The Papazzio Restaurant and Catering in Bayside, which is a few miles northeast of downtown Queens, has received the first “A” rating on Bell Boulevard. This comes just weeks after the City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene letter grading system went into effect in the Bayside community.
This is a huge feat for any restaurant since the board of health has toughened up on its standards. Papazzio was opened in 1980 and has been happily serving the Queens community ever since. While Papazzio can sit back and relish in their “A” achievement, other restaurants are patiently waiting for a second inspection to bring up their scores.
With the new grading system, restaurants will now receive letter grades from the DOHMN based on food safety in their kitchens during evaluations. And restaurants will be required to post their grade on their front window, door or other outside walls. This means you will know the safety of the food you will be eating before you even enter the building.
The score system is simple. Restaurants who score 0-13 violation points will receive an “A” grade, restaurants that score 14-27 violation points will receive a “B” grade and restaurants that score 28 violation points or more will receive a “C” grade. A “C” grade means that they have failed sanitary inspection, but their violations are not enough to close them down.
Many consumers around the areas of Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Rego Park and nearby communities are excited about the grading system. Now they won’t have to worry about the kitchens where they are eating.
So, when you’re going out for breakfast, lunch or dinner, look for the restaurants grade near the door before you enter.
