[Editor’s note: The report mentioned here is from an inspection conducted on October 21 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishment.]
The Philadelphia Department of Health recently conducted a routine health inspection at Baltimore Avenue’s Clarkville and Market Street’s Ogawa Sushi & Kappo. The inspection revealed mouse and cockroach infestations at Clarkville, and sanitation issues, including an ill-equipped handwash sink at Ogawa Sushi & Kappo.
Clarkville
Where: 4301 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
When: October 21, 2025
Clarkville is a casual bar and pizza restaurant that offers a range of beverages and menu options. The restaurant offers a casual and comfortable atmosphere.
On October 21, the Philadelphia Department of Health/Office of Food Protection cited the restaurant for multiple violations in a routine inspection. During the inspection, the officials noted a dead mouse and oriental cockroaches on traps in the basement and mouse droppings on the basement floor and in the restroom on the second floor.
According to the official report, the person in charge of the restaurant did not know the names of the five foodborne illnesses, knowledge required by the department. This violation was corrected on-site during the inspection.
The officials also reported blocked handwash sinks in the bar area on the first and second floors; soap, an air-drying device, and single-use towels were also missing at the sink area. The restroom also lacked a trash can.
The report also noted black residue inside the ice machine bin around the damper; moreover, the ice machine was kept in the basement beneath an unfinished ceiling and lacked adequate ceiling protection.
The official inspection report also noted a residue of chlorine chemical sanitizer in the final sanitizer rinse cycle of the low-temperature sanitizing dishwasher. The report specifies that the required chlorine level measured is 50-100 ppm, while the restaurants measured only 0 ppm.
The report further mentioned two cutting boards with deep scratches and scoring marks, a puddle of water and debris observed inside the chest refrigerator, and dripping water from the three-bay sink.
For more information, the detailed inspection report is available here.
Follow-up Inspection
The official inspection report highlighted multiple issues that need to be addressed to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. The compliance of the restaurant will be assessed upon reinspection.
Ogawa Sushi & Kappo
- Where: 310 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
- When: October 21, 2025
Located on Market Street, Ogawa Sushi & Kappo is a high-end Japanese restaurant that offers a unique dining experience. The restaurant menu features special dishes crafted by the chef’s creative vision and seasonal ingredients.
During a routine inspection on October 21, the Japanese restaurant Ogawa Sushi & Kappo was cited for multiple violations. The Philadelphia Department of Health/Office of Food Protection issued an official inspection report, which mentioned several sanitation code violations.
The inspection report mentioned improper handwashing procedures: an employee was using single-use gloves without washing their hands, and another employee was washing their hands at the food prep sink rather than using the designated handwash sink.
The officials noted a blocked handwash sink in the rear food prep area; old food residue was also observed in the handwash sink in the rear food prep area, and a single-use food container without a handle was used to scoop a food item (flour).
During the inspection, potentially hazardous food (raw sushi) was stored inside the undercounter refrigerator. The food item was held at 45°F rather than 41°F or lower, as required in the sushi bar area. Furthermore, tofu, cheese, cod, sliced vegetables, and radish were also stored in the top section of the cold prep unit.
The inspection report also mentioned that the establishment stored chemicals above/on the same shelf as food, equipment, and single-service articles in the rear food preparation area.
The inspection report mentioned that the restaurant failed to provide a valid food license. Inspectors advised the restaurant operator to contact the Department of Licenses and Inspections for renewal, as the license is required to operate a food establishment in Philadelphia.
The complete inspection report is available online.
Follow-up Inspection
After the official inspection, the department ordered the restaurant to obtain a City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health Food Establishment Personnel Food Safety Certificate. The restaurant must apply and pay the associated fee within 30 days of the inspection.
If the restaurant does not comply with the corrective measures mentioned in the inspection report, it may result in an intent to cease operation order issued against the establishment.
The Philadelphia Department of Health instructed both Clarkville and Ogawa Sushi & Kappo to address the cited health code violations before their reinspection. These routine inspections offer an insight into the conditions of these establishments and further give them a chance to improve safety standards.
