RITA'S CAFE

Inspection summary

RITA'S CAFE has been inspected 4 times by New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) since August 16, 2024. The most recent inspection, on October 2, 2026, recorded 5 infractions.

None of the 4 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 11 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food temperature control and Protecting food from contamination.

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.

• 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 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on October 2, 2026. For example: Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions

• 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 2, 2026. For example: Enough refrigerated storage equipment is not present, properly designed, maintained or operated so that all potentially hazardous foods are cooled properly and stored below 45�F as required.

• 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 30, 2025. For example: Cooked or prepared foods are subject to cross-contamination from raw foods.

• Food safety training and certificationLower risk

  Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

  Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on October 2, 2026. For example: Miscellaneous, Economic Violation, Choking Poster, Training.

• Equipment and utensilsLower risk

  Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

  Recorded once on September 18, 2026. For example: Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and floors not properly drained

About this data

These results come from New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), 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.

• View the official New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) disclosure site
• See all inspected facilities in New York State
• How to read an inspection report