The Philadelphia Department of Health’s Office of Food Protection conducted inspections on May 5, 2025, and cited four restaurants in the city for several health code violations. All the establishments now face deadlines to rectify these problems or face the potential loss of their licenses for the safety of public health.
Highlights
- Multiple infractions were discovered at four Philadelphia restaurants during the May 5th inspections.
- Rodent infestations were observed at two facilities, including Mayflower Bakery Café.
- The Angelo Pizza did not have a food safety certification.
Four Restaurants in Philadelphia Were Cited for Violations
Upon completion of inspections, the four food facilities were formally cited for non-compliance with health regulations. The inspections verified a series of health code violations that tested food safety practices and public health.
Fortune Chinese Restaurant
The restaurant was cited for widespread cross-contamination and equipment sanitation issues.
Where: 1828 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
When: May 5, 2025
Certain observations included raw chicken stacked on top of ready-to-eat foods in a walk-in cooler, opened commercially prepared ready-to-eat food without date marking, non-NSF-certified equipment such as chest freezers and rice cookers, grease accumulation on shelving and storage racks, and food-crusted refrigeration handles.
The staff was asked to move the raw chicken to avoid cross-contamination, initiate a proper date marking system, update non-approved equipment, and clean all surfaces thoroughly.
The establishment is in unsatisfactory compliance and will need to remedy the infractions. There should be a valid food license in place, as their existing one expired on April 30, 2025.
Mayflower Bakery Café
Inspectors recognized a recurring presence of rodents and improper pest control methods at Mayflower Bakery Café.
Where: 1008 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
When: May 5, 2025
The inspectors found mouse droppings in several places, such as below the display case, on shelving spaces, and in storage in the basement. Moreover, rodenticide packets were left open in inappropriate storage areas. The front door was propped open, and holes in the basement door allowed for pest intrusion. Additionally, employees’ vapes and cigarettes were stored above the prep table.
The inspection indicated an unsatisfactory compliance status and necessitated corrective measures before reinspection. The facility has been instructed to remove rodent infestation, use rodenticide in covered, tamper-resistant bait stations as per correct instructions, seal all pest entry points, and remove smoking products from food preparation areas.
Mi Rancho Mexican Grill
Several food safety risks were discovered due to breakdowns in temperature control and equipment cleanliness.
Where: 5498 Oxford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19124
When: May 5, 2025
At the inspection, the facility was observed to have a food slicer with food residue on it, no handwashing reminder signs, and the rear door exit propped open with no protective screens. Furthermore, the walk-in freezer did not maintain the proper temperature (74°F read). The cutting boards used for prep were also scratched too deeply to be properly cleaned.
Instructions for remedying these issues included sanitizing and cleaning food equipment regularly, posting handwashing reminder signs, keeping doors closed or properly screened, and repairing the freezer to hold at 0°F, in addition to replacing broken cutting boards.
The facility demonstrates poor compliance and has not been approved for mobile food vending activities until the walk-in freezer is fixed.
The Angelo Pizza
The facility fell short of necessary food safety certification and demonstrated evidence of pest infestation.
Where: 229 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
When: May 5, 2025
The eatery did not have a valid Food Establishment Personnel Food Safety Certificate. The inspectors also noticed mouse droppings along the edge of the floor at the cashier station, under the handwashing sink, and in the kitchen prep area. The facility also has plumbing leaks under the 3-bay ware washing sink and a hole in the wall in the rear hallway.
The establishment needs to take remedial measures to achieve satisfactory compliance, with a particular focus on acquiring proper food safety certification within 30 days to prevent an order of closure. Other corrective actions include obtaining a Philadelphia Food Safety Certificate within 30 days, exterminating the current rodent infestation, in addition to repairing the plumbing leak and sealing the wall hole.
The Philadelphia Department of Health continues to implement food safety regulations through routine inspections. All four establishments need to rectify violations promptly or risk possible license revocation and further legal action.
