Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Fly pupae on soda gun, live mice in glue traps cited at Philly eateries

Twenty four restaurants, markets and stores were closed temporarily by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

Clean Plates
Clean PlatesRead moreStaff

Twenty four restaurants, markets and stores were closed temporarily by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15.

Inspectors were busy in the last two weeks citing food establishments for a myriad of offenses. It's fall and while leaves are dropping from trees, finding them on cheese is never a good thing. The only thing worse, though, is finding mouse droppings in the deep fryer, live mice in glue traps or fly pupae on the nozzle of a bar's soda gun.

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:

A Taste of Olive
8505 Germantown Ave.
11 violations, 3 serious
Mouse droppings and fly activity found throughout the facility; loose rodent bait found along the floor perimeters in the retail and warewashing/rear storage areas; bait not in a tamper resistant box; interior surfaces of microwave oven had food debris, not cleaned at least every 24 hours by using the manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedures; devices for ensuring proper temperatures of equipment are not available or readily accessible in the refrigerator; food items are not stored at least six inches above the floor in the rear storage/warewashing area; brooms, mops, and dustpans were stored directly on the floor and not elevated on a utility rack.
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 Nov. 14.

Best Foods Philly Inc.
9813 Bustleton Ave.
10 violations, 5 serious
A live mouse was found on a glue board in basement under shelving; mouse feces found on the food storage containers along walls and corners of walk-in unit, in the basement along walls and corners mixed in with debris, also inside storage closet; dead roaches on flooring of basement areas and on glue boards; chemical sanitizer was not being used on equipment and utensils after washing and rinsing them, and prior to use; the person-in-charge did not properly demonstrate wash, rinse, and sanitize procedures when asked by Sanitarian at time of inspection; food was 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 Nov. 14.

Pizza & Steak Master LLC
6627 Chew Ave.
1 violation, 1 serious
Food safety certified person was not present at the facility; staff observed prepping food.
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 Nov. 14.

Redzaj, Marie/Mountains Pizza&Grill/V05157
1000 W Montgomery Ave.
22 violaitons, 7 serious
Half cooked bacon in the food preparation area was held at an improper temperature; the slicer had an accumulation of residue on the food contact surfaces and was not being washed, rinsed and sanitized at least every four hours; griddle scraper had grease accumulation and black residue; grease accumulation found on the fryer basket; dirty knives and bins observed in the food preparation area; food debris and grease accumulation found on the floor between equipment; one of the refrigerators did not work; cold water was not available at handwash sink; the food safety certified person did not have the knowledge of foodborne illnesses that need to be reported to the Health Department; food employees were not wearing hair restraints, such as nets, hats.
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 Nov. 14.

Hijop Food and Meat Market
5821 Germantown Ave.
15 violations, 6 serious
Water ice observed uncovered in chest freezer; mouse droppings and live roaches found in the retail and food prep areas; bags of cereal and pet food were contaminated by rodents; dead roaches found inside the meat display case; stagnant water observed inside the sandwich prep unit; the food facility does not have a handwash sink conveniently located near the water ice service area and in the rear food prep area; alterations or construction began prior to plan submission and approval; holes and gaps in the floors throughout the facility.
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 Nov. 15.

Train Station Food
5570 Market St.
1 violation, 1 serious
No food safety certified person available at establishment.
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 Nov. 15.

Lila Super Corner
6060 Castor Ave.
15 violations, 6 serious
The inspection revealed a change of ownership. The facility needed to complete a Change of Ownership Application with the city; the person-in-charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of the Pa. Food Code; the door on the hot holding unit used for empanadas, was defective and did not close all the way; the only handwash sink in prep area was clogged; and employees were not able to properly wash their hands; soap was not available at the handwash sink in the restroom area; the paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the restroom 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 Nov. 10.

Room, Sultan/Shad's Food Cart/ V00787
1402 Lombard St.
10 violaitons, 6 serious
An employee's open beverage container was found in a food preparation area; hot water was not at required temperature; there were paper towels found; onions were stored in the handwash sink; leaves and dust found on cheese; food including tomatoes, lettuce, eggs, was not held at required temperature; food debris and stagnant water were on floor; cutting boards had deep scratches and scoring that did not allow for effective cleaning and sanitizing; filters for mechanical hood system missing.
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 Nov. 10.

Little Jimmie's Bakery Cafe
6669 Germantown Ave.
17 violations, 3 serious
Dead flies found on the windowsill in the dining area; microwave cavities found with food debris on the surfaces; several food items were not held at the required temperature; working bulk food ingredient storage containers were not labeled with the common name of the food; soiled stagnant water found under the sink in the warewashing area; dirt and food debris seen beneath refrigerators and other food equipment; brooms, mops, and dust pans were stored directly on the floor and not elevated on a utility rack.
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 Nov. 9.

2655 Mini Market
2655 W Sterner St.
20 violations, 8 serious
Visible physical evidence of mouse droppings found in the food prep area and rear storage/warewashing area floor perimeters; drain flies observed in the food prep area; old rat droppings and debris accumulation observed in basement area general floor perimeters; hot water was not at the required 100-degree temperature; 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; opened commercially processed ready-to-eat deli meats, located in the display case, were not marked with the dates they were opened; dirt accumulation observed in three-compartment sink; no food safety certified handler was present during the inspection
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 Nov. 9.

Family Market Discount Store
5141 Haverdord Ave.
9 violations, 5 serious
Flies were found inside the deli case where there was exposed lettuce and on the cutting board; opened commercially processed ready-to-eat food, located in the deli case, and held more than 48 hours, was not marked; food employees were not wearing or wearing ineffective hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard restraints; unapproved microwave present; the food facility operator needs to ensure that a person-in-charge is present at the food facility during all hours of operation.
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 Nov. 8.

Tavern on Broad
200 S Broad St.
18 violations, 5 serious
Fly pupae observed in nozzle of soda gun in bar three, small flies harboring around soda nozzle in bar, ceiling and walls of main bar, dining area, warewash area, prep area and basement area; mouse droppings found on and around exposed compressor in prep area, under three-bay sink and under prep table where slicer is stored; a dead mouse was found on basement floor near employee storage area; cigarettes found in the inoperable sandwich prep area during the inspection; black residue, pink slime observed on the interior of the ice machine; nozzles of soda gun observed with pink and brown build-up in main bar; inoperable garbage grinder; inoperable mechanical ware wash unit in main bar.
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 Nov. 8.

Pony Trail Lounge
1228 N 52nd St.
9 violations, 1 serious
Broken sewer pipe in the basement; visible physical evidence of mouse droppings found in the kitchen area; loose or broken door hinges observed in the freezer in the basement; openings observed around utility lines, plumbing, electrical cords and at the floor/wall junctures behind the three-basin sink; Grease and debris observed on the floor and wall behind cook equipment in the food prep 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 Nov. 8.

Personal Touch Early Learning Center, Inc.
40 E Chelten Ave.
27 violations, 10 serious
Mouse droppings observed along the floor perimeters in the children's restroom and inside the cabinet under the sink; a dead roach found in staff restroom; loose rodent bait observed in basement and food prep areas; microwave cavities had food debris on the surfaces; packaged ravioli was not heated to required temperatures before being served; spray bottles in the food prep area, used for storing chemicals taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical; two defective commercial refrigerators in the food prep area and rear after school classroom.
Alteration or construction began prior to plan submission and approval. 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 Nov. 7.

Bizini's
1800 Lindley Ave.
19 violations, 9 serious
Food safety certified person is operating in unsanitary conditions; facility operating without hot water and severe mouse infestation; mouse droppings found on the windowsills, shelving, counter top, food containers, unused slicer, and inside HVAC equipment; dead flies observed on the windowsill and inside the warewashing sink; cooked rice was not held at required temperatures; heavy grease accumulation found on equipment in the food prep area; uncovered cooking oil and chicken found in the food prep area and freezer in the basement; facility lacks a food grade quaternary ammonium or chlorine sanitizer to properly sanitize dishes and utensils.
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 Nov. 6.

Family Dollar Store #10200
5701 Walnut St.
5 violations, 1 serious
Mouse observed on floor in trap behind register; severely dented, swollen, distressed canned items observed in retail area, five dented tomato products were removed from the shelves during the inspection; cans without labels observed on shelf in retail area; mouse feces found in the retail area on food shelves, floors throughout, and on shelves behind both registers; soda crates used to elevate food and storage items; lights in the retail area not shielded from breakage.
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 Nov. 6.

China Garden
8103 Stenton Ave.
10 violations, 2 serious
Visible physical evidence of severe mouse and fly activity found in the food prep area; mouse droppings found on the cardboard lining under the steam table; a child was seen in an unauthorized part of the facility in rear food storage area; heavy grease accumulation found in between cooking equipment; dust accumulation observed on the exhaust hood filters and ceiling fan in customer area; a spoon used for rice was stored in stagnant water; newspapers were used to line a cardboard box where wonton strips were stored; a container of soiled stagnant water was found under boxes of broccoli in the walk-in cooler.
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 Nov. 6.

Mezquita Grocery
300 S. 52nd St.
12 violations, 4 serious
Dead roaches and eggs were observed in an unused freezer; mouse droppings were found in the food prep area on the floor near the door that leads outside, on the food shelves in the retail area, and on the floor in the rear storage area and basement; roaches, flies and fruit flies observed in sanitizer solution in three-bay sink; potentially hazardous foods were not held at required temperatures; gap in doors of the deli case; upper and lower doors have loose gaskets.
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 Nov. 6.

Chai Hong Market
2200 S. 7th St.
11 violations, 6 serious
Food facility person-in-charge not able to provide documentation that foods are from an approved source; containers with portioned food stored in the refrigerator; a food employee was observed touching ready to eat food with her bare hands; the facility lacked a dedicated food preparation sink; potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food, prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours and refrigerated was not date marked; fruit flies found in the sales and cashier areas.
Alteration or construction began prior to plan submission and approval. Plan Review Application must be submitted for evaluation. Person in-charge has been instructed to discontinue all food preparation and service activities immediately. Inspected Nov. 6.

Blue Moon Restaurant
614 S 55th St.
16 violations, 5 serious
Mouse dropping found in fryer oil, at the wok station and ledge beneath it, on foil covering the fryer, on the lid covering a bulk container of rice, on shelves with microwave and cooking oils, on floors under cooking equipment and on the basement floor; candies packaged in the facility were not labeled properly with the name of product, ingredient statement, net weight, distributed by statement and/or nutritional facts; working bulk food ingredient storage containers were not labeled with the common name of the food; no food safety certified person available at establishment.
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 Nov. 6.

Wing Wong House
6057 Ogontz Ave.
21 violations, 5 serious
Sugar used for cooking was being stored in a ketchup can; fly strips were located above the food prep table with potential to contaminate food, equipment, and/or utensils; egg rolls, shrimp rolls, and other potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours was not date marked; grease accumulation observed on hood filters of the exhaust hood system and on the sides of kitchen equipment; cat food and litter box with feces found in the basement of facility; food was not stored at least six inches above the floor; food, dust and other debris found along floor perimeters throughout establishment; a food safety certified person not present.
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.

TakeOver Lounge
3348 Germantown Ave.
20 violations, 4 serious
Basement access was not provided; spider webs found on the restroom walls and ceilings; flies were on food contact surfaces and food equipment inside kitchen food prep area; mouse droppings and debris accumulation observed along floor perimeters of rear bar area; the kitchen three-bay sink and hand washing sink were not sealed to wall; all refrigeration unit interior surfaces need cleaning due to ice and debris accumulation in bar area cold-hold and food prep area reach-in freezer.
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 Nov. 1.

Le Mandingue
6620 Woodland Ave.
44 violations, 16 serious
Fish scales and guts found on a wooden cutting board, three-basin sink, saw, and other surfaces in basement prep area; dead mice and feces found in the basement and kitchen; cockroaches found on/in basement fish freezers, meat/fish saw, upstairs dish drain board; food observed thawing at room temperature in the basement on the floor; oil from the fryer was leaking into the basement; moldy waste oil found in the basement with a used cigarette butt observed on top; the can opener had an accumulation of food residue on the food contact surfaces; the boiler and hot water heater in the basement were leaking; the food facility is preparing and packaging Hibiscus and Ginger juice without a food safety plan or any means of providing for a five log 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 Nov. 2.

Kurth Seafood
901 W Susquehanna Ave.
26 violations; 5 serious
A live mouse observed on the 2nd floor storage room; mouse droppings observed throughout the facility including in the unused refrigerator in warewash/food preparation room and on the food preparation tables and ice machine; fruit flies observed in the warewash area, food preparation area and the basement by catch basin; uncovered foods found inside the cold holding units and refrigerators; soda dispensing nozzles are not clean; cole slaw, potato salad and macaroni and cheese are potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food, prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the refrigerator, was not date marked.Cracked glass observed on refrigerator sliding door.
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 Nov. 2.

Eateries scheduled for hearing in the Court of Common Pleas on Nov. 9.
Read Ready Daycare & Early Learning, 5015 WAYNE AVE.; Family Dollar Store #6929, 6555 GREENE ST.

Eateries scheduled for hearing in the Court of Common Pleas on Nov 7.
Lovash International Grill, 236 SOUTH ST; Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet, 2051 COTTMAN AVE.; Dunkin Donuts, 1401 S 10TH ST.; Wei Shang, 2901 N STILLMAN ST.