El Pinguino

25 Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Seafood
Last inspected: Nov 14, 2025
70
Score
Medium Risk NYC Grade: A

With just two inspections in the record, there isn't enough history to establish a clear pattern. The most recent visit was on Nov 14, 2025. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.

There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near four violations per visit across recent inspections.

When inspectors have written things up, “food contact surface not properly washed” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.

Compared to other Brooklyn restaurants (averaging 77), there's room to close the gap. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.

2
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 14, 2025
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 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
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink.
09E
70
Apr 13, 2023
Pre-permit (Operational) / Initial Inspection
3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
06F
Food worker/food vendor does not use utensil or other barrier to eliminate bare hand contact with food that will not receive adequate additional heat treatment.
04C
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
61

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Pinguino last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Pinguino on file is from Nov 14, 2025. The public record contains two inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Pinguino?

Across the inspection record, “food contact surface not properly washed” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Pinguino.

How does El Pinguino compare to other restaurants in Brooklyn?

El Pinguino most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Brooklyn average of 77.

Has El Pinguino's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Pinguino have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

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