TACO EXPRESS

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Overview

TACO EXPRESS in Bellerose underwent a NYC health inspection on December 20, 2023. The inspection found 4 violations, including 4 critical.

Address
251-14 HILLSIDE AVENUE
Queens, NY 11426
Cuisine
Tex-Mex
Inspection Type
Administrative Miscellaneous / Re-inspection
Violations
4 total
⚠ 4 critical
Facility History
8 inspections

Violations Cited

⚠ CRITICAL 19-10

NYC Health Code Violation 19-10

Failure to display required signage about plastic straw availability

⚠️ Why This Matters

HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 19-10 to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.

📋 Code Requirements

Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.

⚠ CRITICAL 20-06

NYC Health Code Violation 20-06

Current letter grade or Grade Pending card not posted

⚠️ Why This Matters

HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 20-06 to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.

📋 Code Requirements

Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.

⚠ CRITICAL 10F

Non-food Contact Surfaces Not Clean

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.

⚠️ Why This Matters

INDIRECT CONTAMINATION: Dirty non-food surfaces harbor pests and bacteria. Employees touch these surfaces then food. Accumulation attracts roaches and rodents. Creates reservoir of contamination that spreads throughout facility.

📋 Code Requirements

Clean all non-food surfaces regularly: Walls, ceilings, floors daily in food areas, Equipment exteriors, Storage shelves, Light fixtures monthly. Seal cracks. Repair damaged surfaces. Maintain cleaning schedule. Assign responsibilities.

CDC Risk Factor: Environmental Contamination
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.23
⚠ CRITICAL 10H

Sanitization not provided for utensil washing

Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.

⚠️ Why This Matters

Unsanitized utensils transfer bacteria directly to customers' food and mouths

📋 Code Requirements

Use approved sanitizer at correct concentration; test strips required; proper contact time

CDC Risk Factor: Contaminated Equipment/Protection from Contamination
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.21
Inspector's Action:

Violations were cited in the following area(s).

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TACO EXPRESS — Inspection Questions

Did TACO EXPRESS pass their NYC health inspection on December 20, 2023?
TACO EXPRESS underwent inspection on December 20, 2023. The inspection found 4 violation(s).
What critical violations did TACO EXPRESS have?
TACO EXPRESS had 4 critical violation(s) during their inspection. Critical violations directly contribute to foodborne illness and must be corrected immediately. These include issues with temperature control, hand washing, cross-contamination, and pest infestations.
What does violation code 19-10 mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 19-10 (NYC Health Code Violation 19-10) is a critical violation. Violation of NYC Health Code requirements HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 19-10 to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
What does violation code 20-06 mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 20-06 (NYC Health Code Violation 20-06) is a critical violation. Violation of NYC Health Code requirements HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 20-06 to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
What does violation code 10F mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 10F (Non-food Contact Surfaces Not Clean) is a minor violation. Non-food contact surfaces or equipment not kept clean, not properly sealed, or not properly maintained. INDIRECT CONTAMINATION: Dirty non-food surfaces harbor pests and bacteria. Employees touch these surfaces then food. Accumulation attracts roaches and rodents. Creates reservoir of contamination that spreads throughout facility.
What does violation code 10H mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 10H (Sanitization not provided for utensil washing) is a major violation. Utensils must be properly sanitized after washing to kill remaining bacteria Unsanitized utensils transfer bacteria directly to customers' food and mouths