Essex Taqueria

Name: Essex Taqueria
Address: 123 Essex Street, NYC, NY, 10002, US
Telephone: (212) 260-8226

123 Essex Street, Manhattan, NY 10002

Grade A · as of Oct 22, 2025

Essex Taqueria was last inspected on October 22, 2025 and scored 5 points (A range). Inspectors found 1 violation, 1 of them critical.

Latest inspection

October 22, 2025 · Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection

Score: 5 points (A range)

1 critical

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.

Inspection scores over time. Lower is better: 0–13 is an A, 14–27 a B, 28 or more a C.

Inspection history

3 inspections on record

Sep 2, 2025 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.
3 critical5 general1 paperwork Show violations
- CriticalPests
  
  Live roaches were found.
  
  Official wording (code 04M)
  Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
- 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.
- CriticalHygiene & sanitation
  
  Clean utensils or equipment were stored or handled in a way that could contaminate them.
  
  Official wording (code 06E)
  Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
- GeneralOther
  
  No contract with a licensed exterminator, or pest-control records missing.
  
  Official wording (code 28-06)
  Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.
- 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.
- 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
  
  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.
- PaperworkFood handling
  
  No “wash hands” sign at the hand sink.
  
  Official wording (code 09E)
  Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink.
May 8, 2024 A 13 points (A range)

Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection
1 critical2 general Show violations
- 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
  
  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.
- 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.

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How NYC grades restaurants

Inspectors add points for each violation. Lower is better.
0–13 points earns an A. 14–27 is a B. 28 or more is a C.
A restaurant that scores 14 or more on its first inspection gets no grade yet. It is re-inspected about a month later and can display “Grade Pending” in the meantime.

Severity levels

Critical Can directly make someone sick: food temperatures, contamination, pests, hand-washing.
General Cleanliness, maintenance and facility problems.
Paperwork Missing signs, permits or paperwork.

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Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 12 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.