El Ranchero
160-20 46 Avenue, Queens, NY 11358
Mexican East Flushing (718) 321-8429
Grade A · as of Feb 19, 2026
El Ranchero was last inspected on February 19, 2026 and scored 13 points (A range). Inspectors found 5 violations, 1 of them critical, including signs of pests.
Latest inspection
February 19, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection
Score: 13 points (A range)
1 critical4 general-
CriticalFood handling
Damaged cans weren’t separated from good stock and labeled for return.
Official wording (code 09A)
Swollen, leaking, rusted or otherwise damaged canned food to be returned to distributor not segregated from intact product and clearly labeled DO NOT USE
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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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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.
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Non-food surfaces or equipment were poorly built or maintained.
Official wording (code 10G)
Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
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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.
Inspection history
7 inspections on record
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33 33 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 critical Show violations
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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.
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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.
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CriticalFood source
Shellfish lacked proper source tags or the tags weren’t kept for 90 days.
Official wording (code 03B)
Shellfish not from approved source, not or improperly tagged/labeled; tags not retained for 90 days.
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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.
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GP 2 points (A range)
Cycle Inspection · Reopening Inspection
The Health Department allowed this restaurant to re-open.
1 general Show violations
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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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Closed 47 points (C range)
Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection
The Health Department closed this restaurant at this inspection.
3 critical2 general Show violations
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CriticalPests
Mice, or signs of mice, were found.
Official wording (code 04L)
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Fridges or hot-holding units lacked an accurate thermometer.
Official wording (code 10E)
Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment
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B 18 points (B range)
Pre-permit (Operational) · Re-inspection
2 critical Show violations
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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.
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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.
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Administrative Miscellaneous · Re-inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)
1 paperwork Show violations
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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.
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36 36 points (C range)
Pre-permit (Operational) · 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
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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.
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CriticalFood temperature
Food made from room-temperature ingredients wasn’t chilled quickly enough.
Official wording (code 02I)
TCS food removed from cold holding or prepared from or combined with ingredients at room temperature not cooled by an approved method to 41 °F or below within 4 hours.
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CriticalPests
Mice, or signs of mice, were found.
Official wording (code 04L)
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
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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.
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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.
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Non-food surfaces or equipment were poorly built or maintained.
Official wording (code 10G)
Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
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More in East Flushing
Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 9 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.