Cooked?
Mela Pica Pollo
- gradeGrade pending
- inspection score49 pts
- critical violations5
- last inspectedMay 6, 2026
- address1562 Saint Nicholas Avenue, Manhattan 10040
- cuisineSpanish
- phone9173836806
Is Mela Pica Pollo clean?
New York currently lists Mela Pica Pollo as grade pending, following an inspection on May 6, 2026 that scored 49 points. The city has not posted a letter yet, and it will not until a re-inspection settles it.
What did inspectors find at Mela Pica Pollo?
These are the violations recorded at the most recent inspection on May 6, 2026, in plain English, with the city's own wording underneath.
- 🛠️surfaces / setup not up to codeNon-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.
- 🍽️dishwashing setup offSingle service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.
- 🚰handwashing sink issuescriticalNo hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device.
- 📋no certified food supervisor on dutycriticalFood Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
- 🧽surfaces not properly sanitizedcriticalFood contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
- ⚠️“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.“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.
- 🧫food contact surfaces dirtyDesign, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
- ⚠️Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating informationFailure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information
- 🌡️fridge is giving… room tempcriticalCold 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.
- 🍲hot food sitting too coolcriticalHot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
When was Mela Pica Pollo last inspected?
Mela Pica Pollo has 2 inspections on record going back to August 15, 2024, averaging 28 points.
| date | result | score |
|---|---|---|
| May 6, 2026 | no grade issued ⏳ | 49 pts |
| August 15, 2024 | no grade issued ⏳ | 7 pts |
Mela Pica Pollo vs Washington Heights North
Washington Heights North runs 66% clean across 161 tracked restaurants — 92 clean, 10 mid, 37 cooked.
Against the 161 spots Cooked tracks in Washington Heights North, this one comes out cleaner than 0% of them.
Other spots in Washington Heights North
-
A
D' La Para Pica Pollo
-
A
Paleteria La Michoacanita
-
B
Anita's Cuisine
-
A
Kennedy Chicken & Grill
-
?
Yulianna's Tavern
-
C
El Cibao Restaurant
See every restaurant inspection in Washington Heights North →
How New York grades restaurants
New York City health inspectors score violations in points, and lower is better: 0–13 points earns an A, 14–27 a B, and 28 or more a C. Every restaurant is inspected at least once a year, and the letter has to be posted in the window. A restaurant that scores 14 or more on the first inspection of a cycle does not get a letter right away — it stays “Grade Pending” until a re-inspection settles it, which is why some spots here show an hourglass instead of a letter. Cooked only ever shows a letter the city actually posted; we never infer one from a score.
Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) via NYC Open Data. Cooked refreshes this data daily — this listing's most recent inspection is dated May 6, 2026. Inspection results describe one moment in a kitchen's life, not a permanent verdict.