Booker’s Restaurant & Bar underwent a routine inspection by the Philadelphia Department of Health on August 25, 2025. The inspectors conducted a routine check to assess compliance with the health standards. The inspection noted several violations, among them mouse and cockroach activity. Corrective measures are required before the establishment can return to regular operations.
Please note that the report mentioned here is from an inspection conducted on August 25 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishment.
Highlights
- The Philadelphia Department of Health conducted a routine inspection at Booker’s Restaurant & Bar on August 25, 2025.
- The establishment was cited as noncompliant with the health standards due to major violations.
- To continue regular business activities, the facility must address the issues.
Booker’s Restaurant & Bar
- Where: 5021 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
- When: August 25, 2025
Inspectors found a tray blocking the hand-wash sink in the kitchen, restricting use. The sink station was missing both paper towels and an air-dryer for hand drying. Unprotected scallops were noted in the walk-in cooler, along with other uncovered foods in the cold prep fridge.
A buildup of brown slime was detected within the ice machine bin. The violation was corrected by an employee on-site. The 3-compartment sink was incorrectly set up. The dishwasher’s final rinse showed 0 ppm of chlorine sanitizer, far below the required 50–100 ppm level.
Food was stored at temperatures between 45.7°F and 50.2°F, exceeding the safe guideline of 41°F or lower. Temperature measuring devices were unavailable at the premises. Inspectors noted mouse droppings on the window ledge and near the dishwasher. Required hair restraints were not used by employees handling food.
Moist cloths were stored improperly instead of being held in a sanitizer. The inspectors found non-NSF/ANSI-approved chest freezers and a mini reach-in freezer in the basement and kitchen.
Problems were identified with the cold prep refrigerator in the kitchen area. The facility was not following proper garbage disposal practices. There were no sanitizer test strips available in the venue to monitor sanitizer concentration.
Dust had accumulated in the cold prep refrigerator unit, as observed during the inspection. The chest refrigerator in the bar had accumulated water. A deceased mouse and several dead roaches were discovered in the basement. Dust and debris were observed in the basement and kitchen.
One of the lights in the hood was found inoperative in the kitchen during the inspection. No warning signs were displayed about the dangers of consuming alcoholic beverages during pregnancy. The report is available here.
Follow-up Inspection
The inspection revealed that Booker’s Restaurant & Bar is not in satisfactory compliance. The facility must take corrective measures to resolve the cited violations. The department will assess updated compliance status upon reinspection.
Inspectors noted the restaurant did not present a valid food license. Renewal must be completed through the Department of Licenses and Inspections. A License Eligibility Report (LER) will be issued by the Department of Public Health after a compliant inspection. Failure to correct these violations may result in the revocation of the health license and other legal action.
