Elsa Restaurant La Reina Del Chicharron
1249 ST NICHOLAS AVENUE, Manhattan, 10032
Should you eat here?
Mostly OK — but 2 critical violations were found at the latest inspection (3 months ago). Details below.
Last inspected May 4, 2026 · New York City health department
What the inspector found on May 4, 2026
Food was not kept hot or cold enough. Wrong temperatures let bacteria grow.
After cooking or removal from hot holding, TCS food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal temperature is reduced from 140 °F to 70 °F or less within 2 hours, and from 70 °F to 41 °F or less within 4 additional hours.
CriticalA general health-code issue noted during the inspection.
Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
CriticalA cleanliness or sanitizing issue with surfaces, dishware, or the general premises.
Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
Inspection history
| Date | Result | Type | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 4, 2026 | Grade Pending | Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection | 3 (2 critical) |
| Dec 9, 2024 | Grade A | Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection | 2 (2 critical) |
| Oct 24, 2024 | Grade Pending | Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection | 8 (3 critical) |
| May 11, 2023 | Grade A | Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection | 2 (1 critical) |
Problems that keep coming back
Issues cited at more than one inspection — a better signal than any single visit.
- 3×A general health-code issue noted during the inspection.
- 2×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.
- 50 rodent inspections on record, 22 finding rat activity.
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