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EL DESPERTAR MARLENE

849 PROSPECT AVENUE, Bronx, NY 10459 · Restaurant (Latin American)

Inspection summary

EL DESPERTAR MARLENE has been inspected 9 times by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) since January 11, 2024. The most recent inspection, on September 23, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.

None of the 9 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 6 inspections with 33 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 13 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on September 23, 2026. For example: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 8 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on September 23, 2026. For example: Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 8 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on June 8, 2026. For example: Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on June 8, 2026. For example: Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 8, 2026. For example: 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.

About this data

These results come from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

9 inspections

  1. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    3 infractions

    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • Not Critical
    • 02B: Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
      • Critical
    • 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
      • Critical
  2. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    12 infractions

    • 02G: 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.
      • Critical
    • 05D: 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.
      • Critical
    • 06D: Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
      • Critical
    • 02B: Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
      • Critical
    • 10B: 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.
      • Not Critical
    • 10G: Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
      • Not Critical
    • 10F: 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.
      • Not Critical
    • 04O: Live animal other than fish in tank or service animal present in facility’s food or non-food area.
      • Critical
    • 04H: Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
      • Critical
    • 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
      • Critical
    • 09C: Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
      • Not Critical
    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • Not Critical
  3. Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 20-01: Allergen or intolerance notice not translated into common language when required
      • Not Critical
    • 20-08: Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information
      • Not Critical
  4. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    10 infractions

    • 05D: 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.
      • Critical
    • 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
      • Critical
    • 04H: Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
      • Critical
    • 10B: 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.
      • Not Critical
    • 10F: 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.
      • Not Critical
    • 09C: Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
      • Not Critical
    • 02B: Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
      • Critical
    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • Not Critical
    • 10G: Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
      • Not Critical
    • 04O: Live animal other than fish in tank or service animal present in facility’s food or non-food area.
      • Critical
  5. Administrative Miscellaneous / Re-inspection

    2 infractions

    • 20-01: Allergen or intolerance notice not translated into common language when required
      • Not Critical
    • 20-08: Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information
      • Not Critical
  6. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 04O: Live animal other than fish in tank or service animal present in facility’s food or non-food area.
      • Critical
    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • Not Critical
    • 02B: Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
      • Critical
    • 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
      • Critical
  7. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    2 infractions

    • 02B: Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
      • Critical
    • 10B: 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.
      • Not Critical
  8. Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 19-10: Failure to display required signage about plastic straw availability
      • Not Critical
    • 19-06: Providing single-use, non-compostable plastic straws to customers without customer request (including providing such straws at a self-serve station)
      • Not Critical
  9. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    11 infractions

    • 10H: 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.
      • Not Critical
    • 02B: Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
      • Critical
    • 04H: Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
      • Critical
    • 09B: Thawing procedure improper.
      • Not Critical
    • 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
      • Critical
    • 10B: 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.
      • Not Critical
    • 06F: Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
      • Critical
    • 10F: 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.
      • Not Critical
    • 06D: Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
      • Critical
    • 09C: Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
      • Not Critical
    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • Not Critical

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