Closed

Empanada Loca

9 Dekalb Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Latin American DUMBO-Vinegar Hill-Downtown Brklyn-Boerum Hill (929) 217-8365

Closed by the Health Department · as of Sep 16, 2026

Empanada Loca was last inspected on September 16, 2026 and scored 97 points (C range). Inspectors found 12 violations, 7 of them critical, including signs of pests.

Latest inspection

September 16, 2026 · Pre-permit (Operational) · Initial Inspection

Closed

Score: 97 points (C range)

7 critical5 general

The Health Department closed this restaurant at this inspection.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

    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.

  • 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 source

    Drinking water or ice was unsafe or from an unapproved source.

    Official wording (code 03E)

    No or inadequate potable water supply. Water or ice not potable or from unapproved source. Bottled water not NY State certified. Cross connection in potable water supply system.

  • CriticalFood temperature

    Pre-cooked packaged food wasn’t heated to a safe temperature.

    Official wording (code 02D)

    Commercially processed pre-cooked TCS in hermetically sealed containers and precooked TCS in intact packages from non-retail food processing establishments not heated to 140 °F within 2 hours of removal from container or package.

  • GeneralOther

    Unapproved cooking outdoors or on the sidewalk.

    Official wording (code 28-07)

    Unapproved outdoor, street or sidewalk cooking.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

3 inspections on record

  1. Closed

    Administrative Miscellaneous · Initial Inspection · Establishment Closed by DOHMH. Violations were cited in the following area(s) and those requiring immediate action were addressed

    The Health Department closed this restaurant at this inspection.

    1 general2 paperwork Show violations
    • GeneralOther

      A nuisance or unsafe condition was allowed to exist.

      Official wording (code 28-01)

      Nuisance created or allowed to exist. Facility not free from unsafe, hazardous, offensive or annoying condition.

    • 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

      Food allergy poster not posted where staff prepare food.

      Official wording (code 20-01)

      Allergen or intolerance notice not translated into common language when required

  2. –

    Trans Fat · Initial Inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)

    1 paperwork Show violations
    • PaperworkNutrition labeling

      The original nutrition fact labels or ingredient label for a cooking oil, shortening or margarine or food item sold in bulk, or acceptable manufacturer’s documentation not maintained on site.

More in DUMBO-Vinegar Hill-Downtown Brklyn-Boerum Hill

Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 7 weeks ago. Always confirm with the official record.