A

Gong Cha

88-01 Queens Boulevard, Queens, NY 11373

Coffee/Tea Elmhurst (718) 737-2900

Grade A · as of Jul 23, 2026

Gong Cha was last inspected on July 23, 2026 and scored 12 points (A range). Inspectors found 2 violations, 2 of them critical.

Latest inspection

July 23, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

A

Score: 12 points (A range)

2 critical
  • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

    Workers’ personal hygiene was inadequate (dirty clothing, no hair restraint, jewelry).

    Official wording (code 06A)

    Personal cleanliness is inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn where required. Jewelry worn on hands or arms. Fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed.

  • CriticalFood handling

    Workers touched ready-to-eat food with bare hands.

    Official wording (code 04C)

    Food worker/food vendor does not use utensil or other barrier to eliminate bare hand contact with food that will not receive adequate additional heat treatment.

ABAug 29, 2023: 131323/08Oct 28, 2024: 222224/10Feb 10, 2025: 262625/02Jul 23, 2026: 121226/07
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. –

    Administrative Miscellaneous · Initial Inspection · No violations were recorded at the time of this inspection

    No violations

  2. B 26 points (B range)

    Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection

    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.

    • CriticalFood handling

      No one supervising the kitchen held a Food Protection Certificate.

      Official wording (code 04A)

      Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

    • 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.

  3. –

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

    3 paperwork Show violations
    • PaperworkSigns & paperwork

      Required healthy-eating information wasn’t posted.

      Official wording (code 20-08)

      Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information

    • PaperworkSigns & paperwork

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

    • PaperworkSigns & paperwork

      Required choking first-aid or alcohol-and-pregnancy signs (or resuscitation masks) were missing.

      Official wording (code 20-04)

      “Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted.

  4. 22 22 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 critical2 general Show violations
    • 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

      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.

    • 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

      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.

  5. A 13 points (A range)

    Pre-permit (Operational) · Initial Inspection

    2 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.

    • 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.

More in Elmhurst

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