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TASTY COW 88 SZECHUAN CUISINE

249-04 HORACE HARDING EXPRESSWAY, Queens, NY 11362 · Restaurant (Chinese)

Inspection summary

TASTY COW 88 SZECHUAN CUISINE has been inspected 5 times by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) since February 16, 2024. The most recent inspection, on August 26, 2026, found no infractions.

1 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 8 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

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 8 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 2, 2026. For example: 28-06: Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.

  • 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 18, 2025. For example: Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

  • 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 4 separate inspections, most recently on April 2, 2026. For example: Hot TCS food item that has been cooked and cooled is being held for service without first being reheated to 165º F or above within 2 hours.

  • 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 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 2, 2026. 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.

  • 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 on June 2, 2025. 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.

5 inspections

  1. Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    8 infractions

    • 28-06: Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.
      • Not Critical
    • 04K: Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
      • 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
    • 04A: Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
      • Critical
    • 02C: Hot TCS food item that has been cooked and cooled is being held for service without first being reheated to 165º F or above within 2 hours.
      • Critical
    • 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
    • 04H: Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
      • Critical
  3. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    6 infractions

    • 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
    • 04K: Evidence of rats or live rats 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
    • 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
  4. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    10 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
    • 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
    • 04K: Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
      • 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
    • 06A: 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.
      • 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
    • 06F: Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
      • Critical
    • 10G: Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
      • Not Critical
  5. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    2 infractions

    • 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

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