Meli Taqueria
184 East 116 Street, Manhattan, NY 10029
Mexican East Harlem North (917) 216-1735
Grade A · as of Mar 18, 2025
Meli Taqueria was last inspected on July 20, 2026 and scored 20 points (B range). Inspectors found 3 violations, 2 of them critical.
Latest inspection
July 20, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection
Score: 20 points (B range)
2 critical1 generalScored in the B range on an initial inspection, so no grade is given yet. A re-inspection follows.
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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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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.
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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
6 inspections on record
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A 10 points (A range)
Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection
1 critical1 general Show violations
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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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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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C 58 points (C range)
Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection
7 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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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
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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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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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Clean utensils or equipment were stored or handled in a way that could contaminate them.
Official wording (code 06E)
Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
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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 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.
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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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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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Administrative Miscellaneous · Re-inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)
2 paperwork Show violations
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PaperworkSigns & paperwork
Providing single-use, non-compostable plastic straws to customers without customer request (including providing such straws at a self-serve station)
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PaperworkSigns & paperwork
Required healthy-eating information wasn’t posted.
Official wording (code 20-08)
Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information
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38 38 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.
3 critical3 general Show violations
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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.
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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.
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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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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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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.
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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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Administrative Miscellaneous · Initial Inspection · No violations were recorded at the time of this inspection
No violations
Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 4 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.