El Rey
Last inspected: Dec 11, 2025
95
Score
The health department has logged seven inspections at El Rey, the earliest from 2023. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 11, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
The most recent inspection cleaned up several issues, finishing with four violations after five on the prior visit.
Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
Compared to the broader Queens restaurant scene, where the average is 75, this is a stronger showing. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 11, 2025
Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Current letter grade or grade pending card not posted
20-06
95
Oct 3, 2025
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
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
Hot tcs food item not held at or above 140 °f.
02B
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
61
Aug 13, 2025
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
5 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
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
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
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
Hot tcs food item not held at or above 140 °f.
02B
Properly scaled and calibrated thermometer or thermocouple not provided or not readily accessible in food preparation and hot/cold holding areas to measure temperatures of tcs foods during cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding.
04J
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
45
Dec 17, 2024
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
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
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
78
Jul 11, 2024
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
6 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 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
Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
06E
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
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
04L
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
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
37
Jul 6, 2023
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
2 critical violations. 3 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
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
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
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
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
64
Apr 18, 2023
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
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
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Rey last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Rey on file is from Dec 11, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Rey?
Across the inspection record, hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Rey.
How does El Rey compare to other restaurants in Queens?
El Rey most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Queens average of 75.
Has El Rey's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Rey have turned up fewer violations than earlier ones, with the latest finding around four violations compared to about five previously.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Rey means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is El Rey inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Rey is inspected around three times per year on average.
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