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Grade ASpanish

El Viejo Gran Cafe

498 EAST 138 STREET, Bronx, 10454

Should you eat here?

Mostly OK — but 1 critical violation was found at the latest inspection (10 months ago). Details below.

Last inspected Sep 10, 2025 · New York City health department

What the inspector found on Sep 10, 2025

  • Raw and ready-to-eat foods were not kept separate, risking contamination.

    Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

    Critical

  • A 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.

  • Food was not stored, covered, labeled, or dated properly.

    Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.

Inspection history

DateResultTypeViolations
Sep 10, 2025Grade ACycle Inspection / Re-inspection3 (1 critical)
Apr 14, 2025Grade PendingCycle Inspection / Initial Inspection4 (3 critical)
Sep 3, 2024Grade CCycle Inspection / Reopening Inspection1
Aug 28, 2024Grade PendingCycle Inspection / Re-inspection8 (5 critical)
Mar 11, 2024Grade PendingCycle Inspection / Initial Inspection6 (3 critical)
Mar 16, 2023Grade ACycle Inspection / Re-inspection2 (1 critical)
Mar 1, 2023Grade PendingCycle Inspection / Initial Inspection4 (4 critical)
Sep 20, 2022Grade ACycle Inspection / Re-inspection3 (2 critical)

Problems that keep coming back

Issues cited at more than one inspection — a better signal than any single visit.

  • 6×A cleanliness or sanitizing issue with surfaces, dishware, or the general premises.
  • 3×Signs of pests (like mice, rats, roaches, or flies) or conditions that could attract them.
  • 3×Signs of pests (like mice, rats, roaches, or flies) or conditions that could attract them.
  • 3×Raw and ready-to-eat foods were not kept separate, risking contamination.
  • 2×Raw and ready-to-eat foods were not kept separate, risking contamination.
  • 2×Food was not stored, covered, labeled, or dated properly.
  • 2×Signs of pests (like mice, rats, roaches, or flies) or conditions that could attract them.
  • 2×Food was not kept hot or cold enough. Wrong temperatures let bacteria grow.

Around this address

City records for the building itself, not this restaurant’s inspection.

  • 6 rodent inspections on record, 1 finding rat activity.
  • 1 recent 311 complaint filed at this address.

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