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Restaurant · Nassau County, NY

Island Empanada

2142 Merrick Avenue

Last inspected Feb 2, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Critical violations found

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

The full inspection history

4 inspections

Inspection

Feb 2, 2026

Critical violations found

7 recorded violations

minorCode 16Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Miscellaneous, Economic Violation, Choking Poster, Training.

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 12AWater, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Hot, cold running water not provided, pressure inadequate

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 11DCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean

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 4AChemicals

Official wording

Toxic chemicals are improperly labeled, stored or used so that contamination of food can occur.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
criticalCode 6BFood temperature

Official wording

Enough hot holding equipment is not present, properly designed, maintained and operated to keep hot foods above 140�F.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode 12EHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
minorCode 14BPests

Official wording

Effective measures not used to control entrance (rodent-, insect-proof contruction). Harborage areas available for rodents, insects and other vermin

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from New York State Department of Health, Feb 2, 2026 · Original Source

Re-Inspection

Feb 25, 2025

No violations found

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from New York State Department of Health, Feb 25, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Feb 20, 2025

Critical violations found

3 recorded violations

minorCode 12CWater, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and floors not properly drained

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
criticalCode 4AChemicals

Official wording

Toxic chemicals are improperly labeled, stored or used so that contamination of food can occur.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
minorCode 14CPests

Official wording

Pesticide application not supervised by a certified applicator

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from New York State Department of Health, Feb 20, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

May 16, 2024

Critical violations found

5 recorded violations

minorCode 12EHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
criticalCode 2EFood temperature

Official wording

Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate potentially hazardous food temperatures during cooking, cooling, reheating and holding.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
criticalCode 4AChemicals

Official wording

Toxic chemicals are improperly labeled, stored or used so that contamination of food can occur.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
minorCode 13APests

Official wording

Adequate, leakproof, non-absorbent, vermin-proof, covered containers not provided where needed

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects
minorCode 16Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Miscellaneous, Economic Violation, Choking Poster, Training.

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

Official record from New York State Department of Health, May 16, 2024 · Original Source

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