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EL VIEJO GRAN CAFE

498 EAST 138 STREET, Bronx, NY 10454 · Restaurant (Spanish)

Inspection summary

EL VIEJO GRAN CAFE has been inspected 6 times by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) since March 11, 2024. The most recent inspection, on October 6, 2026, recorded 7 infractions.

None of the 6 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 7 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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 10 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on October 6, 2026. For example: Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 6, 2026. For example: 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.

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 6, 2026. For example: Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

  • Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk

    Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 6, 2026. For example: Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 14, 2025. For example: Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

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.

6 inspections

  1. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
      • Critical
    • 06D: Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
      • 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
    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • Not Critical
    • 08C: Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
      • Not Critical
    • 02H: 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.
      • Critical
    • 09C: Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
      • Not Critical
  2. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    3 infractions

    • 08C: Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
      • 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
    • 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
  3. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 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
    • 02H: 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.
      • Critical
    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • Not Critical
  4. Cycle Inspection / Reopening Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 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
  5. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    8 infractions

    • 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
    • 05F: Insufficient or no hot holding, cold storage or cold holding equipment provided to maintain Time/Temperature Control for Safety Foods (TCS) at required temperatures
      • Critical
    • 04M: Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
      • Critical
    • 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
    • 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
    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • 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
  6. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 08C: Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
      • 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
    • 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
    • 04M: Live roaches 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

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