TACO EXPRESS MEXICAN GRILL
🚫 CLOSED BY HEALTH DEPARTMENTMonday, December 2, 2024
TACO EXPRESS MEXICAN GRILL was ordered closed by the NYC Health Department on December 2, 2024 following a health inspection. The inspection found 7 violations, including 7 critical.
Violations Cited
04N
Filth Flies Present in Food Areas
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 include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.
RAPID CONTAMINATION: Flies carry 100+ pathogens on feet and bodies. One fly transfers 2 million bacteria per landing. Feed by vomiting on food. Can contaminate entire prep area in minutes. Major vector for E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella transmission.
Eliminate breeding sites: Clean drains daily, Remove standing water, Empty garbage frequently, Install air curtains/screens, Use fly lights away from food, Clean up spills immediately, Locate and eliminate larval breeding sites (drains, garbage, produce).
04A
Food Protection Certificate Not Held by Supervisor
Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
KNOWLEDGE GAP: Establishments without certified managers have 2.5x more critical violations. Lack of food safety knowledge directly correlates with foodborne illness outbreaks. Certified managers reduce outbreak risk by 60% through proper training and oversight.
Obtain Food Protection Certificate immediately through NYC-approved course. Certificate holder must be present ALL operating hours. Post certificate conspicuously. Maintain valid certification (renew every 5 years). Train all staff on food safety basics.
10G
Dishwashing facilities inadequate
Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
Inadequate dishwashing spreads bacteria across all utensils and tableware
Three-compartment sink or approved dishwasher; proper wash, rinse, sanitize procedures
08A
Facility Not Free from Harborage Conditions
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
PEST ATTRACTION: Harborage conditions support pest infestations. Gaps allow entry of rodents carrying 35+ diseases. Standing water breeds flies that spread 100+ pathogens. Clutter provides nesting for pests. Creates ongoing contamination risk.
Eliminate ALL harborage conditions: Seal cracks/holes (1/4 inch for mice, 1/2 inch for rats), Fix leaking pipes, Remove clutter/unused equipment, Eliminate standing water, Clean grease accumulation, Maintain 6 inches clearance from walls, Remove cardboard storage.
06C
Food not protected from contamination
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 single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.
Unprotected food exposed to bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and physical contaminants
Cover all food; store 6 inches off floor; protect from customer contamination; use sneeze guards
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.
Unsanitized utensils transfer bacteria directly to customers' food and mouths
Use approved sanitizer at correct concentration; test strips required; proper contact time
02B
Hot TCS Food Not Held at 140°F or Above
Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
BACTERIAL MULTIPLICATION: At 120°F, Clostridium perfringens doubles every 10 minutes. Can reach illness-causing levels within 1 hour. This bacteria causes 1 million US cases annually with severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea lasting 24 hours. Hot holding violations responsible for 40% of restaurant outbreaks.
Maintain ALL hot foods at 140°F minimum. Check temperatures every 30 minutes for problem foods, every 2 hours otherwise. Use calibrated thermometers. Adjust equipment immediately if below 140°F. Reheat to 165°F if below temp for under 2 hours. DISCARD if below 140°F for over 2 hours.
Establishment Closed by DOHMH. Violations were cited in the following area(s) and those requiring im
TACO EXPRESS MEXICAN GRILL — Inspection Questions
- Did TACO EXPRESS MEXICAN GRILL pass their NYC health inspection on December 2, 2024?
- TACO EXPRESS MEXICAN GRILL was closed by the health department on December 2, 2024 with a score of 65 points. The facility was ordered closed due to serious health violations.
- What critical violations did TACO EXPRESS MEXICAN GRILL have?
- TACO EXPRESS MEXICAN GRILL had 7 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 04N mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 04N (Filth Flies Present in Food Areas) is a critical violation. House flies, fruit flies, drain flies, or other filth flies present in establishment. RAPID CONTAMINATION: Flies carry 100+ pathogens on feet and bodies. One fly transfers 2 million bacteria per landing. Feed by vomiting on food. Can contaminate entire prep area in minutes. Major vector for E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella transmission.
- What does violation code 04A mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 04A (Food Protection Certificate Not Held by Supervisor) is a critical violation. At least one supervisor with NYC Food Protection Certificate must be present during all hours of operation. KNOWLEDGE GAP: Establishments without certified managers have 2.5x more critical violations. Lack of food safety knowledge directly correlates with foodborne illness outbreaks. Certified managers reduce outbreak risk by 60% through proper training and oversight.
- What does violation code 10G mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 10G (Dishwashing facilities inadequate) is a major violation. Proper warewashing facilities and procedures required to sanitize equipment Inadequate dishwashing spreads bacteria across all utensils and tableware
- What does violation code 08A mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 08A (Facility Not Free from Harborage Conditions) is a major violation. Conditions exist that attract or allow pests to harbor in establishment. PEST ATTRACTION: Harborage conditions support pest infestations. Gaps allow entry of rodents carrying 35+ diseases. Standing water breeds flies that spread 100+ pathogens. Clutter provides nesting for pests. Creates ongoing contamination risk.
- What does violation code 06C mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 06C (Food not protected from contamination) is a critical violation. All food must be protected from contamination during storage, prep, display and service Unprotected food exposed to bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and physical contaminants
- 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
- What does violation code 02B mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
- NYC violation 02B (Hot TCS Food Not Held at 140°F or Above) is a critical violation. Hot potentially hazardous foods must be maintained at 140°F or above to prevent rapid bacterial growth in the danger zone (41-140°F). BACTERIAL MULTIPLICATION: At 120°F, Clostridium perfringens doubles every 10 minutes. Can reach illness-causing levels within 1 hour. This bacteria causes 1 million US cases annually with severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea lasting 24 hours. Hot holding violations responsible for 40% of restaurant outbreaks.