Shah's Karaoke & Poetry Cafe
19-79 Steinway Street, Queens, NY 11105
American Steinway (718) 799-3775
Not yet graded
Shah's Karaoke & Poetry Cafe was last inspected on September 24, 2026 and scored 29 points (C range). Inspectors found 5 violations, 2 of them critical, including signs of pests.
Latest inspection
September 24, 2026 · Pre-permit (Operational) · Initial Inspection
Score: 29 points (C range)
2 critical3 general-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
Garbage bins were not pest-proof or not kept covered and clean.
Official wording (code 08B)
Garbage receptacle not pest or water resistant, with tight-fitting lids, and covered except while in active use. Garbage receptacle and cover not cleaned after emptying and prior to reuse. Garbage, refuse and other solid and liquid waste not collected, stored, removed and disposed of so as to prevent a nuisance.
Inspection history
4 inspections on record
-
–
Administrative Miscellaneous · Initial Inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)
1 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
-
-
100 100 points (C range)
Pre-permit (Non-operational) · Initial Inspection
Scored in the C range on an initial inspection, so no grade is given yet. A re-inspection follows.
4 critical4 general Show violations
-
CriticalFacility
No approved procedure for refilling reusable containers.
Official wording (code 05H)
No approved written standard operating procedure for avoiding contamination by refillable returnable containers.
-
CriticalFacility
A hand-washing sink was missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Official wording (code 05D)
No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device.
-
CriticalFacility
Not enough refrigeration or hot-holding equipment to keep food at safe temperatures.
Official wording (code 05F)
Insufficient or no hot holding, cold storage or cold holding equipment provided to maintain Time/Temperature Control for Safety Foods (TCS) at required temperatures
-
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
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.
-
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
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.
-
GeneralOther
No contract with a licensed exterminator, or pest-control records missing.
Official wording (code 28-06)
Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.
-
-
–
Administrative Miscellaneous · Initial Inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)
1 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
-
More in Steinway
Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 6 weeks ago. Always confirm with the official record.