La Covacha
368 Columbus Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10024
Mexican Upper West Side (212) 712-2929
Grade A · as of Aug 20, 2026
La Covacha was last inspected on August 20, 2026 and scored 9 points (A range). Inspectors found 2 violations, 1 of them critical.
Latest inspection
August 20, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection
Score: 9 points (A range)
1 critical1 general-
CriticalFood temperature
Hot food was being held below 140°F, where bacteria can grow.
Official wording (code 02B)
Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Non-food surfaces or equipment were dirty, damaged, or made of unsuitable material.
Official wording (code 10F)
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.
Inspection history
3 inspections on record
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24 24 points (B range)
Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection
Scored in the B range on an initial inspection, so no grade is given yet. A re-inspection follows.
4 critical Show violations
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CriticalFood temperature
Cold food was kept warmer than 41°F, where bacteria can grow.
Official wording (code 02G)
Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Surfaces that touch food weren’t properly washed and sanitized.
Official wording (code 06D)
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
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CriticalFood handling
Workers touched ready-to-eat food with bare hands.
Official wording (code 04C)
Food worker/food vendor does not use utensil or other barrier to eliminate bare hand contact with food that will not receive adequate additional heat treatment.
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Workers’ personal hygiene was inadequate (dirty clothing, no hair restraint, jewelry).
Official wording (code 06A)
Personal cleanliness is inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn where required. Jewelry worn on hands or arms. Fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed.
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A 13 points (A range)
Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection
2 critical1 general Show violations
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Food or supplies weren’t protected from contamination during storage, prep, or service.
Official wording (code 06C)
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.
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Surfaces that touch food weren’t properly washed and sanitized.
Official wording (code 06D)
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet room was not maintained, stocked, or self-closing.
Official wording (code 10A)
Toilet facility not maintained or provided with toilet paper, waste receptacle or self-closing door.
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More in Upper West Side
Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 3 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.