Latin American · New York City, NY

Empanadas Cafe

56-27 Van Doren Street

Last inspected Oct 6, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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A Grade

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Repeat ProblemsSerious findings or closures appear in two or more of the last three inspections. Review the dated records below.

Quick Answers

When was Empanadas Cafe last inspected?: The most recent inspection on record was on Oct 6, 2026. The result listed by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene was “Grade A” (official score 7).
Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?: Yes: 2 violations recorded, including 1 marked critical. Each one is listed below with the official wording.
How many inspections are on record?: 4 inspections on record, from May 1, 2024 to Oct 6, 2026.
Has Empanadas Cafe ever been closed by the health department?: No closure appears in the 4 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated May 1, 2024.

The Full Inspection History

4 inspections

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

Oct 6, 2026

A Grade

Official score: 7 · Understand This Area’s Scale

2 recorded violations

minorCode 10FCleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

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.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

criticalCode 06BEmployee health and hygiene

Official Wording

Tobacco or electronic cigarette use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area.

In Plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Oct 6, 2026 · Original Source

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

Sep 26, 2025

A Grade

Official score: 5 · Understand This Area’s Scale

1 recorded violation

criticalCode 06CContamination

Official Wording

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.

In Plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Sep 26, 2025 · Original Source

Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection

Sep 26, 2025

Violations cited

4 recorded violations

minorCode 19-06Equipment and utensils

Official Wording

Providing single-use, non-compostable plastic straws to customers without customer request (including providing such straws at a self-serve station)

In Plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

minorCode 20-08Employee health and hygiene

Official Wording

Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information

In Plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues

minorCode 19-10Permits, training, and postings

Official Wording

Failure to display required signage about plastic straw availability

In Plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

minorCode 20-01Other

Official Wording

Allergen or intolerance notice not translated into common language when required

In Plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Sep 26, 2025 · Original Source

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

May 1, 2024

A Grade

Official score: 4 · Understand This Area’s Scale

2 recorded violations

minorCode 10BWater, plumbing, and sewage

Official Wording

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.

In Plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

minorCode 10FCleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, May 1, 2024 · Original Source