During a routine inspection by the Philadelphia Health Department, two eateries were cited for health code violations, including unclean conditions and maintenance issues. One of the establishments was ordered to cease operations.
Please note that the reports mentioned here are from an inspection conducted on September 16, 2025, and may not represent the future health inspection status of the establishments.
Highlights
- Two eateries in Philadelphia were cited for health code violations during a recent inspection.
- Rodent droppings and unclean environments were reported during the inspection.
- One eatery was ordered to cease operations, while the other needs to correct the violations before the follow-up inspection.
Almyra
- Where: 1636 Chancellor St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
- When: September 16, 2025
Almyra on Chancellor Street was inspected on September 16, where several health code violations were documented. Inspectors first noted an employee’s beverage container left open in the cold prep refrigerator near the hot prep area.
The inspector noted that employees were not wearing beard restraints. Employees towel-dried dishes and equipment after cleaning and sanitizing. There was no sign or poster at the handwash sink to remind food employees to wash their hands.
The person in charge of the premises did not post “No Smoking” signs or other appropriate warning signs in the restaurant. This included a warning sign regarding the dangers of consuming alcoholic beverages during pregnancy.
There was uncovered food in the cold prep refrigerator at the hot prep line. Uncovered foods were also in the under-counter refrigerators in the cold prep line. The single service straws were stored on the bar without a sneeze guard or protection from patron contamination.
At the hot prep line, utensils were stored in standing water. Common bowls or food containers lacking handles were in direct contact with bulk food ingredients. In the bar area, the food-dispensing utensil was in direct contact with food and lacked a handle.
On the interior of the ice machine, there was pink slime and slight black residue, which needs professional cleaning. The preset tableware was not covered, wrapped, inverted, or protected from contamination. In the warewashing area, chemicals were above the three-basin sink instead of being stored beneath to prevent contamination.
There were deep scratches and scoring on the cutting board, which made effective cleaning a challenge. In the storage area, there was a dented canned item. In the prep area, the shelves and equipment were lined with aluminum. In the bar area, the reach-in freezer was not NSF/ANSI certified.
The handwashing sink in the bar area did not have cold water present. There was a leak in the basin of the bar area’s handwashing sink. Inspectors were unable to find the location of the backflow preventer on the main water line. There was damage on the floor near the side door exit to the alley.
There was dust accumulating in the water lines behind the ice machine. Meanwhile, debris was accumulating on the bathroom floor, utility closet floor, and floor near the water heaters. There were squeegees on the floor beside the ice machine.
Inspectors found ice accumulating on the interior of the reach-in freezer in the cold prep line. Grease and debris were on the interior lower tray or cabinet beneath the deep fryers. There was grease on the floor behind the hot prep line. There was standing water on the floor in the hot prep line area and in the bar area.
A detailed health report of this inspection of Almyra Restaurant is available online.
The Turkish Brew
- Where: 1444 N 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
- When: September 16, 2025
Located on 7th Street, inspectors found multiple health code violations at The Turkish Brew on September 16. The report documenting these violations begins by stating that no person with a valid food safety certificate was present during the inspection. The establishment could not present records of the source for pastry items.
The completed Plan Review Application was not submitted before alterations began at the establishment. The inspectors shared the details of the procedure in the report.
Mouse droppings were found in several areas of the facility, including the lower shelving of the pastry display plate. It was found near the floor of the front cashier counter area and underneath the shelving surfaces in the basement storage areas. In the basement storage area, it was on top of bulk ingredients on the lower shelving surfaces.
Inspectors found mouse droppings on opened containers of dry pastry ingredients in the basement storage area. The facility did not use an appropriate sanitizer to sanitize the food contact surfaces.
There were no test strips available in the eatery to monitor sanitizer concentration. The facility used common bowls and food containers for bulk food ingredients. The containers of bulk food ingredients did not have the common name of the food. In the front serving/prep area, there was a non-NSF/ANSI-approved microwave and mini-freezer.
The dust pan and broom were left idle on the floor rather than being hung properly. The mop was left idle inside the mop bucket instead of being properly hung to air dry. There was clutter and unclean equipment in the basement storage and downstairs lounge areas.
There were dead bugs, dust, and debris on the floor of the downstairs lounge area. There was debris and dust on the floor underneath the 3-bay ware washing sink and the basement storage areas.
A detailed health report of this inspection of The Turkish Brew is available online.
Follow-Up Inspection
The two eateries must correct the violations to avoid permit suspension by the authorities. The Turkish Cafe has been issued to cease operations for a minimum of 48 hours. This is until the Department approves that it is fit to resume operations and the management pays the required fees.
The department requires eateries to correct violations to protect public health and avoid further enforcement actions.
