A

Taco Express

251-14 Hillside Avenue, Queens, NY 11426

Tex-Mex Bellerose (718) 470-2399

Grade A · as of Jul 9, 2026

Taco Express was last inspected on July 9, 2026 and scored 5 points (A range). Inspectors found 1 violation, 1 of them critical.

Latest inspection

July 9, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

A

Score: 5 points (A range)

1 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.

ABJul 18, 2023: 434323/07Dec 20, 2023: 5523/12Feb 4, 2025: 393925/02Apr 14, 2025: 131325/04Jul 9, 2026: 5526/07
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 critical3 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.

    • 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.

    • 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

      Single-use items (cups, utensils, containers) were missing, reused, or left unprotected.

      Official wording (code 10H)

      Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.

  2. 39 39 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 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

  3. –

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

    2 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

    • PaperworkSigns & paperwork

      Failure to display required signage about plastic straw availability

  4. A 5 points (A range)

    Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Single-use items (cups, utensils, containers) were missing, reused, or left unprotected.

      Official wording (code 10H)

      Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.

    • 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. 43 43 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.

    2 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.

    • 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.

    • 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

      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.

More in Bellerose

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