A

El Viejo Gran Cafe

498 East 138 Street, Bronx, NY 10454

Spanish Mott Haven-Port Morris (718) 993-3932

Grade A · as of Sep 10, 2025

El Viejo Gran Cafe was last inspected on October 6, 2026 and scored 31 points (C range). Inspectors found 7 violations, 3 of them critical, including signs of pests.

Latest inspection

October 6, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

31

Score: 31 points (C range)

3 critical4 general

Scored in the C range on an initial inspection, so no grade is given yet. A re-inspection follows.

  • 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.

  • CriticalFood temperature

    Cooked food wasn’t cooled down quickly enough.

    Official wording (code 02H)

    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.

  • CriticalPests

    Mice, or signs of mice, were found.

    Official wording (code 04L)

    Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Plumbing was missing protection against backflow, or floors didn’t drain properly.

    Official wording (code 10B)

    Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.

  • GeneralPests

    Pesticides were used or stored improperly, or open bait was used.

    Official wording (code 08C)

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

  • GeneralPests

    The building wasn’t pest-proofed: gaps, holes, or clutter that let rodents or insects in or give them shelter.

    Official wording (code 08A)

    Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

  • GeneralFood handling

    Food-contact surfaces were in poor repair.

    Official wording (code 09C)

    Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.

ABMar 11, 2024: 262624/03Aug 28, 2024: 606024/08Sep 3, 2024: 3324/09Apr 14, 2025: 252525/04Sep 10, 2025: 111125/09Oct 6, 2026: 313126/10
Inspection scores over time. Lower is better: 0–13 is an A, 14–27 a B, 28 or more a C.

Inspection history

6 inspections on record

  1. A 11 points (A range)

    Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection

    1 critical2 general Show violations
    • 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.

    • GeneralPests

      Pesticides were used or stored improperly, or open bait was used.

      Official wording (code 08C)

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

    • 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.

  2. 25 25 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.

    3 critical1 general Show violations
    • CriticalFood handling

      Food was contaminated or cross-contaminated, or wasn’t thrown out when it should have been.

      Official wording (code 04H)

      Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

    • CriticalFood temperature

      Cooked food wasn’t cooled down quickly enough.

      Official wording (code 02H)

      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.

    • CriticalPests

      Mice, or signs of mice, were found.

      Official wording (code 04L)

      Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

    • GeneralPests

      The building wasn’t pest-proofed: gaps, holes, or clutter that let rodents or insects in or give them shelter.

      Official wording (code 08A)

      Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

  3. C 3 points (A range)

    Cycle Inspection · Reopening Inspection

    The Health Department allowed this restaurant to re-open.

    1 general Show violations
    • 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.

  4. Closed 60 points (C range)

    Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection

    The Health Department closed this restaurant at this inspection.

    5 critical3 general Show violations
    • CriticalPests

      Mice, or signs of mice, were found.

      Official wording (code 04L)

      Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

    • CriticalFood handling

      Food was contaminated or cross-contaminated, or wasn’t thrown out when it should have been.

      Official wording (code 04H)

      Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

    • CriticalFacility

      Not enough refrigeration or hot-holding equipment to keep food at safe temperatures.

      Official wording (code 05F)

      Insufficient or no hot holding, cold storage or cold holding equipment provided to maintain Time/Temperature Control for Safety Foods (TCS) at required temperatures

    • CriticalPests

      Live roaches were found.

      Official wording (code 04M)

      Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing was missing protection against backflow, or floors didn’t drain properly.

      Official wording (code 10B)

      Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.

    • GeneralPests

      The building wasn’t pest-proofed: gaps, holes, or clutter that let rodents or insects in or give them shelter.

      Official wording (code 08A)

      Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

  5. 26 26 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.

    3 critical3 general Show violations
    • CriticalPests

      Mice, or signs of mice, were found.

      Official wording (code 04L)

      Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

    • CriticalPests

      Live roaches were found.

      Official wording (code 04M)

      Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.

    • CriticalFood handling

      Food was contaminated or cross-contaminated, or wasn’t thrown out when it should have been.

      Official wording (code 04H)

      Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

    • GeneralPests

      The building wasn’t pest-proofed: gaps, holes, or clutter that let rodents or insects in or give them shelter.

      Official wording (code 08A)

      Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

    • 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.

    • GeneralPests

      Pesticides were used or stored improperly, or open bait was used.

      Official wording (code 08C)

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

More in Mott Haven-Port Morris

Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 4 weeks ago. Always confirm with the official record.