Health inspectors cite deli for 'big pile' of feces and other restaurant closures

Nineteen restaurants, markets and stores were closed temporarily by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health between Oct. 6 and Halloween.

The "ick factor" was sky high in the latest Clean Plates roundup with a "big pile of fecal matter" found in the basement of a Pennsport deli. (There was no indication if the poop was human or animal related.)  A rodent gnawed candy bar, a live mouse in a closed container of saltine crackers and a McDonalds with an open sewer line in the women's restroom, also kept the city's health inspectors busy writing citations.

The inspectors visit nearly 1,000 eateries and food retailers every two weeks. Every 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.

A list of eateries that were closed, or are facing court dates, follows:

Family Dollar Store #10200
5701 Walnut St.
7 violations, 2 serious
Visible evidence of rodent contaminated foods including a gnawed candy bar found on the shelf in front of register; mouse feces found on shelves with candy, tortillas, cookies, chips and pet food, on the floors throughout the facility, in the storage room, on boxes of stock and on the shelves behind both registers; severely dented, swollen, distressed canned items found in the retail area; drain flies found in retail area; food was not stored at least six inches above the floor, chip and candy display boxes stored directly on the floors.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, 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 on Oct. 31.

Butcher Block Meats
6155 Woodland Ave.
5 violations, 3 serious
A person with a current food safety certificate was not present; raw meats were stored over cooked foods in the walk-in cooler (raw pork over smoked pork chops), cooked meat should always be stored over raw meats; some labeled food items are missing information; lights above the three-basin sink are not shielded from breakage.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Oct. 26.

Toys R Us
2703 S 3rd. St.
4 violations, 2 serious
The water heater was not operational; the person in charge failed to notify the Department of an imminent health hazard and cease operations; the hot water generation and distribution systems shall be sufficient to meet the peak hot water demands throughout the food facility, which had no hot water; there was no sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the toilet room areas to remind food employees to wash their hands.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected on Oct. 26.

Lopez and Son's Grocery
651 W Lycoming St.
8 violations, 2 serious
A food safety certified person was not present upon arrival for the inspection; a cat was found in the retail area; slicer has an accumulation of food residue on the food contact surfaces and is not being washed, rinsed and sanitized at least every four hours; lights are not provided in the rear storage/kitchen area.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Oct. 23.

Sto's
236 Market St.
22 violations, 4 serious
Mouse droppings found inside of a food item in prep area, inside the refrigeration unit and on top of lids in cold hold unit, on the floor perimeters in basement and kitchen; golf equipment found stored in basement; grease accumulation found on floor perimeters under cooking equipment; the slicer has an accumulation of food residue on the food contact surfaces and is not being washed, rinsed and sanitized at least every four hours; an opener had an accumulation of food residue on the food contact surfaces; several food items including brisket, pork and chicken were not held at required temperatures; beer cases were not elevated at least six inches above the floor.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, 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 Oct. 20.

Pike's Seafood
1940 E Washington Lane
21 violations, 4 serious
Live mouse found in a closed container of saltine crackers; mouse droppings and flies found throughout the facility; heavy grease and dust accumulation found on the exhaust hood filters and exterior surfaces of the cooking equipment; facility does not have a food safety certified person; employees observed donning single use gloves without a prior hand wash; food is not stored at least six inches above the floor in the walk-in cooler; facility lacks an adequate amount of drainboards to accommodate all soiled and cleaned items that may accumulate during hours of operation.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Oct. 19.

Phileo Yogurt
416 South St.
1 violation, 1 serious
No food safety certified person present at time of inspection.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Oct. 18.

Elaine & Paul Deli
1627 S 2nd St.
A big pile of fecal matter was found in the basement area.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, 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 Oct. 17.

Fu Man Lou Chinese Restaurant
5940 Market St.
11 violations, 3 serious
Dead roaches were found in the food prep sink; fresh and old mice droppings were found on the handsink, shelving unit where cooking oils and spices were stored, lower level of food prep table, on the shelf with surveillance equipment, the shelf with bulk containers, the wooden shelving unit near food prep sink, the floor under warewashing sinks, cooking equipment, behind freezers, basement steps and the shelving unit at service counter where snacks were stored; the shrimp was not held at required temperatures; there was a heavy accumulation of grease under the flat grill; grease leaks found at ductwork above basement door; there was no lighting under exhaust hoods or the refrigeration units.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, 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 Oct. 17.

Bi's Restaurant
6515 Elmwood Ave.
19 violations, 7 serious
Rats seen entering holes in walls in basement; frozen foods were not maintained in a frozen state in the basement freezers; torn packages of couscous observed in freezer; uncovered food found frozen to sides and bottom of the freezer; prep sink observed full of buckets and debris; old food residue, dishes and utensils observed in the handwash sink; the facility is preparing and packaging ginger juice without a food safety plan or any means of providing for a reduction of pathogens, or alternatively providing a consumer advisory or warning label on the juice.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, 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 Oct. 17.

Pete's Pizza
1913 N 54Th St.
14 violations, 6 serious
Raw bacon held at room temperature; a live mouse was found during time of inspection; mouse droppings found in front food prep area, along floor perimeter of rear food prep area, inside of food storage containers, on the dough prep table, on the table where deli slicer is located, on deli slicer, along floor perimeter of detached rear food storage/walk-in cooler/freezer; flies found in the prep area; a pizza pan container needs cleaning and sanitizing, food debris buildup.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, 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 Oct. 16.

Noah's Kiddie Campus Academy
2247 N Broad St.
14 violations, 4 serious
Mouse droppings observed on canned goods, in cabinets, the kitchen counter and throughout the facility; a case of recently delivered milk was found on the floor by front door; hot water was not available in the facility; there were spider webs on the floor and walls of the utility room; all light bulbs in the kitchen were missing; containers in the kitchen were used for storing chemicals taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, 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 Oct. 16.

Sorrento's Pizza
646 S 55th St.
19 violations, 7 serious
Mouse droppings found throughout the facility including on the dough prep table, on the dough mixer, under the pizza oven where the stromboli pans were stored, under the counter with the register, on basement storage shelves and on a storage rack in the rear food prep area; papers, a calculator, bug fragments and other items were found in the handwash sink in the front food prep area and was not accessible at all times for employee use; flies found on a pizza in the service area, pizzas were discarded during the inspection; potentially hazardous foods were not held at required temperatures.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, 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 Oct 13.

McDonald's
8901 Frankford Ave.
6 violations, 1 serious
Inoperable toilet rooms; required handwashing facilities are not provided in toilet rooms; rear door in the food facility does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals; wall and floor cleaning needed in walk-in boxes; pipes and utility lines were not properly sealed; water-stained ceiling tiles found in rear of the establishment; wall repair needed in rear of establishment.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Oct. 13.

Donna's Convenient Store
2653 S Mildred St.
10 violations, 5 serious
House and fruit flies were observed around hoagie preparation area; the food safety certified person was not available at time of inspection and the person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of the PA Food Code; an open employee's beverage container was observed in a food preparation area; the facility had not applied for the proper Food Preparing and Serving License which was approved in 2105.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Oct. 13.

Golden Palace
5800 Cedar Ave.
28 violations, 11 serious
Flies and flying insects observed throughout the establishment including a fly found crawling in bowl of pork inside the walk-in cooler; two live roaches observed crawling in bulk container of MSG; a dead fly was found in the deep fryer; dead roaches and mice feces found in a bulk sugar can and dead roaches were found inside the microwave; Small animal feces found on the floor under the handwashing sink; mice feces found on the floors throughout the establishment, on all food preparation tables and shelves, on steam table and steam table shelves, tray where condiments are stored on the wok station, plastic container stored between wall and handwashing sink, on Old Bay seasoning, on Golina cooking cherry, on items on the steam table, red wooden table where flour is stored, in compressor of the cold-holding unit; shrimp found thawing in the warewashing sink; medicines found stored on shelf over the top of the cold-holding unit; food employees were not wearing or wearing ineffective hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard restraints.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, 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 Oct 11.

New World Seafood
4086 Lancaster Ave.
10 violations, 2 serious
Several live and dead roaches found in the food prep area; a live roach found on the bottom of food prep table, dead and live roaches found under food equipment, fryers, steamers and stove; the facility was ordered to remove all unnecessary clutter from front and rear; cleaning needed of all equipment including deep fryers and shelving, due to grease and dust buildup; opened commercially processed ready-to-eat food, located in the deli case and held more than 48 hours, was not marked; single use food containers were not protected.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, 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 on Oct. 11.

Love Snacks – Brazilian Cafe & Catering
7630 Castor Ave.
13 violations, 5 serious
No hot water was available at all hand washing sinks within facility; employee observed washing dishes inside hand sink in basement; adequate sneezeguard protection was not provided for foods in the customer buffet station and some pastries were not stored behind the sneezeguard; food safety person arrived by middle of inspection; mouse feces was found around/between the freezers and on the storage shelves with canned food in the basement; food and beverages were not elevated at least six inches off of the floor in the walk-in and basement storage area.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Oct 10.

McDonald's #02444
2400 Oregon Ave.
15 violations, 8 serious
An open sewage line was found in the female toilet room area, the floor has been dug up and pipes are collapsed, there was a sewage smell present inside facility; the handwash sink in the food preparation area had been removed; employee was observed picking nose and returning to food preparation without washing their hands, employee seen drinking and eating food in the food preparation area, despite repeated warnings employees did not desist from this practice; employee found smoking less than 10 feet from the main entrance door; employees with fingernail polish and/or artificial fingernails seen working with exposed foods; employee in food preparation area was wearing a bracelet; house and fruit flies found throughout the facility.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Oct. 06.

Eateries scheduled for hearing in the Court of Common Pleas on Oct. 26.
Family Dollar Store #6929, 6555 GREENE ST.;  Jonalis Grocery Store Inc., 315 N 52ND ST.
Eateries scheduled for hearing in the Court of Common Pleas on Oct. 24 .
South Street Pizzeria, 1410 SOUTH ST.; Silver Fork, 429 SOUTH ST.; Lopez Food Market Inc.,401 N 54TH ST.; Milan Restaurant, 140 W WYOMING AVE.; Broad Street Diner, 1135 S BROAD ST.;
JD McGillicuddy's Pub, 111 COTTON ST
Eateries scheduled for hearing in the Court of Common Pleas on Oct. 12.
Saba Live Poultry, 162 W LEHIGH AVE UNIT B;
Eateries scheduled for hearing in the Court of Common Pleas on Oct. 10.
Falls Taproom, 3749 MIDVALE AVE.;
Eateries scheduled for hearing in the Court of Common Pleas on Oct. 6.
Family Dollar Store #7350, 4701 W GIRARD AVE.
Eateries scheduled for hearing in the Court of Common Pleas on Dec. 7.
Los Vargas Mini Market, 4171 N FAIRHILL ST.