[Editor’s note: The report mentioned here is from an inspection conducted on January 30 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishment.]
A January 30 inspection by the Philadelphia health department found multiple health code violations at China Gate. The violations need to be corrected prior to a follow-up inspection.
China Gate
- When: January 30, 2026
- Where: 3822 Morrell Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114
China Gate is known for its Chinese dishes, including spare ribs, egg rolls, and sesame chicken. According to the inspection report, the violations reported for the restaurant are:
- The paper towel dispenser was observed empty at the handwash sink in the restroom area.
- The can opener had an accumulation of food residue on food-contact surfaces.
- The report said that the meat grinder had an accumulation of food residue on food-contact surfaces.
- Food (popcorn chicken) was observed held on the prep table at 60°F instead of 41°F or below.
- Potentially hazardous foods, including marinated meats and cut vegetables, located in the walk-in cooler, reach-in refrigerator, and under-counter refrigerator units, were not date-marked to indicate when containers were opened.
- Time as a public health control (time instead of temperature) was being used to control ready-to-eat potentially hazardous food without written procedures or documentation to verify the disposition of food.
- A personal cell phone was seen kept on a cold prep unit shelf. The person in charge (PIC) removed the phone during inspection.
- The food preparation sink was observed to be unclean to the sight and touch.
- Several working bulk food ingredient storage containers were found to be kept without labels identifying the common name of the food.
- A fly glue strip was observed in the rear prep area, according to the inspection report.
- Containers with food were observed stored directly on the floor inside the walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer.
- Uncovered food was seen inside the chest freezer, walk-in cooler, reach-in refrigerator, and under-counter refrigerator units.
- Food employees were observed not wearing hair restraints in the cooking area.
- Moist wiping cloths were observed lying on the three-compartment sink and cutting board surfaces and were not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
- Common bowls or food containers without handles were observed in direct contact with bulk food ingredients.
- Non-NSF/ANSI-approved chest freezers, reach-in refrigeration/freezer units, and a microwave were observed in use in the facility. The garbage grinder was observed installed on a shallow, wall-mounted handwash sink.
- Cardboard was observed lining the shelving inside the walk-in cooler.
- Food-contact surfaces of cutting boards were observed not to be smooth, easily cleanable, or resistant to pitting, cracking, or scratching.
- Raw wood steps were observed leading toward the basement area, said the report.
- Ice accumulation was observed on the interior surfaces of reach-in and chest freezer units. Food debris was also observed inside the microwave and cooking area.
- Restroom areas, like the floor, sink, and toilet bowl, were in need of cleaning.
- Dust accumulation was observed on pipes near the front service area. The basement area has a damaged floor.
- Grease accumulation was observed on the basement floors around the grease box.
- Heavy dust accumulation was observed on the wall-mounted fan in the cooking area.
- The basement area had inadequate lighting, the report noted.
A detailed report is available online.
Follow-up inspection
According to the inspection report, China Gate was not satisfactory when it came to compliance, and its status will be assessed upon reinspection. Failure to correct the violations could result in permit action, according to the inspection report.
