The Philadelphia Department of Health’s Office of Food Protection is an independent body that conducts routine inspections regularly to ensure that establishments meet food safety and hygiene requirements. On Thursday, June 5, three restaurants failed these inspections.
Please note that the reports mentioned here are from inspections conducted on June 5 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishments.
Highlights
- On June 5, three restaurants in Philadelphia had noncompliance issues when inspected by the health department.
- One of the eateries was a Korean chicken and street snack shop, another was a Chinese restaurant, and the last was a modern Indian restaurant and bar.
- All three restaurants had pest infestation issues.
Crunchik’n
- Where: 212 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States
- When: June 5, 2025
Crunchik’n is a Korean restaurant that serves fried chicken and street food. On June 5, 2025, during a routine check conducted by the health department in Philadelphia, they failed to present satisfactory compliance results.
Violations Found at Crunchik’n
Although the eatery only had one risk factor violation, several sanitary violations and equipment issues were noted throughout the facility. The key violation was that several food items were stored above the prescribed 41°F, posing a risk of bacterial growth. The manager adjusted the cold prep fridge’s temperature during the inspection, addressing the issue promptly.
Other violations noted at Crunchik’n’s premises included mouse droppings in the ware washing area, basement storage, and prep areas, signaling rodent activity.
Furthermore, certain utensils were held directly inside the food, risking contamination. To-go containers were stored improperly, with the food-contact side facing up.
The inspectors also noted dust and grease buildup on the kitchen hood, under kitchen equipment, and on the refrigerator kick plates.
The report also mentioned leaks in the basement, a loose light fixture, ice buildup in freezers, rusted shelves, debris on equipment and walls, broken handles, and unused old equipment.
Golden Lake Chinese Restaurant
- Where: 2319 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130, United States
- When: June 5, 2025
Golden Lake Chinese restaurant on Fairmount Avenue serves Chinese classics such as Orange chicken and Moo Shu Chicken. However, during the June 5 inspection rounds, was cited for two risk factor violations, along with a range of other minor infractions.
Violations Found at Golden Lake Chinese Restaurant
As per the inspection report, all the food on the premises was held at appropriate temperatures. However, sanitation and cleanliness violations needed to be addressed.
The sanitizer in the three-bay sink was below the outlined 50 to 100 ppm, which was corrected on-site. The ice machine also had pink slime and black residue to be cleaned.
Containers that stored bulk ingredients did not have labeling. Most importantly, the premises had pest activity, as inspectors found flies in the prep area.
Employee hygiene issues occurred because staff were not utilizing effective hair restraints. Further, wet wiping cloths were left out on the prep sink instead of the sanitizing solution.
Utensils such as preset tableware were not wrapped, inverted, or covered. At the same time, disposable takeaway containers were left uncovered, food contact side up.
Other cleanliness lapses observed in the report included dirty floors in the walk-in and freezer, grime, debris, and cobwebs on the floor edges in the prep and storage areas.
The lights in the prep area lacked appropriate shielding to prevent breakage. There was also a leak in the three-bay sink drain, and mops were stored inappropriately.
Thanal Indian Cuisine
- Where: 1939 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, United States
- When: June 5, 2025
Thanal Indian Cuisine, or Thanal Indian Tavern, is a modern restaurant and bar with a menu of classic Indian dishes with yellow accents in its interiors. The inspecting official noted more than one serious risk factor violation and several minor violations.
Violations Found at Thanal Indian Cuisine
The inspection revealed rodent infestations in multiple areas throughout the eatery. A live mouse was seen in the basement, and mouse droppings were found throughout the facility, on food storage shelves, under prep tables, and on a tablecloth.
There were also food safety risks, such as the observance of a gnawed bag of flour and rice that was contaminated and, hence, unsafe to use. Furthermore, raw chicken was stored with ready-to-eat foods such as cheese and greens; however, this was corrected during the inspection.
The dishwasher’s chemical sanitizer was detected at zero ppm instead of 50 to 100 ppm. The report also stated that two fridges were out of order, food was stored inappropriately, and the staff were using foil lining in food prep areas; this is not in compliance with sanitation rules.
Moreover, the team was using unapproved equipment, including a tandoor oven, a Botrista drink machine, and a cup sealer.
The establishment also had plumbing leaks in a sink in the food preparation area and a pipe in the basement. The facility also had damaged floors, bare wood paneling, low grout, grease, dirt buildup, and residue on the ceiling. Trash was not properly disposed of in covered containers.
Follow-up Requirements
All establishments mentioned above must ensure that the violations stated in the reports are corrected. Then, they are required to contact the inspector promptly for a follow-up inspection and pay any needed reinspection fees. If these eateries fail to comply, their licenses can be revoked or suspended, or legal action can be taken against them.
