A

Rico's Chicken Pollos a la Brasa

146-04 45 Avenue, Queens, NY 11355

Latin American East Flushing (718) 886-1491

Grade A · as of Apr 3, 2026

Rico's Chicken Pollos a la Brasa was last inspected on September 18, 2026 and scored 38 points (C range). Inspectors found 7 violations, 4 of them critical, including signs of pests.

Latest inspection

September 18, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

38

Score: 38 points (C range)

4 critical3 general

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

  • 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

    A hand-washing sink was missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

    Official wording (code 05D)

    No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • GeneralFood handling

    Frozen food was being thawed the wrong way.

    Official wording (code 09B)

    Thawing procedure improper.

ABJun 28, 2024: 8824/06Sep 24, 2025: 303025/09Oct 20, 2025: 8825/10Feb 18, 2026: 141426/02Apr 3, 2026: 131326/04Sep 18, 2026: 383826/09
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 13 points (A range)

    Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection

    1 critical2 general 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.

    • 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.

  2. 14 14 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.

    2 critical1 general 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

      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.

  3. A 8 points (A range)

    Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection

    1 critical1 general Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Someone was eating, drinking, or smoking in a food prep or dishwashing area.

      Official wording (code 06B)

      Tobacco or electronic cigarette use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area.

    • 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. 30 30 points (C range)

    Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

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

    4 critical1 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.

    • 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

      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

      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.

    • 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. A 8 points (A range)

    Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

    1 critical1 general Show violations
    • 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.

    • 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.

More in East Flushing

Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 7 weeks ago. Always confirm with the official record.