Dirty Taco

89 East 42 Street, Manhattan, NY 10017

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Jul 16, 2025

Score

High Risk NYC Grade: B

The health department has logged five inspections at Dirty Taco, the earliest from 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Jul 16, 2025. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.

Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around six violations lately compared to roughly two violations before.

Across the inspection history, “hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

Restaurants in Manhattan average 77, so Dirty Taco trails the local norm. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jul 16, 2025

Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

5 critical violations. 1 minor violation.

View 6 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

Hot tcs food item not held at or above 140 °f.

02B

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

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

Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

08A

May 22, 2025

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

3 critical violations. 2 minor violations.

View 5 violations

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

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.

06A

Hot tcs food item not held at or above 140 °f.

02B

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

Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.

09C

Aug 3, 2024

Inter-Agency Task Force / Initial Inspection

No violations found.

100

Dec 5, 2023

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

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

Jul 25, 2022

Pre-permit (Non-operational) / Initial Inspection

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Food, supplies, and equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

06C

10B

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Dirty Taco last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Dirty Taco on file is from Jul 16, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Dirty Taco?

Across the inspection record, “hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Dirty Taco.

How does Dirty Taco compare to other restaurants in Manhattan?

Dirty Taco most recently scored 45 out of 100, which is lower than the Manhattan average of 77.

Has Dirty Taco's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Dirty Taco have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at Dirty Taco 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 Dirty Taco inspected?

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

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 58 — Medium Risk

Prova Pizza Bar

89 East 42 Street

Score: 50 — High Risk

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→ All locations in Manhattan → Mexican / Latin restaurants in NYC → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Manhattan