The Philadelphia Department of Health inspected three restaurants in the city on May 6, 2025, and found several health code violations. Each of the three restaurants, Cafe Rokhat, Juana Tamale, and Tiffin Bistro, was cited for multiple violations, including failure to provide a valid Food Establishment Personnel Food Safety Certificate.
Please note that the scores mentioned here are from a particular inspection conducted on May 6 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the establishments.
Highlights
- Cafe Rokhat received the most violations, with six risk factor/intervention violations and four repeat violations.
- Evidence of rodent or insect activity was present in all three establishments.
- Notifications were issued to each restaurant stating that failure to comply would lead to the revocation of their licenses.
Three Philadelphia Eateries Cited for Serious Health Code Violations
The health department’s Office of Food Protection reported issues that varied from subpar food storage and poor sanitizing to pest control issues. The inspection reports detail that all three establishments are required to take corrective measures to meet satisfactory compliance.
The temperature readings of frozen and refrigerated foods were within safe margins in all the locations. However, other key food safety protocols showed severe deficiencies that needed to be addressed immediately.
Cafe Rokhat
- Where: 2481-2483 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114
- When: May 6, 2025 (11:40 AM – 2:00 PM)
Among the three, Cafe Rokhat showed the most serious health code violations, with six being risk factor/intervention violations. Four repeat violations of improper food separation, such as inadequate sanitization of food-contact surfaces, improper date marking, and a lack of consumer advisory for undercooked food, were also observed at the establishment.
Physical evidence of rodent and cockroach infestation was also observed. Several equipment issues included unclean slicers, dirty food preparation sinks, aluminum foil placed on cooking equipment, and raw wood used as drying racks.
Juana Tamale
- Where: 1941 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
- When: May 6, 2025 (2:30 PM – 4:35 PM)
This Fear Foods Co.-owned eatery showed better compliance but still had many citations against it, including three risk factor/intervention infractions, with one being a repeat infraction. Certain infractions were addressed on-site by staff, including the submission of their application for the Food Safety Certificate.
Furthermore, the chlorine level in the sanitizing solution was zero ppm rather than the required 50-100 ppm, but was addressed at the time of inspection. Fruit flies were seen in the basement storage area, and plastic utensils were not stored properly. Excessive storage in basement areas and maintenance equipment on the floor were also seen.
Tiffin Bistro
- Where: 1100 Federal St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
- When: May 6, 2025 (11:45 AM – 1:40 PM)
This Indian restaurant, operated by Tiffin Bistro LLC, uncovered the same problems of non-compliance as Juana Tamale. Handwashing sinks took readings of hot water at 78.6°F, lower than required, though this was addressed during the inspection.
Evidence of rodent infestation included mouse droppings on shelves and floors, as well as dead cockroaches in glue traps, found in the utility closet. Open windows presented potential means of pest entry, and various light fixtures around the kitchen were inoperative.
These inspections highlight critical food safety violations in three Philadelphia restaurants. All of these establishments must correct their violations promptly or face potential license revocation. Follow-up inspections have been scheduled. However, no dates have been specified.
