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A

Empire Chinese Restaurant

178-17 Union Turnpike, Queens, NY 11366

Chinese Fresh Meadows-Utopia (917) 637-0523

Grade A · as of Aug 11, 2025

Empire Chinese Restaurant was last inspected on August 11, 2025 and scored 12 points (A range). Inspectors found 2 violations, 2 of them critical.

Latest inspection

August 11, 2025 · Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

A

Score: 12 points (A range)

2 critical

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.
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 20, 2023 A 7 points (A range)

Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection
1 critical 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.
Nov 1, 2022 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.
1 critical2 general Show violations
- CriticalFood handling
  
  Sewage or wastewater contaminated a food or work area.
  
  Official wording (code 04F)
  Food, food preparation area, food storage area, or other area used by employees or patrons, contaminated by sewage or liquid waste.
- 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.

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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.

More on reading these results

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.

More in Fresh Meadows-Utopia

Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 15 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.