GOOD INFORMATION. BETTER PEACE OF MIND.Español · Always free. No signup required.
Restaurant
Health Inspections.org

Mexican · New York City, NY

El Ranchero

160-20 46 Avenue

Last inspected Feb 19, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

A Grade

Get the next inspection, free.

We'll email you when El Ranchero has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.

No account needed. Unsubscribe at any time.

Own this restaurant? Add an inspection badge to your website · Inspection prep checklist

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

The full inspection history

6 inspections

Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

Feb 19, 2026

A Grade

Official score: 13 · Understand this area’s scale

5 recorded violations

minorCode 10GCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.

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
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
criticalCode 09AFood source and labeling

Official wording

Swollen, leaking, rusted or otherwise damaged canned food to be returned to distributor not segregated from intact product and clearly labeled DO NOT USE

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
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
minorCode 08CPests

Official wording

Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.

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 NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Feb 19, 2026 · Original Source

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

Jun 20, 2025

Violations cited

Official score: 33 · Understand this area’s scale

4 recorded violations

criticalCode 02GFood temperature

Official wording

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.

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 03BFood source and labeling

Official wording

Shellfish not from approved source, not or improperly tagged/labeled; tags not retained for 90 days.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
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
criticalCode 02HFood temperature

Official wording

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.

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

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Jun 20, 2025 · Original Source

Cycle Inspection / Reopening Inspection

Jan 31, 2025

Grade pending

Official score: 2 · Understand this area’s scale

1 recorded violation

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

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Jan 31, 2025 · Original Source

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

Jan 28, 2025

Closed by health department

Official score: 47 · Understand this area’s scale

The health department recorded a closure at this inspection.

5 recorded violations

criticalCode 04LPests

Official wording

Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

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
criticalCode 06DContamination

Official wording

Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

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
minorCode 10EFood temperature

Official wording

Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment

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 08APests

Official wording

Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

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
criticalCode 02HFood temperature

Official wording

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.

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

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Jan 28, 2025 · Original Source

Administrative Miscellaneous / Re-inspection

Dec 11, 2023

Violations cited

1 recorded violation

minorCode 20-04Equipment and utensils

Official wording

“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted.

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

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Dec 11, 2023 · Original Source

Pre-permit (Operational) / Re-inspection

Dec 11, 2023

B Grade

Official score: 18 · Understand this area’s scale

2 recorded violations

criticalCode 04APermits, training, and postings

Official wording

Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

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
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, Dec 11, 2023 · Original Source

More restaurants nearby

Violations cited

Las Perlas Salvadoreno Restaurante

Queens · New York City, NY·Latin American

Apr 22, 20263 recorded violations
Violations cited

I Am Kimchi

Queens · New York City, NY·Korean

Jul 8, 20267 recorded violations
A Grade

Rahonbgu Malatang

Queens · New York City, NY·Korean

Apr 28, 20264 recorded violations
A Grade

New Dragon Pan

Queens · New York City, NY·Chinese

Dec 18, 20252 recorded violations