The Philadelphia Department of Health’s Office of Food Protection inspected three restaurants on May 9, 2025, and found multiple health code violations. Scoreboard Sport Grille, Luigi’s Pizza Fresca, and La Sera Italiana were all cited for different issues, ranging from food contamination to pest infestations, which required immediate corrections.
Please note that the scores mentioned here are from a particular inspection conducted on May 9 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the establishments.
Highlights
- The most serious violations were found at Scoreboard Sport Grille, including a cockroach infestation and moldy food in refrigerators.
- Luigi’s Pizza Fresca exhibited clear evidence of a rodent infestation and lacked adequate sanitizing practices.
- La Sera Italiana was cited for improper food storage, incorrect chemical and mislabeled chemical and food containers.
Common Violations Found Across Multiple Establishments
Inspectors identified issues in all three Philadelphia restaurants, highlighting systemic concerns in food safety practices. There were several repeat violations, including improper food protection, unclean food-contact surfaces, and failure to follow proper date marking for potentially expired foods.
Scoreboard Sport Grille
- Where: 932 Washington Ave, 19147
- When: May 9, 2025, 1:05 PM to 3:15 PM
Health inspectors found moldy food in refrigerators that required immediate disposal and improperly stored eggshells above ready-to-eat foods. The restaurant did not use chemical sanitizer on equipment and displayed evidence of cockroach infestation in many areas.
Other violations involved unmarked, potentially contaminated foods stored longer than 48 hours, unapproved insecticides on the warewash floor, and staff without appropriate hair restraints. There were several equipment problems noted on the inspection report, such as refrigeration that did not work but was used for dry storage.
Luigi’s Pizza Fresca
- Where: 2401 Fairmount Ave, 19130
- When: May 9, 2025, 1:15 PM to 3:10 PM
The main issue at Luigi’s Pizza Fresca was the absence of a chemical sanitizer for utensils and equipment. Inspectors observed visual rodent activity with mouse droppings in both the prep and retail areas. Violations included, but were not limited to, staff with no restraint for hair, wiping cloths stored incorrectly, and unwrapped disposable plates. Other violations on the report cited a lack of sanitizer test strips in the facility, poor maintenance, and soiled floors in the walk-ins.
La Sera Italiana
- Where: 1608 South ST 19146
- When: May 9, 2025, 1:15 PM to 2:40 PM
Inspectors noted an exposure of foods in the freezer, which was addressed on the spot. Cheesecakes stored for more than 48 hours were not properly date-marked, and chemical containers in the coffee zone lacked labeling. Some of the other violations mentioned on the report were unlabeled bulk food containers, improper food storage height in the walk-in cooler, and maintenance issues with handwashing sink fixtures.
Follow-up Inspections Scheduled
All the restaurants are required to address these violations under Section 6-502 of the Philadelphia Health Code or lose their licenses and face legal actions. Most of the violations were rectified during inspections, such as discarding moldy products at Scoreboard and labeling containers at La Sera Italiana. Follow-up inspections will verify further compliance status.
Inspections held on May 9 highlight food safety issues within Philadelphia’s restaurant sector, with three restaurants receiving unsatisfactory compliance. The health department’s reports emphasize routine checks and enforcement of food safety laws to protect the public’s health. Consumers are urged to remain vigilant about the establishments they visit.
