Elsa Restaurant La Reina Del Chicharron

1249 St Nicholas Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10032

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: May 4, 2026

Score

Medium Risk NYC Grade: Pending

Elsa Restaurant La Reina Del Chicharron has been inspected five times since 2022. The most recent visit was on May 4, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.

The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around three violations, down from roughly five violations earlier in the record.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F”, showing up three times.

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

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

May 4, 2026

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 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

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

02B

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

09C

Dec 9, 2024

Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

2 critical violations.

View 2 violations

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

02B

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

Oct 24, 2024

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

3 critical violations. 5 minor violations.

View 8 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

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

04L

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

02B

Contract with a pest management professional not in place. record of extermination activities not kept on premises.

28-06

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

09C

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

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

08A

Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information

20-08

May 11, 2023

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

06C

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

Mar 8, 2022

Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.

04L

Facility not vermin proof. harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.

08A

Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. unacceptable material used. non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained and/or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

10F

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Elsa Restaurant La Reina Del Chicharron last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Elsa Restaurant La Reina Del Chicharron on file is from May 4, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Elsa Restaurant La Reina Del Chicharron?

Across the inspection record, “hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Elsa Restaurant La Reina Del Chicharron.

How does Elsa Restaurant La Reina Del Chicharron compare to other restaurants in Manhattan?

Elsa Restaurant La Reina Del Chicharron most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Manhattan average of 77.

Has Elsa Restaurant La Reina Del Chicharron's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Elsa Restaurant La Reina Del Chicharron have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Elsa Restaurant La Reina Del Chicharron 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 Elsa Restaurant La Reina Del Chicharron inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Elsa Restaurant La Reina Del Chicharron is inspected roughly once per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

1261 Saint Nicholas Avenue

Score: 74 — Medium Risk

Wimpy's Restaurant

1232 St Nicholas Avenue

Score: 82 — Low Risk

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