Empanada Mama

765 9 Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10019

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: May 17, 2025

100

Score

Low Risk

Inspectors have visited Empanada Mama five times, with records going back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on May 17, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.

The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around four violations to closer to zero violations per visit over the last few inspections.

“Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.

Restaurants in Manhattan average 77, so Empanada Mama is doing better than most peers. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

May 17, 2025

Inter-Agency Task Force / Initial Inspection

No violations found.

100

Jan 27, 2025

Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

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

06F

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

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

Oct 15, 2024

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

5 critical violations. 1 minor violation.

View 6 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

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

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

06F

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

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

May 25, 2023

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 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

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

08A

10B

May 27, 2022

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal product temperature is reduced from 140º f to 70º f or less within 2 hours, and from 70º f to 41º f or less within 4 additional hours.

02H

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

Food contact surface not properly maintained.

09C

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Empanada Mama last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Empanada Mama on file is from May 17, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Empanada Mama?

Across the inspection record, “wiping cloths not stored clean and dry” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Empanada Mama.

How does Empanada Mama compare to other restaurants in Manhattan?

Empanada Mama most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Manhattan average of 77.

Has Empanada Mama's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Empanada Mama have averaged around zero violations per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Empanada Mama 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 Empanada Mama inspected?

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

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 74 — Medium Risk

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