El Buen Sabor

96-07 Metropolitan Avenue, Queens, NY 11375

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Sep 4, 2025

Score

Medium Risk NYC Grade: A

The inspection history at El Buen Sabor is still short, with only two visits logged. Inspectors last stopped by on Sep 4, 2025. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.

Compared to the prior visit, the count dropped from 12 violations to five.

Looking across the full record, cold TCS food item held above 41 °F is the recurring theme, flagged two times.

By comparison, the average Queens facility scores 75, putting El Buen Sabor on the weaker side. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Sep 4, 2025

Pre-permit (Operational) / Re-inspection

1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 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

Providing single-use, non-compostable plastic straws to customers without customer request (including providing such straws at a self-serve station)

19-06

Failure to display required signage about plastic straw availability

19-10

Food allergy information poster not conspicuously posted where food is being prepared or processed by food workers.

20-01

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 24, 2025

Pre-permit (Operational) / Initial Inspection

7 critical violations. 5 minor violations.

View 12 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

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

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.

03A

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

02B

02G

Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.

06F

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

08A

Providing single-use, non-compostable plastic straws to customers without customer request (including providing such straws at a self-serve station)

19-06

Single service article not provided. single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.

10H

Failure to display required signage about plastic straw availability

19-10

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.

16-02

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Buen Sabor last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Buen Sabor on file is from Sep 4, 2025. The public record contains two inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Buen Sabor?

Across the inspection record, cold TCS food item held above 41 °F has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Buen Sabor.

How does El Buen Sabor compare to other restaurants in Queens?

El Buen Sabor most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Queens average of 75.

Has El Buen Sabor's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at El Buen Sabor have turned up fewer violations than earlier ones, with the latest finding around five violations compared to about 12 previously.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at El Buen Sabor means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

Nearby Restaurants

Buen Sabor Latino

96-07 Metropolitan Avenue

Score: 70 — Medium Risk

Fukuda Sushi

96-05 Metropolitan Avenue

Score: 74 — Medium Risk

Umi Sushi Bar & Teriyaki Grill

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Score: 74 — Medium Risk

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