The Office of Food Protection of the Philadelphia Department of Health performed strict inspections across several food facilities on May 7. A Chinese restaurant, a seafood eatery, and a bar failed to pass the inspection. The department has asked the three Philadelphia eateries to take corrective actions based on its observations.
Please note that the results mentioned here are from particular inspections conducted on May 7 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the three food establishments.
Highlights
- Han Dynasty, Oyster House, and Sharon’s Little Spot could not pass the routine inspection by the Philadelphia Department of Health.
- Han Dynasty and Oyster House did not have proper handwashing supplies.
- Food inspectors found a dead bird and rodents at Sharon’s Little Spot.
Three Philadelphia Restaurants Fail Health Inspection
Han Dynasty, Oyster House, and Sharon’s Little Spot could not demonstrate satisfactory results in a routine inspection by the Office of Food Protection of the Philadelphia Department of Health. Food inspectors noted unlabeled insecticides, missing signs, and dead birds in storage areas at the three Philadelphia eateries.
The health department officials also highlighted many other food code violations.
Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty could not pass a food safety inspection. (Source: Google Reviews)
- Where: 3711 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
- When: May 7, 2025
The Philadelphia crowd makes its way to this mother-son restaurant for a range of Sichuan food items. Han Dynasty has become a beloved food eatery for its detailed Chinese menu, including dumplings in chili oil, three-cup chicken, spicy tofu fish, shrimp lo mein, and jasmine tea.
However, the 2007-launched Philadelphia food facility was found to be violating several guidelines of the Philadelphia Department of Health. They observed that soaps were missing from the handwashing sink. After this, inspectors noticed that a raw chicken container was kept over the string beans. Both issues were corrected during the inspection.
The Philadelphia Department of Health then identified multiple sanitation problems at Han Dynasty. A low amount of chlorine chemical sanitizer, debris on dish machine racks, and the presence of shrimp in water bowls were some of the issues noticed at the restaurant.
Apart from these, food inspectors highlighted unlabeled insecticides/rodenticides along with the presence of mouse droppings and fruit flies in the food prep area.
The inspection report further emphasized that the common bowls at the Philadelphia food facility did not have handles. Handwashing sinks in the toilet rooms had slow, hot water. The reach-in freezer was used for dry storage at the Chinese eatery. Additionally, food inspectors reported that Han Dynasty was implementing construction work without their approval.
Oyster House
Inside view and food items at Oyster House (Source: Google Reviews)
- Where: 1516 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States
- When: May 7, 2025
This Philadelphia eatery satiates the seafood cravings of the residents and visitors of the city. Three generations of Oyster House have been serving a range of American and seafood options for 40 years. The menu highlights include lobster roll with fries, New England clam chowder, grilled octopus, and raw oysters.
However, Oyster House came under fire with the Philadelphia Department of Health on May 7 when it could not pass the routine inspection due to a range of food code violations.
The Office of Food Protection of the Philadelphia Department of Health highlighted the violations in its detailed inspection report. Inspectors observed that Oyster House was dealing with non-prepackaged food, which was also potentially hazardous.
They then found that the seafood eatery did not have a valid Food Establishment Personnel Food Safety Certificate, which was issued by the health department. Plus, the person in charge of Oyster House lacked an employee health policy during the inspection.
Food inspectors also found that handwashing reminder signs, paper towels, and trash cans were missing at the Philadelphia-based food facility. The absence of backflow preventers and loose sinks was also noted.
The inspection report then shed light on the absence of ‘no smoking’ and warning signs for avoiding alcohol during pregnancy at Oyster House.
Sharon’s Little Spot
Inside view and food items at Sharon’s Little Spot (Source: @lilspotbarsinstagram)
- Where: 5642 Boyer St, Philadelphia, PA 19138, United States
- When: May 7, 2025
This Philadelphia-based bar establishment is a beloved birthday celebration and hang out spot with karaoke facilities. Be it Happy Hour Sunday, Shrimp Monday, or R&B Wednesdays and Karaoke, Sharon’s Little Spot offers drinks and side dishes for the Philadelphia crowd.
The bar facility failed to clear the inspection conducted by the Office of Food Protection of the Philadelphia Department of Health on Wednesday. Health inspectors identified many food safety violations at Sharon’s Little Spot.
The inspection report noted the issue of the storage of non-prepackaged food at the bar, which was also potentially hazardous. Food inspectors then stressed the importance of a Food Establishment Personnel Food Safety Certificate, which was missing at Sharon’s Little Spot.
The toilet room did not have hot water. Plus, there was a defective hand dryer in another restroom. Paper towels and soaps were also missing at the facility.
Food inspectors then highlighted other sanitation issues at Sharon’s Little Spot. Black residue on the handwashing sink, lack of pest control, and food debris in the refrigerator were noted in the inspection report.
The inspectors then emphasized the presence of rodents, mouse droppings, and a dead bird on the premises of the Philadelphia bar.
The inspection report then listed different issues with the infrastructure at Sharon’s Little Spot. An inoperable ice machine and three 3-compartment sinks alongside missing vent covers were reported. Wall and ceiling surfaces were also damaged at Sharon’s Little Spot.
Continuous water leakage and poor storage of brooms and dustpans were also reported.
All three Philadelphia food and bar establishments will have to undertake corrective action based on the violations listed by the Philadelphia Department of Health. This will prepare them for any follow-up inspections in the coming months.
