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Mouse droppings in pizza pan, fruit-fly infestations close Philly eateries

Fifteen restaurants and markets were closed temporarily, or they voluntarily agreed to close to correct violations, from Sept. 1 to Sept. 16.

Clean Plates
Clean PlatesRead moreStaff

Mouse droppings as a pizza topping? Actually, they were in an empty pizza pan, but, still.

That is one of the latest examples of the finds inspectors with Philadelphia Department of Public Health encountered, along with fruit-fly infestations, dirty dishes, and moldy ice bins as they examined local restaurants and markets.

From Sept. 1 to Sept. 16, 15 restaurants and markets were closed temporarily or voluntarily agreed to close to correct violations.

Health Department inspectors visit nearly 1,000 eateries and food retailers every two weeks. Inspections are 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.

Fatso Foggerty's
2655 S 18th St.
1 violation, 1 serious
A food-safety-certified person was not present at time of inspection.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, the establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and discontinued food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected Sept 15.

Subway #36360
41 Snyder Ave.
2 violations, 1 serious
A live roach was found around the handwash sink. The person in charge did not know the names, symptoms, and actions to be taken if an employee is showing symptoms of food-borne illnesses.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Sept. 15.

24th & Moore Food Market
1800 S 24th St.
16 violations, 7 serious
Expired baby formula was found; the person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of the PA Food Code, and the facility did not have a Health Awareness Reporting Procedure for food employees; the sink in the prep area was not in operation at time of inspection; uncovered foods found in deep freezer; there was open, commercially processed, ready-to-eat food in the deli display case that was held more than 48 hours and not marked; a domestic microwave was found in the food-preparation area.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Sept. 15.

Mandalay Aung Lin
2468 Kensington Ave.
11 violations, 4 serious
Mouse droppings were found on several containers of condiments in the food-preparation area, in an empty deep fryer, and in the food-preparation area; clean pots were stored on the floor; food was not stored at least six inches above the floor; a food-safety-certified person was not present, and the person in charge had no knowledge of food-borne illnesses that needed to be reported to the Health Department.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Sept. 14.

Simon's Kosher Meat
6926 Bustleton Ave.
9 violations, 2 serious
Live roaches and mouse feces found inside of bags of Styrofoam containers; white roach powder observed on floor of prep area; flies seen in the prep area; roaches seen on food-storage containers in basement area and prep area; mouse feces found throughout the floor in basement storage area and along some floor perimeters; old food debris found on food-contact surfaces; Dumpster in need of cleaning at time of inspection.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, the establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and discontinued food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected Sept. 14.

The Pizza Place
1648 S 7th St. 19148
17 violations, 4 serious
Mouse feces found on shelving with food and on food-preparation trays in basement, in the customer service, kitchen, and basement areas; house flies seen in the kitchen and basement areas; roaches found in the rear kitchen area; food debris and mouse feces found along floor perimeters on the first and basement floors; walls in the food-preparation and basement areas were not clean; a food-safety-certified person was not present; food thermometers were not available or readily accessible; employees were not wearing or were 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 discontinued food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected Sept. 13.

Star Grocery & Deli
124 S 51st St 19139
1 violation, 1 serious
A food-safety-certified person was not present at the establishment.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Sept. 12.

Philly's Platinum Grille
7719 N Crittenden St.
26 violations, 13 serious
Old mouse droppings observed on the dishes in the kitchen on the shelving; the inner cavity of the microwave had old food residue accumulated on the surfaces; mold was found on the basin of the ice bin; dirt accumulated on the hot and cold water handles at the handwash sink in the food-prep area; chemicals were stored above or on the same shelf with food, equipment, and/or single-service articles in the rear beverage area; an insect-control device was found in bar area with potential to contaminate food, equipment, and /or utensils; there was visible physical evidence of insect activity; severe fruit-fly infestation found in the bar and rear beverage-serving areas; dishwasher temperature was less than 100 degrees; food was stored at inappropriate temperatures; collard-green broth prepared in the facility and held for more than 48 hours was not date-marked.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, the establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and discontinued food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected Sept. 8.

Al Eman Halal Meat Market
1211 N 52nd St.
13 violations, 4 serious
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; cold, potentially hazardous, ready-to-eat food, prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, was found in the walk-in box, and was not date-marked; Mouse droppings observed in prep and warewashing area; employees did not have hair or beard restraints; floors needed cleaning to remove debris, mouse droppings, dead flies, and a dead cockroach; there were defective freezers, and a broken freezer door.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, the establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and discontinued food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected Sept. 8.

Tuscana Pizza
6439 Castor Ave.
12 violations, 5 serious
Flies observed in the prep area because the front door was continuously open; toilet paper was observed missing inside restroom; paper-towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the restroom area; the person in charge did not properly demonstrate wash, rinse, and sanitize procedures when asked by the inspector; there was no chemical sanitizer used on equipment and utensils after washing and rinsing them, and prior to use; walls in need of repair near rear exit.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Sept. 7.

Gregory Mini Market Inc
2513 W Somerset St.
23 violations, 8 serious
Food was not kept at the required temperatures; employee did not follow proper handwash procedures and did not wash hands between changing tasks; chemicals were stored above or on the same shelf with food in the basement; paper-towel dispensers at the handwash sink in the toilet room and food-prep area were empty; soap was not available at the handwash sink in the toilet room; expired baby foods found in the retail area; a leak from the ceiling was found dripping onto bottled beverages in rear storage area; severely dented and distressed canned items were found in the retail area.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Sept. 7.

New Station Pizza
2206 W Hunting Park Ave.
32 violations, 12 serious
Mouse droppings found on interior surfaces of pizza pans, on shelving in the front counter area, and in the basement, in drawers, cabinets, inside the display case, plastic crates, on the pizza oven, and trash can; soiled water observed in stream table; 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; the facility had inadequate lighting in the basement; sausage was not stored at proper temperatures; bulk-food-ingredient storage containers were not labeled with the common name of the food; the facility lacked a food-grade quaternary ammonium or chlorine sanitizer to properly wash, rinse, and sanitize dishes and utensils.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, the establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and discontinued food operations immediately. Inspected Sept. 6.

Furfari Soft Pretzels
2025 Frankford Ave.
9 violations, 3 serious
An employee was observed touching pretzels with bare hands; he stopped when inspector came in. Mouse droppings were found on the floor perimeter throughout the facility; flies seen at the food-preparation area; a food-safety-certified person was not present; the person in charge had no knowledge of food-borne illnesses that needed to be reported to the Health Department; floor and ceiling surfaces were not smooth and easily cleanable; a baseboard on the rear food-preparation area was loose; peeling paint was on the wall surfaces in the rear food-preparation area.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, the establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and discontinued food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected Sept. 6.

Scarlen Grocery
3259 Rorer St.
13 violations, 3 serious
Live roaches were found under the equipment and on the shelves at time of inspection; food flies observed throughout the facility; ready-to-eat food, prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours and located in the deli, was not date-marked; soap and paper towels were not available at the handwash sink; moist wiping cloths observed lying on the counter and not stored in sanitizing solution; the three compartment sinks had dirty dishes and food debris in them at time of inspection.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, the establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and discontinued food operations immediately. Inspected Sept. 5.

Espinal Deli Grocery
1601 W Lehigh Ave.
30 violations, 10 serious
A food employee was observed touching ready-to-eat food (roll) with his bare hands; food items including milk, eggs, cheeses, deli meats, raw food, sliced tomatoes, chicken and tuna salads were not held at required temperatures; Chemicals were stored above or on the same shelf with food in the retail area; thermometers were not available or readily accessible in display case equipment; flies found in the food-prep area; employees were not wearing or were wearing ineffective hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard restraints; Coffee spoon observed stored in stagnant water and not in running water; Dirt and debris observed on the floors in the food-prep area; Grease accumulation observed on the exterior surfaces of the cooking equipment and deep fryer; damaged display-case door repaired with duct tape.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Sept. 5.