El Cocinerito
86-23 ROOSEVELT AVENUE, Queens, 11372
Should you eat here?
Mostly OK — but 1 critical violation was found at the latest inspection (1 year ago). Details below.
Last inspected Mar 5, 2025 · New York City health department
What the inspector found on Mar 5, 2025
Raw and ready-to-eat foods were not kept separate, risking 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.
CriticalA cleanliness or sanitizing issue with surfaces, dishware, or the general premises.
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.
A staff hygiene issue, such as handwashing, glove use, or bare-hand contact with food.
“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted.
A general health-code issue noted during the inspection.
Providing single-use, non-compostable plastic straws to customers without customer request (including providing such straws at a self-serve station)
A staff hygiene issue, such as handwashing, glove use, or bare-hand contact with food.
Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information
Inspection history
| Date | Result | Type | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 5, 2025 | Grade A | Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection | 5 (1 critical) |
| May 16, 2023 | Grade Pending | Pre-permit (Non-operational) / Re-inspection | 1 |
| May 8, 2023 | Grade Pending | Pre-permit (Non-operational) / Initial Inspection | 3 (2 critical) |
Problems that keep coming back
Issues cited at more than one inspection — a better signal than any single visit.
- 3×A cleanliness or sanitizing issue with surfaces, dishware, or the general premises.
- 2×Raw and ready-to-eat foods were not kept separate, risking contamination.
Around this address
City records for the building itself, not this restaurant’s inspection.
- 12 rodent inspections on record, 6 finding rat activity.
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