Office of Food Protection from the Health Department conducted health inspections on April 3. Three restaurants were found to have multiple violations with potential risk factors. These violations could pose potential health risks if not addressed.
Please note that the results mentioned here are from a particular inspection conducted on April 3 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the establishments.
Highlights
- Violation of foodborne illness risk factors and good retail practices landed three restaurants in trouble.
- For one of the restaurants, it was a reinspection process. Unresolved violations led to its closure.
- Restaurants are advised to take corrective actions before another round of inspections.
Restaurants in Philadelphia That Could Not Pass Health Inspection
The Philadelphia Health Department is vigilant about the operational processes of the food sector in the area. Safe food practices help maintain public health and prevent foodborne illnesses.
For this, health inspections are conducted at restaurants. In an inspection conducted this Thursday, three restaurants did not have satisfactory performance.
Momoka Ramen & Skewers
- Where: 1619 Grant Ave Store 6, Philadelphia, PA 19115
- When: April 3, 2025
Momoka Restaurant serves Japanese cuisine and bubble tea to residents of Philadelphia. It has two outlets in Philadelphia, one of which failed to pass the health inspection.
As per the inspection report, it was observed that meat was being washed in the three-compartment sink in the kitchen’s ware wash area.
Breaded shrimp were observed uncovered by the inspecting officer in the refrigeration unit. Boiled eggs and meats prepared in the food facility were held for more than 48 hours and were not date-marked.
Frozen food items were directly stored on the floor, and the ice machine bin had pink slime. Food and other debris were found accumulated in freezer unit.
It was observed that wiping cloths were not stored in a sanitizing solution. The report also mentioned that the hood filters had static dust and grease buildup.
Pho Viet Huong
- Where: 2715 S Front St #3, Philadelphia, PA 19148
- When: April 3, 2025
Pho Viet Huong is a family-owned restaurant. It brings Vietnamese cuisine to the palate of Philadelphia residents.
The health inspection at the outlet unveiled a number of violations. The Food Safety certified person could not demonstrate knowledge of the foodborne illnesses to the inspecting officer.
It was seen that raw meat was stored above ready-to-eat food and vegetables in the walk-in cooler. The chlorine concentration of the sanitizing solution was tested and was less than the required 50-100 ppm.
The inspection report mentions that potentially hazardous food was held at 43 to 53 degrees F rather than 41 degrees F or below as required. Customer entry was not properly restricted in the prep area.
One refrigerator in the food prep area was holding food above 41 degrees F. The temperature of the food decreased during the inspection. The use of the unit is restricted by the inspecting officer until it can hold food at 41 degrees F or below.
DJ Kitchen
- Where: 4040 City Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131
- When: April 3, 2025
DJ Kitchen is famous for serving spicy and delicious snacks. During the re-inspection on April 3, following an initial inspection on March 31, multiple violations remained unresolved.
A failure to comply with the standards even after a chance led to the decision to cease operations. The report mentions that sauces like “ranch dressing” were held at room temperature instead of 41 degrees F or below.
There was visible physical evidence of rodent activity (mouse droppings) in the food prep area. The inspecting officer saw that drip at the faucet spout on the work station.
Grease was accumulated on surfaces inside the mechanical exhaust hood, filters, and pipes. The officer asked employees to clean the floors in the food prep area and the hallway floor under storage racks near the restroom.
The Philadelphia Department of Health has ordered all three restaurants to implement corrective actions to eliminate the violations.
After reinspection, the compliance status of the restaurants will be assessed. For DJ Kitchen, the department has ordered closure as it failed the reinspection due to imminent health hazards.
