EMPIRE TACO in Bushwick (East)
⚠️ This facility has been closed 2 times by the NYC Health Department
Latest: GRADE A
Last inspected Mar 12, 2026
📍 617 WILSON AVENUE, Brooklyn, NY 11207 ·
🍽️ Tex-Mex
Overview
Empire Taco in Bushwick has been subject to 2 emergency closures by NYC DOHMH since 2023, though the restaurant currently holds a Grade A with a score of 12 points. Across 6 inspections between 2023 and 2026, the restaurant has received Grade A on 3 occasions.
6
Inspections on Record
Grade A
Current Grade
2
Closures
3
Grade A Inspections
EMPIRE TACO in Bushwick (East): Emergency Closures (2)
EMPIRE TACO in Bushwick (East): Full Inspection History (6 records)
GRADE A
Mar 12, 2026
— Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
Score: 12
Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in si...
GRADE Z
Nov 7, 2025
— Cycle Inspection / Reopening Inspection
Score: 0
🚫 CLOSURE
Nov 5, 2025
— Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
Score: 52
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
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 undern...
🚫 CLOSURE
Nov 5, 2025
— Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
Score: 52
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.
Violations:
10F
GRADE A
Jun 10, 2024
— Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
Score: 12
Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies incl...
GRADE A
Jan 26, 2023
— Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
Score: 11
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
EMPIRE TACO in Bushwick (East): News Coverage (1)
ROUNDUP 62 NYC Restaurants Earn Grade A Scores on March 16, 2026 Published Mar 23, 2026Browse Related
EMPIRE TACO in Bushwick (East): Frequently Asked Questions
- When was EMPIRE TACO last inspected?
- EMPIRE TACO was last inspected on March 12, 2026 (Grade A). The inspection score was 12 points.
- What is EMPIRE TACO's current health grade?
- EMPIRE TACO currently holds a Grade A. This is the highest possible grade, indicating a score of 0–13 points.
- How many times has EMPIRE TACO been closed by NYC Health?
- EMPIRE TACO has been closed by NYC Health Department inspectors 2 times. Emergency closures occur when inspectors find conditions that pose an immediate public health hazard.
- How many health inspections has EMPIRE TACO had?
- EMPIRE TACO has 6 health inspections on record from January 2023 through March 2026. The restaurant received Grade A on 3 occasions.
- What was the worst inspection score at EMPIRE TACO?
- The worst inspection score recorded at EMPIRE TACO was 52 points on November 5, 2025. In NYC, a score of 14 or above means Grade B, and 28+ means Grade C.