[Editor’s note: The report mentioned here is from an inspection conducted on February 12 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishment.]
The Philadelphia health department carried out inspections on February 12 across the area. Among them, Era Bar and Restaurant was flagged for several health code violations, including the build-up of grease across the facility.
Era Bar and Restaurant
- When: February 12, 2026
- Where: 2743 Poplar St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Era Bar and Restaurant is an Ethiopian spot serving breakfast, billiards, and drinks. According to the report, the violations noted by the department include:
- Cardboard was used to line the interiors of undercounter refrigerators in the bar area, and paper towels were lining the shelves. The cement flooring inside the basement walk-in cooler was found to be not easily cleanable. The shelving inside undercounter reach-in refrigerators showed rust, and wooden pallets were being used for elevation in the basement area.
- A woven twine tray was observed in use for removing crepes or tortillas from the cooker. The material is not easily cleanable and should be replaced with sanitation-certified equipment, the report said.
- The facility was reported to use sanitizer test strips to monitor the concentration.
- No drying racks or drainboards were present in the warewashing area. One sink stopper was missing, limiting proper warewashing operations.
- Severe grease accumulation was seen inside the mechanical ventilation hood and on fire hoses. More grease and residue were present on the underside and top ledge above the open range. White residue or corrosion was also found on soda lines in the basement walk-in cooler.
- Soiled cardboard, residue, and debris were observed inside the bottoms of undercounter refrigerators in the bar area.
- The report noted that mouse droppings were found beneath an unused deep fryer, on the lower portion of a prep table, on a pull-out tray beneath the range, and on floors near onion storage. It was seen behind the open range, between the handwashing sink and the three-basin sink in the prep area.
- A single 50-gallon water heater located in the basement was supplying both the food facility and an upper-level residential unit.
- A handwashing sink in the prep area was not stable on all four legs, and soda gun holsters lacked drainage lines.
- The facility was actively preparing fresh produce without an approved food prep sink or an approved variance, the report said. No splash guard was present between the handwashing sink and the three-basin sink.
- Exterior waste receptacles were seen without lids. The facility was also using the City of Philadelphia residential trash collection service and could not provide an invoice for the required Commercial Trash Fee.
- Grime and debris were present along the floor perimeters of the prep and bar areas, according to the report.
- Excessive trash, dust, debris, and unused items were seen on the basement floor. Brooms and dustpans were stored directly on the floor instead of being elevated.
- A mop was kept inside a mop bucket rather than elevated for proper air drying.
- Damaged paint was observed on prep area walls.
- Wooden flooring in the bar area was not easily cleanable, with areas of missing and damaged flooring in both bar and patron areas.
- More damage was noted to walls and base coving in restrooms, prep areas, and patron spaces, along with unfinished floors, walls, and ceilings in the basement.
- Gaps were observed between filters in the mechanical ventilation hood.
- Lighting levels in the prep area measured only 50 lux, well below the required 540 lux.
- Mechanical ventilation was also not present in the men’s restroom, the report mentioned.
A detailed report is available online.
Follow-up Inspection
According to the report, the restaurant was found to be not in compliance. The corrective action will be assessed upon a reinspection. Failure to correct the problems may result in the revocation of the eatery’s health license and other legal action.
