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Clusters of live roaches close Philly eateries

Philadelphia Department of Public Health inspectors temporarily closed 14 restaurants, markets and stores between Dec. 1 and Dec. 16.

Clean Plates
Clean PlatesRead moreStaff

It's the holidays so we're having a little fun with this month's round up of Philadelphia restaurant inspection.

On the 12th day of working, Philly food inspectors found for thee:
12 mice a scurrying,
11 roaches running,
10 flies a flying,
9 moldy carrots,
8 grimy grease traps,
7 cruddy cutting boards,
6 slimy soda crates,
5 filthy floors,
4 dirty sinks,
3 open doors,
2 ineffective hair restraints,
and a dead mouse in a glue trap.

Philadelphia Department of Public Health inspectors temporarily closed 14 restaurants, markets and stores between Dec. 1 and Dec. 16.

The 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, or are facing court dates, follows:

Best China Inn Restaurant
4423 Locust St.
14 violations, 2 serious
A cluster of roaches was found on the wall behind the rice cooker, several roaches were seen roaming in the kitchen, a cluster of roaches were in a hole on the bottom of the wok station, several dead roaches were seen above the light shield in the kitchen; mice feces were found in the dry storage area, perimeter of the basement door, and the entrance to the basement stairwell; food particle/carbonization has accumulated on the surfaces of the rice cooker nearest to the wok and was no longer smooth and easily cleanable; Red syrup has accumulated inside container of salt at the wok prep table; food including chicken, shrimp, beef and cabbage sauce were not held at proper temperatures; a hole was found in the underside of the wok station that had become infested with roaches.
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 Dec. 13.

Sultan, Micheal/Say Cheese Philadelphia/#V-07063
1201 W Norris St.
5 violations, 3 serious
Person-in-charge was seen drinking coffee inside the food truck; there was no hot water in the hand wash sink; the person in-charge was seen placing dirty clipboard on a food cutting board; a cutting board had deep scratches and scoring that did not allow for effective cleaning; the hood filters had an accumulation of dust and grease.
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 Dec. 16.

Tejada Grocery
6147 Washington St.
17 violations, 4 serious
Spiderwebs were found under the ware washing sinks; mice droppings were on the floor and shelves in the rear storage room and on the floor in the retail area; the flap on the sugar dispenser was missing; cheese, mayo, tomatoes and lettuce were not refrigerated at appropriate temperatures; the cardboard liners in the beverage refrigerators were heavily soiled and had mold; there were soiled soda crates found in retail and storage areas; the sink in toilet room did not have hot water; a cell phone and television remote control were found on a cutting board at the sandwich prep station; there were holes in the toilet room walls; there was an accumulation of grease and food debris found on the sides of flat grill, fryer and the table holding them; extensive cleaning is needed 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 Dec. 11.

Domino's Pizza
2308 W Oregon Ave.
0 violations 0 serious
The person-in-charge of this establishment refused inspection.
Due to the refusal of an 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 Dec. 12.

Crabs Plus
1424 W Lehigh Ave.
36 violations, 12 serious
Multiple boxes of shrimp were being thawed outdoors; a bottle of cologne, ear buds, and a pair of glasses were stored on the same shelf with food in cooking area; an employee's open coffee cup was found in a food preparation area; food including potatoes, shrimp and corn were not held at proper temperatures; a food safety person was not present; potato slicer had an accumulation of food residue on the food contact surfaces; the establishment did not have sanitizer; there was no written consumer advisory for customers about raw or undercooked clams; the restroom is only accessible from the outside and was locked and the employees present did not have a key; alteration or construction began prior to plan submission and approval.
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 Dec. 7.

Aladdin Pizza & Eatery
4746 Spruce St.
1 violation, 1 serious
The food safety certified person was not 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 Dec. 7.

Rosales De Lajuj, Marta/El Sabor De Guatemala/V07085
Non-premanent location
4 violations, 1 serious.
Hot water was not available; the hot water faucet was broken; an unapproved freezer was found; general cleaning needed.
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 Dec. 7.

Takka Grill Pizzeria & Restaurant
418 E Wyoming Ave.
24 violations, 8 serious
Mouse droppings observed on the shelving in the basement prep area, floor perimeters in the food prep area and near the basement stairs; food including tomatoes, mayonnaise and cheese are held at improper temperatures; dirt and other debris observed inside the handwash sink and accumulated on the nozzles; garbage disposal was not working; oil/grease deposits found on the signs in the window; grease accumulation found on the exterior surfaces of the cooking equipment and on the hood filters of the exhaust hood; dirt, food debris, and a sticky substance found inside the refrigerators.
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 Dec. 6.

Keisha's Kozy Corner
5815 Germantown Ave.
13 violations 2 serious
Mouse droppings found throughout the facility including on the top of canned food items, rolling rack where dishes and canned items are stored, on a step stool, and inside a bucket; the facility lacks a splash guard between the hand washing sink and ware washing sink so clean items are not protected from splash or contamination; unapproved items including a microwave rolling rack, hot plate, and igloo cooler were found in the food prep area; 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 Dec. 6.

Texas Wieners
1426 Snyder Ave.
9 violations, 4 serious
Food including ice cream, pizza rolls, cream of potato soup and chicken fingers held at improper temperatures; time in lieu of temperature was used to control ready-to-eat potentially hazardous foods without written procedures or documentation to verify disposition of food; there was no soap in the prep area hand sink; a food scooper handle was seen buried inside refrigerated food ingredients; restroom vents were not clean; the trash can in the women's restroom was missing a lid.
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 Dec. 6.

New Wah Hing Market
6830 Bustleton Ave.
6 violations, 1 serious
Moldy carrots were found in the retail area; small flies were near the carrots; Mice feces was seen on shelves and packages of food in the retail area; a dead mouse was found on a glue trap in corner of back storage room; potential rodent harborage areas were found in the basement, back storage area, and retail area; unsealed utility lines observed throughout basement; front door was left continuously open during time of 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 Dec. 5.

Joe's Food Market
2654 Juniper St.
8 violations, 1 serious
Valid Food license was not found; mouse droppings were found on shelves with gnawed prepackaged chips, on other shelves with food, between equipment, under shelves, with baked snacks and so on; fresh and old mouse droppings also found at perimeter of floors in the basement and sales areas; food was not stored at least six inches above the floor; cracked floor tiles in the retail area needed to be replaced; standing water found in the basement area; all floors, shelves and other food contact surfaces needed to be cleaned and sanitized.
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 Dec. 5.

Phu Fha Thai Restaurant
6190 Ridge Ave.
17 violations, 7 serious
Unsanitary conditions maintained throughout establishment; there were open foods and sauces stored on and under shelving with large accumulations of piled mouse feces; cutting boards, table top surfaces, clean plates/cups were found with large accumulation of mouse feces; pooled grease accumulation found on the basement floor under upstairs grill area; a heavy accumulation of grease and food debris was found on the floor and walls in food prep area surrounding grill area; microwave interior cavities observed soiled with encrusted food debris; food including dumplings, tofu and egg rolls, held at improper 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 Dec. 1.

Drexel Pizza
101 N 33red St.
6 violations, 7 serious
Live roaches were found inside the dough storage cabinet, on the table where the dough roller is located, in the area were salads are made; drain flies were found under ware washing area; employees were not wearing or wearing ineffective hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard restraints; the floors and area behind all the equipment needed cleaning; there was heavy accumulation of food debris under the dough roller table and in the upstairs walk-in cooler area; lights in the food prep were 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 Dec. 1.

Eateries scheduled for hearing in the Court of Common Pleas on Jan. 4.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (Terminal F), 8500 ESSINGTON AVE.