A barrel of moldy pickles and a freshly dead mouse close Philadelphia eateries

A barrel of moldy pickles, improperly stored Chicken Tikka and unapproved whole roasted pigs and ducks caught the eye of Philadelphia Department of Health inspectors in this edition of Clean Plates.

The inspectors had to dodge a live German Cockroach in a cold holding unit, greasy cardboard on the floors, stagnant puddles of water, and open boxes of rodent bait. Along the way they found cockroach fecal matter on walls and ceilings, dirty pots in sinks, expired baby food on shelves and mouse droppings inside a bread box.

From May 1 to May 15, inspectors closed at least 20 facilities for various violations.

Inspectors visit nearly 1,000 eateries and food retailers every two weeks. Each inspection is generally regarded as a snapshot in time, and not necessarily a reflection of day-to-day conditions. Most violations were corrected immediately in the presence of an inspector.

To look up reports on a specific Philadelphia restaurant, or a Montgomery, Bucks, or Gloucester County eatery, visit philly.com/cleanplates.

A list of eateries that were closed follows:

2800 Willits Rd.

13 violations, 6 serious

A barrel of moldy pickles was found in the retail area, expired milk and baby food were offered for sale; the water heater was shut off due to a severe leak; employees hands could not be properly washed and dishes could not be washed and sanitized due to the lack of hot water; opened packages of deli meats were not labeled with opening dates; a bottle of bleach was found stored on a shelf next to food and food containers; the prep area hand sink was blocked by cardboard boxes; unfinished wood shelves were in the restroom and unfinished wood support structures were found in the food prep area; plastic crates were used for elevation; there was a residential microwave found; non food grade plastic bags were used to store rolls; there was inadequate lighting in the toilet room; the restroom exhaust fan was inoperable.

The establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected May 14.

2747 S 10th St.

19 violations, 6 serious

The person in charge denied access to the basement for the inspection; the establishment needed to renew its food prep license; there was a dead mouse in the food preparation area; mouse droppings were found throughout the facility including on the sandwich counter, inside the bread box, cardboard potato chip holders, and on shelves; mold was on the interior of retail area refrigeration units; there was loose rodenticide in the storage area; coffee pots were not clean to sight and touch; the slicer had an accumulation of food residue on the food contact surfaces and was not being washed, rinsed and sanitized at least every four hours; deli meats and cheeses, located in the display case, and held more than 48 hours, was not marked with the date they were opened; there was unwrapped food inside the display case; paper towels were not available at the handwash sink in the food preparation area and restroom; employees' open beverage containers were stored on the top shelf in a refrigeration unit; there were missing and damaged floor tiles in the retail and food preparation area; there were holes in retail area walls; utility line penetrations in the retail area were not sealed; there was unnecessary clutter in the retail and food preparation area preventing proper cleaning.

The establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected May 13.

432 Georgiana Dr.

5 violations, 5 serious

Hot water was not present at time of initial visit to the truck; a food safety certified person was not present; an employee’s open beverage container was found in a food preparation area; the hand wash sink was not supplied with all necessary items including paper towels or other approved hand drying device and a sign to remind employees to wash hands; Chicken Tikka in the refrigerator was not stored at the required temperature.

The establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected May 11.

236 South St.

19 violations, 6 serious

A live German Cockroach was in a cold holding unit, old mouse droppings were on a shelf where flour and other dry ingredients were stored and mouse droppings were found on food preparation shelving, on a clean dish and near the second water heater; cockroaches were found collecting around the water heater next to were pots and pans are stored, between two tables, and in a cold holding unit; there was water accumulation by the handsink in the kitchen; rice and other food debris was found on the floor; food debris was under and around equipment and shelving; and employee was seen washing their hands in the food preparation sink where dirty pots were stored and washed their hands without soap and only for five seconds; the handsink at the bar and kitchen did not have soap or paper towels; the can opener had an accumulation of food residue on the food contact surfaces; cheese was not held at the required temperature; working bulk food ingredient storage containers were not labeled with the common name of the food; there was uncovered food items in the kitchen reach-in refrigerator; raw chicken was stored above beef; there were two domestic reach-in freezers that both had an accumulation of ice; there were rusty shelves in a domestic freezer; cellphones were being stored on a shelf with spices; the person in charge of premises had not posted the appropriate warning signs regarding the dangers of consuming alcoholic beverages during pregnancy.

The establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected May 10.

1919 E Passyunk Ave.

19 violations, 7 serious

Mouse droppings were found in the food preparation, wait staff, and storage areas; the food safety certified individual arrived late; paper towels were not available at the handwash sink in the rear bar area; there was uncovered food in the walk-in cooler, uncovered ice observed at the bar, and raw chicken stored above ready-to-eat foods in a food prep area cold hold unit; the food prep sink was not clean to sight and touch; there were several foods, including chicken wings, in a food preparation area cold hold unit that were not held at the required temperature; the front and rear doors of the facility were open; there was a defective cold hold unit in the food preparation area, the refrigeration unit could not maintain the required temperature; there was a domestic microwave in the wait staff area, the cold-holding unit refrigerator door did not close tightly, the convection oven was used for storage, a domestic refrigeration unit was found in the wait station, the refrigeration unit was used for storage; there were missing and damaged ceiling tiles, wall tiles, and floor tiles observed throughout the facility; the utility lines throughout the facility were not sealed; there were holes in floors,walls, and ceiling throughout the facility; the basement steps were not smooth and easily cleanable; there was unnecessary clutter and unused equipment observed in the storage areas.

The establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected May 10.

1824 Callowhill St.

16 violations, 7 serious

Mouse droppings and roaches were found in the basement storage area; dead roaches and soiled glue boards were on the basement floor; there was a leak from the drainpipe of the wash basin of the warewashing sink; an uncovered cheese, can of ketchup, and vegetable balls were in the prep unit refrigerator and walk-in cooler; there was no chemical sanitizer being used on equipment and utensils after washing and rinsing them, an employee was washing equipment and utensils in the grinder sink; food debris was found on the inside of the handwashing sink in the food prep area; there was potentially hazardous ready-to-eat foods including vegetable balls and samosas, prepared in the food facility, located in the walk-in, that were not consistently date marked; foods were not held at proper temperatures; the food safety certified person arrived during the inspection; food containers that are reused for working bulk food ingredient storage containers were not labeled with the common name of the food of the current food ingredient; there was debris found along the floor perimeters under equipment and shelving in the food prep area.

The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. The establishment could not operate until the required fee is paid and the establishment is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected May 10.

1101 S 53rd St.

19 violations, 8 serious

Mouse droppings and other debris observed on floor perimeters throughout the facility; there was open poison found behind the refrigeration unit in prep area; an unsealed utility pipe penetration was found under the warewash sink; there was a hole above warewash sink in prep area; the food facility lacks sanitizer test strips to monitor sanitizer concentration; there was static dust accumulation on vent in refrigeration unit, the ceiling fans and on the ventilation fan covers; the outer opening in the food facility did not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals; the front door was propped open without fly proof screen; gaps also found on the rear door; moist wiping cloths were lying on warewash and not stored in sanitizing solution.

The establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected May 10.

Best Foods Philly Inc.

9813 Bustleton Ave.

11 violations, 5 serious

A general cleaning was needed in the prep and basement areas, to remove all dirt, mice droppings and grease accumulation on all equipment including the freezer in the prep area; the warewash sink needed to be wiped down and cleaned to eliminate all soil and grease accumulation; a bowl potentially hazardous ready-to-eat cooked meat, prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the walk-in cooler, was not date marked; a person in charge was not present at the food facility; the paper towel dispenser at the handwash sink in the prep area was empty; the cutting boards had deep scratches and scoring that did not allowing for effective cleaning and sanitizing; there was an uncovered bowl of meat in the table top refrigerator; brooms were lying on the floors in the basement area and not hanged or properly stored to prevent vermin harborage.

The establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected May 8.

5141 Haverford Ave.

9 violations, 2 serious

There was visible evidence of rodent contaminated foods in the retail area; dust, debris, and fresh and old mouse droppings were on the retail shelving area; chemicals were stored above or on the same shelf with food, equipment, and/or single service articles; sponges in the warewashing sink were being used to clean food contact surfaces; the chest freezers in the food prep, retail and toilet room areas did not meet sanitization standards; there was an unapproved blender, microwave over, and toaster in establishment; cardboard was used to line plastic crates that were being used as storage for produce; cardboard boxes were being used for food storage; the facility lacked sanitizer test strips to monitor sanitizer concentrations.

The establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected May 9.

1601 N 15th St. Ste 5

7 violations, 2 serious

The food safety certified person was not present; a box of lettuce was not stored at least six inches above the floor in the walk-in cooler; a grain wheat sub was uncovered in the walk-in freezer; the three-compartment warewash sink was not properly setup for sanitization of utensils; there was food residue from lettuce inside the rinse bay of the three-compartment sink; there was debris along undershelving and floor perimeters of the walk-in cooler; there was an accumulation of ice on the walk-in freezer floor perimeter and the fan cover; brooms and dustpans were not elevated; food debris was on floor the perimeter of food prep area; there was static dust accumulation on ceiling and wall air conditioning and heating ventilation covers in rear food storage area.

The establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected May 8.

2306 N 29th St.

5 violations, 1 serious

Greasy cardboard was used as a floor lining; food debris was on the cardboard lining on the floor; there was grease and debris accumulation underneath the griddle; a person in charge was not present at the food facility; the temperature measuring devices for ensuring proper temperatures of food were not available or readily accessible.

The establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected May 7.

3734 Germantown Ave.

16 violations, 6 serious

Hot water not available at handwash sink in the rear food prep area; there was a heavy accumulation of debris and spills observed in the walk-in cooler creating foul odor; there were severely dented, swollen, distressed canned items including peaches in basement prep area; the paper towel dispensers at the handwash sinks in the food prep and rear food prep areas were empty; there was no food safety certified person present during the inspection; the handwash sink in the food prep area was blocked by wiping cloths and not accessible at all times for employee use; equipment including a domestic style crock pot and food processor did not meet sanitization standards; the reach-in freezer in the rear food prep area was not operational; raw salmon was stored above ready-to-eat foods in the refrigeration unit in the rear food prep area; potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food, prepared in the food facility, located in the refrigeration units and walk-in cooler, were not individually date marked; there was visible physical evidence of mouse droppings in the rear food prep and basement areas; mop and brooms were stored on floor and not elevated on a utility rack; there was dirt, debris and mouse droppings along floor perimeters in the rear prep and basement areas; dirt and food debris accumulation was found along floor in the food prep area, especially behind and under equipment

The establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected May 7.

6003 Lansdowne Ave.

12 violations, 5 serious

The food safety certified person was not present at the start of the inspection; the handwash sink in the food preparation area was blocked by plastic bottles and not accessible at all times for employee use; uncovered food items were in the refrigerator in and reach-in freezer in rear area; a common container without a handle was being used as a rice scoop in the the hot hold unit; there was no food preparation sink; there were an unapproved microwave, refrigerator, and reach-in freezers in the rear area; static dust accumulation was found on the vent in the toilet room area; a broom, dustpans and a mop were not hung up; oil and food debris were on the floors under and between equipment throughout the facility; lights in the food preparation area were not shielded from breakage.

The establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected May 7.

1248 S 10th St.

No violations

At least one individual with valid City of Philadelphia Food Establishment Personnel Food Safety Certificate must be present at the facility during all hours of operation; a food safety certified individual arrived late.

The establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected May 7.

5141 Haverford Ave.

10 violations, 3 serious

A food employee did not follow proper handwashing procedure and use soap and warm water; the handwash sink in the food prep area was blocked by bag of ice and not accessible at all times for employee use; inadequate sanitizer provided in warewashing area; chest freezers in the food prep, retail and toilet room areas do not meet sanitization standards; and unapproved blender, microwave over, and toaster were found; cardboard lined plastic crates were being used as storage for produce in the retail area; there was dust, dirt, and debris along floor perimeters, under and between equipment in the retail area; there were excessive boxes observed stored on floor; some cracked flooring tiles were in the retail area and base coving was missing or non-existent throughout establishment.

The establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected May 6.

1636 Wolf St

11 violations, 3 serious

Mouse droppings were found in the food preparation area cabinet; hot water was not available in the facility; the food safety certified individual was not present during the inspection; a three basin sink was not available for the proper sanitization of food equipment and multi-use utensils; there was no backflow prevention device observed on the main water line; dirt, debris, and unused equipment was found in the basement; there were two trash cans without lids in the outdoor trash area; alteration or construction began prior to plan submission and approval.

The establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected May 6.

200 S Broad St.

9 violations, 4 serious

Dead cockroaches and cockroach fecal matter was on walls and ceilings, in light fixtures, between ceiling tiles, and a piece of plywood was observed with a plastic bag that had cockroaches and cockroach fecal matter in it; a person in charge was not present at the food facility during all hours of operation; the slicer had an accumulation of food residue on the food contact surfaces and was not being washed, rinsed and sanitized at least every four hours; shelving, storage bins and interior of registration units soiled with food devices, dirt and grime; cheeses and several deli meats in the display case were not held at the proper temperature; potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food including deli meats and cheeses, prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the refrigerators, were not date marked; there was food debris on walls and ceilings and under equipment such as bread slicer; there was a dusty ventilation unit in the food preparation area; puddles of water were in front of the refrigerator.

The establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected May 6.

186 E Evergreen Ave. Unit B.

Alteration or construction began prior to plan submission and approval, the new establishment constructed and used as smoothie bar that was not licensed.

The establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected May 3.

6000 N Broad St.

9 violations, 1 serious

Mouse feces, trash, food and other debris observed on floor surfaces of the rear storage area; a freshly dead mouse was found on the floor under front snack retail area; food debris, mouse feces and ripped chip bag debris were on the lower shelf in front snack retail area; doors in the food facility did not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals; there were unapproved foil liners in the bottom of reach-in unit; there were plastic crates in use for elevation; there was ice build-up in the deep freezer; food is not stored at least six inches above the floor; water stained ceiling tiles were in the retail area.

The establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected May 2.

1035 S 8th St.

8 violations, 2 serious

Roasted whole pig and ducks, that were not approved, were in the walk-in cooler; there was physical evidence of rodent activity found throughout the facility including mouse droppings in the food preparation areas, on shelving with food, on floor perimeters upstairs and downstairs, and on the water heater; there was no handwash sink available in the semi-outdoor food preparation area which was also not approved for food preparation; the semi-outdoor smoker does not have an approved exhaust hood; a food employee was observed bagging bread items with their bare hands; scoops inside sacks of bulk sugar were not clean; there was a condensation leak in the walk-in cooler; the person in control of premises had not posted "No Smoking" signs; there was grease accumulation on exhaust hoods, walls, floors, and equipment in the food preparation area; the floors, walls, and ceilings in the semi-outdoor food preparation room with the smoker were not sealed or easily cleanable.

The establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected May 1.