El Ranchero

160-20 46 Avenue, Queens, NY 11358

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Feb 19, 2026

Score

Medium Risk NYC Grade: A

El Ranchero appears in inspection records six times, starting in 2023. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 19, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Recent inspections show fewer violations than earlier ones, with the latest at three versus five before.

The pattern that stands out is dishwashing and ware washing, which has been cited two times.

By comparison, the average Queens facility scores 75, putting El Ranchero on the weaker side. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 19, 2026

Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Swollen, leaking, rusted or otherwise damaged canned food to be returned to distributor not segregated from intact product and clearly labeled do not use

09A

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

Dishwashing and ware washing: cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.

10G

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

Jun 20, 2025

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

4 critical violations.

View 4 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

Shellfish not from approved source, not or improperly tagged/labeled; tags not retained for 90 days.

03B

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

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

Jan 31, 2025

Cycle Inspection / Reopening Inspection

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

10F

Jan 28, 2025

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

3 critical violations. 2 minor violations.

View 5 violations

02H

Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

06D

Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

04L

Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment

10E

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

08A

Dec 11, 2023

Administrative Miscellaneous / Re-inspection

2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

06C

Food protection certificate (fpc) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

04A

“choking first aid” poster not posted. “alcohol and pregnancy” warning sign not posted. resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted.

20-04

Aug 17, 2023

Pre-permit (Operational) / Initial Inspection

4 critical violations. 2 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Food protection certificate (fpc) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

04A

Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

06D

Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

04L

Tcs food removed from cold holding or prepared from or combined with ingredients at room temperature not cooled by an approved method to 41 °f or below within 4 hours.

02I

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

Show all 6 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Ranchero last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Ranchero on file is from Feb 19, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Ranchero?

Across the inspection record, dishwashing and ware washing has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Ranchero.

How does El Ranchero compare to other restaurants in Queens?

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

Has El Ranchero's inspection record improved over time?

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

What does a medium risk rating mean?

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

How often is El Ranchero inspected?

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

Nearby Restaurants

Las Perlas Salvadoreno Restaurante

Explore More

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