[Editor’s note: The report mentioned here is from inspections conducted on November 12 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishments.]
The Philadelphia Health Department conducted a series of health inspections at two Philadelphia restaurants on November 12. The department cited Jezabel’s and New London Pizza for multiple health and sanitation violations.
Jezabel’s was cited for mouse droppings, flies, and several food-handling and facility violations. New London Pizza was cited for expired food items, improper food storage, and sanitation and maintenance issues.
WhatNow has reached out to the restaurants for comment and will update the story upon receiving a response.
Jezabel’s
When: November 12, 2026
Where: 206-208 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Jezabel’s is a northwestern Argentine cafe that blends Indigenous Andean traditions with Spanish colonial flavors. According to the inspection report, the violations included:
- The inspection report stated that the person in charge was not separating the prep area from the dining area, and customers were seated in the food preparation area.
- The toilet room for customers was being accessed through a food prep area and had no partition.
- Raw beef was stored above prepared leeks and other food items in the reach-in freezer. The person in charge (PIC) was instructed to remove the improperly stored items. The report also noted that employees were preparing food in an area where customers were dining, with no partition separating the two spaces.
- Chocolate croissants were not protected by a sneeze guard. Employees were instructed to move the tray behind the guard during the inspection.
- The restaurant was using time instead of temperature to store ready-to-eat food safely without any written procedures and records. The report noted that quiche was displayed in the service area without a time and temperature log.
- Several chemical items, Windex and other items, were stored on/above the same shelf with food, equipment, and/or single-use service articles in the service area. The chemical containers were moved during the inspection.
- Mouse droppings (visible physical evidence of rodent activity) were found in the dining area, food prep/warewashing area, and office areas. The report also noted that insects, such as small and large flies, were present in the dining/prep and warewashing areas. Mouse droppings were also observed on top of a bulk food container in the dining area.
- Accumulated dust was observed on multiple surfaces, including prep, dining, and warewashing areas. Food debris was found in the inoperable under-counter area of the refrigerator.
- Exposed food preparation was happening in the restaurant without any effective protection or separation of the food preparation area. Clean dishes and baking pans were not inverted or covered.
- The report mentioned that multiple pieces of equipment were not in good working order. The warewashing machine was not operating properly, and the staff were using the small 3-bay sink for all cleaning of dishes, equipment, and utensils. Along with that, the dining area’s under-counter refrigerator unit was also not operating all the time.
- A lack of sanitizer test strips to monitor QAC sanitizer concentration was also observed. The report stated that the food prep sink drain pipe did not have at least 1 inch above the floor rim of the catch basin for an adequate amount of air gap.
- The employee restroom door was not self-closing. Static dust was observed on the ceiling vent cover in the customer toilet room and on the handwashing sink in the employee toilet room.
- The rear yard did not have covered trash cans. Brooms and dustpans were also stored on the floor instead of on a utility rack.
- Flour dust and debris were found on the floor perimeter in the dining and preparation area. Openings were observed in the dining and prep areas. The report mentioned that the under-counter refrigerator could attract and harbor pests.
- The department also cited unapproved changes to the restaurant’s layout, including allowing customers to dine in the food preparation area without a partition and requiring them to pass through that area to reach the restroom. The report also noted that the dough roller lacked the required protection.
A detailed inspection report is available here.
Follow-Up Inspection
Due to rodent and insect infestation, the restaurant was ordered to close its operations. The establishment cannot operate for a minimum of 48 hours and cannot reopen until the required fee is paid and the Department approves its reopening. Before the follow-up inspection, the restaurant is required to correct all major violations.
New London Pizza
When: November 12, 2026
Where: 7230 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19135
New London Pizza is a local, casual pizzeria that offers a variety of specialty and gourmet pizzas. The violations noted in the official inspection report are the following:
- The report noted that the handwashing sink in the restroom area had an empty paper towel dispenser.
- Multiple cakes, including plain cheesecake (4), banana pudding (4), carrot cake (4), Oreo cake (4), double chocolate cake (4), and strawberry shortcake (3), had expired on November 3. The items had expired on November 3, and the person in charge was instructed to discard them.
- The three-compartment sink was improperly set up, and food debris was found in the rinse and sanitizing bays. The PIC restocked the sink during the inspection.
- Accumulated food debris was found on the slicer. The food contact surface was not being washed, rinsed, and sanitized at least every 4 hours. The can opener also had an accumulation of food residue on the food contact surfaces. The dough mixer was also not washed and rinsed properly and had food debris inside.
- Commercially processed, ready-to-eat food, including lunch meat and cheese, was opened and had no date marking indicating when it was opened. The items were located in the walk-in cooler and under-counter refrigerator. The staff were instructed to put dates on all the items.
- Unlabeled storage containers of bulk food ingredients were observed in the facility.
- House flies were found in the basement area. The report noted that the basement door has gaps.
- Uncovered bulk ingredient containers were stored in the prep and storage area. Moist wiping cloths were observed lying on the prep table, instead of being stored in a sanitizing solution.
- Soiled dishes were found inside the preparation sink. The report mentioned that the restaurant was using cardboard lining in several reach-in refrigerators and pickup areas. Deep scratches and scoring marks were also noted on the cutting boards, which restricted effective cleaning and sanitizing.
- Grease and dust accumulation were found on the cooking area shelving. The lid of the chest freezer in the retail area had rust.
- Dusty gaskets were found on the reach-in refrigerator units in the retail area. Accumulated food debris was observed in the microwave area.
- The restaurant stored empty cardboard boxes on the basement floor, and porous ceiling tiles were found in the cooking area. Maintenance tools were left on the floor in the warewashing area.
- Under the exhaust hood, two lights were out, and accumulated grease and dust were observed under the exhaust hood in the cooking and baking area. The ceiling-cover ventilation and standing fan in the pickup area had static dust.
For more information, a detailed inspection report is available here.
Follow-Up Inspection
The restaurant was cited for its unsatisfactory condition. The restaurant is required to correct all the violations identified in the inspection report before reinspection. A reinspection will be conducted at the restaurant to verify compliance.
