Manhattan, NY - Health inspectors documented violations at EMPANADAS MONUMENTAL during a routine inspection conducted on 11/22/2024.
Located at 3477 BROADWAY in the Morningside Heights area, the establishment serves the local community. The Morningside Heights neighborhood maintains numerous food service establishments that undergo regular health monitoring.
The inspection identified 3 distinct violations requiring correction. Health inspectors document such issues to ensure establishments take corrective action promptly.
The first violation concerned cleaning procedures. Inspectors documented: 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.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Biofilms can form on inadequately cleaned surfaces, protecting bacteria from sanitizers.
The second violation related to food temperatures. Inspectors documented: Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment. The FDA Food Code requires cold foods to be held at 41°F or below and hot foods at 135°F or above to prevent bacterial growth in the "danger zone." For more information, see FDA guidelines on temperature control. Improper temperature control can lead to bacterial growth including Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria.
The third violation concerned thermal management. Inspectors documented: 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.. The FDA Food Code requires cold foods to be held at 41°F or below and hot foods at 135°F or above to prevent bacterial growth in the "danger zone." For more information, see FDA guidelines on temperature control. The CDC reports that temperature abuse is a factor in many foodborne illness outbreaks.
The correction of health violations is monitored through follow-up inspections and documentation requirements. Establishments must demonstrate that they have addressed the root causes of violations, not just the immediate symptoms.
This inspection data is provided by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The establishment had violations identified during the 11/22/2024 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the New York City Health Code. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Local Health Department
The establishment was cited for health code violations during the inspection. See the full article for detailed violation information.
Biofilms can form on inadequately cleaned surfaces, protecting bacteria from sanitizers. Improper temperature control can lead to bacterial growth including Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. The CDC reports that temperature abuse is a factor in many foodborne illness outbreaks.
This inspection data is sourced directly from New York State Department of Health. For the most current information, please visit the official health department website.
Federal Guidelines: Our reporting follows standards established by the FDA Food Code, CDC Food Safety Guidelines, and USDA Food Safety Standards.
📖 Food Safety Codes: Reference the specific regulations that govern this establishment: NYC Food Code (Article 81), FDA Food Code 2022
⚠️ Important Note: Restaurant conditions can change rapidly. This inspection represents a snapshot in time and may not reflect current conditions. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking recent reviews or contacting the establishment directly.
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