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PORTAL LATINO

217 SMITH STREET, Brooklyn, NY 11201 · Restaurant (Latin American)

Inspection summary

PORTAL LATINO has been inspected 8 times by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) since November 21, 2022. The most recent inspection, on October 27, 2025, recorded 1 infraction.

None of the 8 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 2 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 12 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on September 5, 2024. For example: 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.

  • 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 5 separate inspections, most recently on October 27, 2025. 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 15, 2024. For example: Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.

  • 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 once on April 4, 2023. For example: 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.

  • 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 once on November 21, 2022. For example: Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.

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.

8 inspections

  1. Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 20-06: Current letter grade or Grade Pending card not posted
      • Not Critical
  2. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 02B: Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
      • Critical
  3. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    6 infractions

    • 04N: 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.
      • 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
    • 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
    • 10D: Mechanical or natural ventilation not provided, inadequate, improperly installed, in disrepair or fails to prevent and control excessive build-up of grease, heat, steam condensation, vapors, odors, smoke or fumes.
      • Not Critical
  4. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 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
    • 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
      • Critical
    • 06F: Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
      • 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
    • 09B: Thawing procedure improper.
      • Not 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
  5. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    3 infractions

    • 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
      • 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. Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 20-06: Current letter grade or "Grade Pending" card not posted.
      • Not Critical
  7. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • Not Critical
    • 06C: 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.
      • Critical
    • 04N: 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.
      • Critical
    • 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
      • Critical
    • 02B: Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
      • Critical
  8. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    8 infractions

    • 04N: 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.
      • Critical
    • 06F: Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
      • Critical
    • 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
      • Critical
    • 02B: Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
      • Critical
    • 06D: Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
      • 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
    • 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

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