Pica Pollo Joa
1370 Saint Nicholas Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10033
Latin American Washington Heights South (917) 414-8446
Grade Pending · as of Jun 16, 2026
Pica Pollo Joa was last inspected on September 21, 2026 and scored 22 points (B range). Inspectors found 3 violations, 2 of them critical.
Latest inspection
September 21, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Compliance Inspection
Score: 22 points (B range)
2 critical1 general-
CriticalFood source
Juice packaged on site was missing its label or warning.
Official wording (code 03I)
Juice packaged on premises with no or incomplete label, no warning statement
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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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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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GP 43 points (C range)
Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection
6 critical1 general Show violations
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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.
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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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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
Juice packaged on site was missing its label or warning.
Official wording (code 03I)
Juice packaged on premises with no or incomplete label, no warning statement
-
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 handling
Food was contaminated or cross-contaminated, or wasn’t thrown out when it should have been.
Official wording (code 04H)
Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
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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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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.
5 critical1 general Show violations
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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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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 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
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.
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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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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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Administrative Miscellaneous · Initial Inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)
1 paperwork Show violations
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PaperworkSigns & paperwork
Letter grade or Grade Pending card not posted.
Official wording (code 20-06)
Current letter grade or Grade Pending card not posted
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B 22 points (B range)
Pre-permit (Operational) · Re-inspection
2 critical1 general Show violations
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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.
-
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.
-
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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32 32 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
-
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.
-
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.
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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.
-
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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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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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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More in Washington Heights South
Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 6 weeks ago. Always confirm with the official record.