The Office of Food Protection of the Philadelphia Department of Health conducted strict food safety inspections in many restaurants across the city on April 9, 2025. Three food establishments – a Japanese restaurant and two cafes, demonstrated multiple health violations and failed the inspection.
All three Philadelphia-based establishments have been asked to take corrective action based on their inspection reports by the food inspectors.
Please note that the results mentioned here are from inspections conducted on April 9 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishments.
Highlights
- Bao Button, Cafe Musette, and New Wave Cafe failed health inspections on April 9.
- The strict inspection was conducted by the Office of Food Protection of the Philadelphia Department of Health.
- All three Philadelphia eateries have been asked to take corrective action before a follow-up round.
Three Philadelphia Eateries Failed Health Inspection
Bao Button, Cafe Musette, and New Wave Cafe are the three Philadelphia-based food establishments that were cited for violations by the Philadelphia Department of Health. While some had sinks with damaged stoppers, others had employees who weren’t wearing hair restraints.
Bao Button
Inside view and food items at Bao Button (Source: Google Reviews)
- Where: 2489 Aramingo Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
- When: April 9, 2025
This Japanese food facility has been offering the Philadelphia crowd vegan delights and a kids’ menu. People go to Bao Button to relish its food items like katsu don, veggie bao, spam musubi, and mini soup dumplings.
Inspectors of the Philadelphia Department of Health found multiple food safety violations at the Philadelphia restaurant on Wednesday.
Inspection Findings at Bao Button
Food inspectors reported the absence of a person in charge at Bao Button during their routine inspection round. The PIC arrived after 15-20 minutes of the inspection along with the Philadelphia Food Safety Certificate.
The inspection report then noted a lack of warm water in the men’s washroom at the Japanese food facility. The paper towel dispenser was empty at Bao Button’s handwashing sink in the drink area. Plus, utensils were found in the same sink. All three issues were corrected during the inspection.
Inspectors of the Philadelphia Department of Health then highlighted that ready-to-eat foods were kept below raw animal foods at Bao Button. Additionally, soaking rice and beansprouts was not covered. Both these issues were corrected during the inspection itself.
The inspection report then shed light on the improper arrangement of the 3-bay ware washing sink at Bao Button. This problem was also corrected by the restaurant during the inspection. The labels were missing on the bulk food ingredient storage containers at the Japanese eatery.
Utensils in direct contact with these containers had no handles. Another violation reported by the officials was the presence of paper towels and folds on the shelves of the flattop grill.
Inspectors further reported the presence of food debris in the warewashing sink, prep sink, floor under the refrigerator, and steamer in the food prep area. Other than this, hot water was leaking in the men’s washroom at Bao Button.
The inspection report then revealed missing ceiling tiles and light bulbs in different corners of the Philadelphia-based Japanese establishment.
Cafe Musette
Seating arrangement and food items at Cafe Musette (Source: Google Reviews)
- Where: 2441 Aspen St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, United States
- When: April 9, 2025
People go to this cafe located on Aspen St. for its aesthetics, warm ambiance, and mouthwatering quick bites. Menu highlights at Cafe Musette include shakshuka, avocado toast, chai latte, fig & brie baguette, and peach and ricotta tartine.
On April 9, the Office of Food Protection of the Philadelphia Department of Health found that the cafe was violating multiple risk factors.
Inspection Findings at Cafe Musette
In its routine inspection round on Wednesday, the Philadelphia-based cafe showed multiple food safety violations. The inspection report first revealed that Cafe Musette did not have a person in charge during the inspection. The PIC came while the inspection was on at the Philadelphia cafe.
The report then highlighted the formation of black residue on the inside of ice machines in Cafe Musette’s prep and basement areas.
After this, inspectors reported that the Philadelphia cafe’s quaternary ammonium concentration was 100 ppm, not the required 200 – 400 ppm in the sanitizing solution of its ware wash sink. Plus, the staff at Cafe Musette was not wearing hair restraints. Wiping cloths were found on prep tables, not in sanitizing solutions.
The inspection report then revealed that the Philadelphia cafe’s tableware was uncovered and cutting boards had scratches. Food inspectors also found a non-NSF/ANSI mall chest freezer in its basement.
The food prep area was dirty at Cafe Musette, with debris and stains. Brooms and mops were not used to prevent vermin at the cafe.
New Wave Cafe
Inside view and food items at New Wave Cafe (Source: Google Reviews)
- Where: 784 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, United States
- When: April 9, 2025
This Philadelphia cafe/casual sports bar is a go-to place for those who want to savor tasty treats while chatting with bartenders. Menu highlights at New Wave Cafe include mozzarella, wedge salad, nachos, beer, chicken wings, and goat cheese.
New Wave Cafe failed to make it through the routine inspection of the Philadelphia Department of Health due to multiple health violations demonstrated on April 9.
Inspection Findings at New Wave Cafe
The inspection report by health officials started with the mention of an open beverage by the cafe’s employees in its food prep area. Going ahead, the inspectors reported expired buttermilk in the food prep area. Both things were removed by the Philadelphia cafe’s PIC during the inspection.
Food officials then highlighted a ‘black residue,’ which was found on the inside of New Wave Cafe’s ice machine bin. Additionally, the drying rack of the bar/cafe’s refrigerator was found to be rusted.
The inspection report noted that New Wave Cafe had not marked the opening date of its cheddar cheese bag, which was opened for more than two days. The PIC marked the date during the inspection. Beverages at the Philadelphia cafe/bar were not stored at the required 6 inches height above the floor.
Many pieces of equipment in New Wave Cafe’s bar area were loaded with residue. Its refrigeration units, hood filters, and air vents in washrooms needed cleaning as well. Additionally, leakage was found by the inspectors in the food prep area’s handwashing sink.
All three Philadelphia-based eateries have been asked to take corrective actions. Although no date has been announced by the Philadelphia Department of Health, reinspections are expected to happen anytime soon.
