A

Empanadas El Gustazo Restaurante

42-19 College Point Boulevard, Queens, NY 11355

Latin American Flushing (718) 661-1080

Grade A · as of Oct 14, 2026

Empanadas El Gustazo Restaurante was last inspected on October 14, 2026 and scored 12 points (A range). Inspectors found 2 violations, 2 of them critical.

Latest inspection

October 14, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

A

Score: 12 points (A range)

2 critical
  • 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.

  • 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.

ABDec 22, 2023: 131323/12Mar 18, 2025: 232325/03Jul 2, 2025: 515125/07Oct 3, 2025: 252525/10Oct 14, 2025: 121225/10Oct 14, 2026: 121226/10
Inspection scores over time. Lower is better: 0–13 is an A, 14–27 a B, 28 or more a C.

Inspection history

10 inspections on record

  1. A 12 points (A range)

    Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection

    1 critical1 general Show violations
    • CriticalFood source

      Food came from an unapproved or unknown source (for example, home-prepared).

      Official wording (code 03A)

      Food, prohibited, from unapproved or unknown source, home canned or home prepared. Animal slaughtered, butchered or dressed (eviscerated, skinned) in establishment. Reduced Oxygen Packaged (ROP) fish not frozen before processing. ROP food prepared on premises transported to another site.

    • 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. –

    Administrative Miscellaneous · Initial Inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)

    1 paperwork Show violations
    • PaperworkSigns & paperwork

      Letter grade or Grade Pending card not posted.

      Official wording (code 20-06)

      Current letter grade or Grade Pending card not posted

  3. 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.

    4 critical2 general Show violations
    • CriticalFood handling

      Toxic chemicals or pesticides were stored where they could contaminate food.

      Official wording (code 04E)

      Toxic chemical or pesticide improperly stored or used such that food contamination may occur.

    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Wiping cloths were dirty or not kept in sanitizing solution.

      Official wording (code 06F)

      Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.

    • CriticalPests

      Flies or other nuisance pests were found.

      Official wording (code 04N)

      Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.

    • 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.

    • 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.

  4. C 51 points (C range)

    Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection

    6 critical2 general Show violations
    • 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

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • CriticalPests

      Live roaches were found.

      Official wording (code 04M)

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

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

  5. –

    Administrative Miscellaneous · Re-inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)

    1 paperwork Show violations
    • PaperworkSigns & paperwork

      Providing single-use, non-compostable plastic straws to customers without customer request (including providing such straws at a self-serve station)

  6. 23 23 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 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

  7. –

    Administrative Miscellaneous · Initial Inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)

    1 paperwork Show violations
    • PaperworkSigns & paperwork

      Providing single-use, non-compostable plastic straws to customers without customer request (including providing such straws at a self-serve station)

  8. A 13 points (A range)

    Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

    2 critical Show violations
    • 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.

    • 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.

  9. –

    Administrative Miscellaneous · Initial Inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)

    1 paperwork Show violations
    • PaperworkSigns & paperwork

      Letter grade or Grade Pending card not posted.

      Official wording (code 20-06)

      Current letter grade or Grade Pending card not posted

More in Flushing

Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 3 weeks ago. Always confirm with the official record.