Grade ALatin American

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.

    Critical
  • A general health-code issue noted during the inspection.

    Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.

    Critical
  • A 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

DateResultTypeViolations
May 4, 2026Grade PendingCycle Inspection / Initial Inspection3 (2 critical)
Dec 9, 2024Grade ACycle Inspection / Re-inspection2 (2 critical)
Oct 24, 2024Grade PendingCycle Inspection / Initial Inspection8 (3 critical)
May 11, 2023Grade ACycle Inspection / Initial Inspection2 (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.

Check any restaurant before you go

Radius puts New York City’s inspection record in your pocket, in plain English.

Looking for something else in New York City? Browse New York City inspections.