Cafe Valdez

40-15 Junction Boulevard, Queens, NY 11368
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Oct 8, 2025
52
Score
High Risk NYC Grade: B

Cafe Valdez appears in inspection records six times, starting in 2023. Inspectors last stopped by on Oct 8, 2025. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.

The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around seven violations, down from roughly nine violations earlier in the record.

“Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing six times across the record.

That's lower than the typical Queens restaurant, which scores around 75. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.

6
Inspections
3
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 8, 2025
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
3 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
06E
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.
06C
Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
04M
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink.
09E
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.
10F
Current letter grade or grade pending card not posted
20-06
52
Aug 29, 2025
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
3 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
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.
06C
Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
04M
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.
05D
Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
09C
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
Dishwashing and ware washing: cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
10G
Current letter grade or grade pending card not posted
20-06
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.
10F
50
Apr 29, 2025
Administrative Miscellaneous / Re-inspection
4 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hot tcs food item not held at or above 140 °f.
02B
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.
04N
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.
02G
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
Current letter grade or grade pending card not posted
20-06
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.
10F
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
47
Feb 19, 2025
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
6 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
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.
04N
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.
02G
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.
02H
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.
06C
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.
05D
Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
04M
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
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.
10B
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.
10F
Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
09C
33
Feb 15, 2024
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
6 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
04L
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with haccp plan.
04H
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.
02H
Tobacco or electronic cigarette use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area.
06B
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.
02G
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.
10F
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
Thawing procedure improper.
09B
35
Mar 16, 2023
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
4 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Hot tcs food item not held at or above 140 °f.
02B
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.
04N
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
04L
Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
04M
Toilet facility not maintained or provided with toilet paper, waste receptacle or self-closing door.
10A
Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
08C
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.
10F
Thawing procedure improper.
09B
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
43

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Cafe Valdez last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Cafe Valdez on file is from Oct 8, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Cafe Valdez?

Across the inspection record, “establishment is not free of harborage or conditions” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Cafe Valdez.

How does Cafe Valdez compare to other restaurants in Queens?

Cafe Valdez most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Queens average of 75.

Has Cafe Valdez's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Cafe Valdez have averaged around seven violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at Cafe Valdez means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.

How often is Cafe Valdez inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Cafe Valdez is inspected around two times per year on average.