered by DOHMH, translates inspection scores into posted grades displayed at each establishment's entrance. The grading scale is as follows:

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points (fewest violations)
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • Grade C: Score of 28 or more points (most violations)

Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. A Grade C does not result in automatic closure; establishments may continue operating while working toward compliance. DOHMH may order an immediate closure only when conditions pose an imminent public health hazard.

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are typically re-inspected within a set timeframe. At that re-inspection, they may post the grade received or opt to have an adjudication hearing before a grade is finalized and publicly posted.

Inspection records for all New York City food service establishments are available through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database at nyc.gov. Consumers can search by restaurant name, address, or cuisine type to review current and historical inspection data.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Variety Bakery including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.