EL DESPERTAR MARLENE in Melrose
Latest: GRADE Z
Last inspected Feb 3, 2026
📍 849 PROSPECT AVENUE, Bronx, NY 10459 ·
🍽️ Latin American
Overview
El Despertar Marlene in Melrose holds a Grade Z from NYC DOHMH, with a score of 52 points on its most recent inspection. Across 8 inspections since 2022, the restaurant previously received Grade A on 2 occasions, with no emergency closures on record.
8
Inspections on Record
Grade Z
Current Grade
2
Grade A Inspections
EL DESPERTAR MARLENE in Melrose: Full Inspection History (8 records)
GRADE Z
Feb 3, 2026
— Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
Score: 52
Live animal other than fish in tank or service animal present in facility’s food or non-food area.
Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information
Feb 3, 2026
— Administrative Miscellaneous / Re-inspection
Food allergy information poster not conspicuously posted where food is being prepared or processed by food workers.
Violations:
20-01
Jan 13, 2026
— Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
Score: 24
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
Violations:
04L
GRADE A
Dec 6, 2024
— Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
Score: 12
Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.
Jan 11, 2024
— Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection
Providing single-use, non-compostable plastic straws to customers without customer request (including providing such straws at a self-serve station)
Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
Thawing procedure improp...
Jan 11, 2024
— Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
Score: 50
Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
Violations:
06F
GRADE A
Sep 22, 2022
— Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
Score: 13
Non-food contact surface or equipment 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.
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and fo...
Jan 18, 2022
— Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
Score: 34
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
Appropriately scaled metal stem-type thermometer or thermocouple not provided or used to evaluate temperatures of potentially hazardous foods during cooking, cooling, reheating and holding.
Hot food item not held at or a...
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EL DESPERTAR MARLENE in Melrose: Frequently Asked Questions
- When was EL DESPERTAR MARLENE last inspected?
- EL DESPERTAR MARLENE was last inspected on February 3, 2026 (Grade Z). The inspection score was 52 points.
- What is EL DESPERTAR MARLENE's current health grade?
- EL DESPERTAR MARLENE currently holds a Grade Z.
- How many health inspections has EL DESPERTAR MARLENE had?
- EL DESPERTAR MARLENE has 8 health inspections on record from January 2022 through February 2026. The restaurant received Grade A on 2 occasions.
- What was the worst inspection score at EL DESPERTAR MARLENE?
- The worst inspection score recorded at EL DESPERTAR MARLENE was 52 points on February 3, 2026. In NYC, a score of 14 or above means Grade B, and 28+ means Grade C.
- Has EL DESPERTAR MARLENE ever received a Grade C?
- No. EL DESPERTAR MARLENE has not received a Grade C in the inspections on record.