[Editor’s note: The reports mentioned here are from inspections conducted on May 6 and do not represent the current or the future health inspection status of the food establishments.]
The Philadelphia Health Department conducted a routine health inspection at two Philadelphia restaurants on May 6. Indian Char House and Las Bugambilias were cited for multiple health and safety violations.
WhatNow has reached out to the restaurants for comment and will update the story upon receiving a response.
Indian Char House
When: May 6, 2026
Where: 4612 Woodland Ave, 1st Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19143, United States
Indian Char House is an Indian restaurant in Philadelphia. According to the inspection report, violations noted were:
- Raw fish was being thawed at room temperature. Staff was instructed to thaw fish under cold running water or inside a walk-in cooler at 41°F or below.
- Staff corrected uncovered food storage issues during the inspection.
- Raw lamb was stored above cooked chicken tenders and fries in the reach-in freezer. The report directed staff to keep raw meats away from cooked foods.
- Made-in-house yogurt and tamarindo sauces longer than two days without date labels.
- Opened cheese and repackaged sauces were also not marked with proper dates of opening and discarding. The staff was asked to label all the food items properly.
- The back exit door of the restaurant was left open. The report noted the open door created a potential pest issue. The door was closed during the inspection.
- In the walk-in cooler, the food was stored directly on the floor, and a six-inch gap was not maintained.
- Clean pots and bowls kept in the food prep area were not stored inverted and were also uncovered.
- Staff was reusing single-use containers for food storage.
- One of the handwashing sinks had a loose cold-water faucet. The inspection report noted debris buildup in multiple areas, including along the floors in storage, dishwashing, and food prep areas.
- Two inoperable refrigerators were found in the basement and food prep area.
- During the inspection, one hood filter was missing from the kitchen ventilation hood.
A detailed inspection report is available here.
Las Bugambilias
When: May 6, 2026
Where: 15 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, United States
Las Bugambilias serves Mexican and Veracruz-style cuisine. According to the inspection report, violations included the following:
- The report noted improper bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food. The staff was instructed to use tongs, deli tissues, spatulas, or single-use gloves instead of bare hands to touch ready-to-eat food.
- A bucket and a wiping cloth were kept inside a handwashing sink in the food preparation area. The items were removed during the inspection. Buildup was noted inside the soda gun.
- Several food items were stored at unsafe temperatures between 45°F and 56°F. The staff was advised to store the food items at a required 41°F or lower temperature. Some of the food items were discarded, and other items were placed on ice to cool quickly.
- Two cats were seen in the basement food prep area. One of the cats was found on the shelves in the food prep area, another cat was observed behind a storage shelf.
- The screen on the kitchen door that faced the parking lot was damaged. The door screen was not secure to prevent insects and rodents.
- A tortilla container was kept on the floor instead of at least six inches above it.
- A drawer-style cold prep unit in the food prep area was inoperable.
- Food debris was found on the bottom shelf of the hot holding unit. Brooms and dustpans were left out in various places in the food prep area.
For more information, a detailed inspection report is available here.
Follow-Up Inspection
Both restaurants are required to correct all the violations noted in the inspection report before reinspection. Follow-up inspections will be conducted at both facilities to verify compliance.
