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Fork, High Street on Market, and a popular Starbucks temporarily closed by health dept.

Thirteen restaurants, markets and stores that were temporarily closed by Philadelphia Department of Public Health inspectors.

Clean Plates
Clean PlatesRead moreStaff

Just two weeks into the New Year, there are a few familiar names on the list of 13 restaurants, markets and stores that were temporarily closed by Philadelphia Department of Public Health inspectors between Jan. 1 and Jan. 15. Among the closures were Fork and High Street on Market (they share a kitchen), which have received 4 bells and 3 bells respectively from Inquirer Food Critic Craig LaBan, as well as a Wawa and a Starbucks.

The inspectors visit nearly 1,000 eateries and food retailers every two weeks. Each inspection is generally regarded as a snapshot in time, and not necessarily a reflection of day-to-day conditions. Most violations were corrected immediately in the presence of an inspector.

To look up reports on a specific Philadelphia restaurant, or a Montgomery, Bucks or Gloucester County eatery, visit philly.com/cleanplates.

A list of eateries that were closed, or are facing court dates, follows:

Holistic Health Suite & Cafe
6802 Old York Rd.
7 violations, 4 serious
There was a request for an emergency inspection by L&I due to water flooding in the basement; there was no food safety certificate provided; the food facility did not have a Health Awareness Reporting Procedure for food employees; salad, cheese, and cut vegetables were held at improper temperatures; there was no exhaust hood for the electric grill.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Jan. 13.

Jonalis Grocery Store Inc
315 N 52nd St.
16 violations, 5 serious
A container of mayo was found uncovered inside the deli case; frozen chicken, beef steaks, and other frozen food items were uncovered inside the reach-in freezer; eggs were not held at the proper temperature; the food safety person not initially present; a domestic microwave was found; floors, walls, and ceiling were in need of repair; an unauthorized person who stated that they are not an employee of the establishment was seen in kitchen/food prep area; employees were not wearing or wearing ineffective hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard restraints.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, the establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected Jan. 11.

Al Salam Pizza
5101 Germantown Ave.
32 violations; 10 serious
Food including raw bacon, eggs, and cooked chicken were not held at proper temperatures; soiled fly strips were found over the prep table in the rear storage area; the plumbing was inadequate; a drain pipe was severely clogged; wastewater was seen overflowing on to floors; there were several uncovered frozen, cooked, and raw foods found in the food prep area, ice cream freezer, and walk-in cooler; there was food debris in the microwave; the deli meat slicers, meat grinder, and meat saw had an accumulation of food residue on the food contact surfaces and was not being washed, rinsed and sanitized at least every four hours; chemicals were stored above and on the same shelf with single service articles in the rear storage area; food employees were not wearing or wearing ineffective hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard restraints.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Jan. 11.

Pemberton Grocery
615 S 56th St.
30 violations, 9 serious
An "out of order" sign was found on the toilet room door; sludge was found in the toilet bowl; roach fragment found in the rinse compartment of ware washing sinks; fly paper found above ware washing sinks; flatware being washed at the hand sink; pail, plunger, scouring pad and sponge found in hand washing sink; scouring pads were found stuffed in gaps in the door of cold-holding unit; old mouse droppings and dust found on shelves in retail area; the person in charge could not produce food safety certificate or demonstrate knowledge of food borne illnesses; employee clothing found stored above and hanging into the sanitizing compartment of the ware washing sinks; a non-commercial exhaust fan was found in food prep area.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, the establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected Jan. 10.

Reen's Deli
12319 Academy Rd
19 violations, 6 serious
Mouse droppings were found on equipment on the bottom shelf of ware washing drying racks, cabinets, cardboard liners storing snack bags of food in retail area, along walls behind equipment, and floors throughout facility; severely dented and distressed canned item found in basement storage area; a cellphone and personal items were being stored on meat slicing equipment; food including bacon and chili was not held at the correct temperatures; the basement door in the food facility did not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, the establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected Jan. 9.

Asif Khan/Philly Hala Gyros/#V00878
1500 Walnut St.
10 violations, 5 serious
There was no hot water in the unit; tomatoes and fish were not held at proper temperatures; chicken was stored in non-food grade bags; there was grease accumulation under deep fryer; food debris was found on top of container covers and in the hand wash sink; cutting boards had deep scratches and scoring which did not allow for effective cleaning and sanitizing; a food certified person was not present during inspection.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Jan. 9.

Wawa
801 Cottman Ave.
7 violations, 2 serious
An employee did not wash hands with hot water between changing gloves and tasks; sufficient hot water was not available at the hand wash sinks throughout the food prep area and ware washing area; residue and debris were found on some equipment surfaces, counter areas and cabinets/shelves including the coffee station surfaces and rear microwave; there were gaps and holes around some utility lines; a light bulb in the retail cold-hold unit was not shielded from breakage.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, the establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected Jan. 9.

Fork/High Street Restaurant
306 Market St.
17 violations, 4 serious
Whole loaves of bread were found stored open on shelving next to a high traffic area in a walkway leading to the restrooms and not protected from contamination via sneeze guard; Chow-Chow, or vegetable relish, that was prepared and vacuum sealed in the food facility was found in the walk-in cooler in basement and was not properly labeled/date marked; some of the refrigeration units on the Fork side did not have thermometers; bulk food ingredient storage containers in basement were not labeled with the common name of the food; clean water glasses were not inverted on the shelves; preset tableware was not covered, wrapped inverted or otherwise protected from contamination; the hot water in all three restroom hand sinks, High Street front prep area, and in back ware washing area did not reach the required temperature.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Jan. 9.

Update: the facility was granted "orders to reopen" the next day, according to a city inspection report.

The Dollar General
600 E Chelten Ave.
14 violations, 4 serious
The facility was operating in unsanitary condition and had a severe mouse infestation; shelves had mouse droppings, heavy dust accumulation, and food debris throughout the retail and rear storage areas; there were expired baby foods found; severely dented and distressed canned items were found; there were adulterated bags of pet food and potato chips found; brooms, mops, and dustpans were stored directly on the floor and not elevated on a utility rack; concrete floors were not sealed.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, the establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected Jan. 8.

Pat's Cafe
4690 Castor Ave.
12 violations, 2 serious
A sewage leak was found in the basement; a leak was found underneath the hand wash sink in the food preparation area; black residue was found on the interior of the ice machine bin; mouse droppings were found on the floor and on top of the fridge in the preparation area; there was no toilet paper in the men's room; there was an accumulation of static dust fund on the exhaust hood in the preparation area; there were damaged floor tiles were observed throughout the facility.
This inspection has revealed that the establishment is not in satisfactory compliance. Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Jan. 8.

Fine Fare Supermarket
625 W Girard Ave.
15 violations, 5 serious
The facility had a license for prepackaged foods but there was cut lettuce, pickles and mayonnaise found in cold hold unit in deli area; the facility was told to discontinue sandwich making or submit a change ownership application; repackaged meats in the reach-in freezer were not labeled; cigarette butts were found on the floor in the storage area; hand wash sink in the deli area didn't have soap; the thermometers for several refrigerators were missing; food employees observed not wearing or wearing ineffective hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard restraints.
This inspection has revealed that the establishment is not in satisfactory compliance. Corrective action is required to eliminate these violations. Facility changed operation from prepackaged food to food preparation. Discontinue food preparation or submit Change Operation/Change Ownership application. Inspected Jan. 3.

New California Style Pizza
3231 Powelton Ave.
15 violations 7 serious
A food employee was seen touching ready-to-eat burgers with his bare hands; the hand wash sink in prep area was defective and not working; there was no soap or paper towels available at the hand wash sink; fresh mouse droppings were found on shelves in the food prep area, along the floor perimeters, on food equipment in the rear storage area, on a bag of flour and on delivery boxes; severely dented, swollen, distressed canned items were found in food prep/ware washing area; raw chicken and vegetables were found uncovered in the refrigerator and walk-in cooler.
Due to imminent health hazards observed during this inspection, the establishment was issued a Cease Operations Order and must discontinue food operations immediately. The establishment could not operate for a minimum of 48 hours. Inspected Jan. 3.

Starbucks Coffee
1001 Chestnut St.
5 violations, 2 serious
There was no hot water in the hand wash sinks; some coffee debris and dust was found on the floor in the ware wash area; cleaning tools were not properly elevated; the food safety person was not in the facility at the start of the inspection.
Due to conditions observed during the inspection, the establishment agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until approved by the Department to resume operations. Inspected Jan. 2.

Eateries scheduled for hearing in the Court of Common Pleas on Jan. 16.
Pemberton Grocery, 615 S 56TH ST.; Jonalis Grocery Store, 315 N 52ND ST.; Sanchez Mini Market, 4630 CHESTNUT ST.; Graham's Pub and JK Beer to Go, 8919 RIDGE AVE.; Franklin's, 3521 BOWMAN ST.; South Street Pizzeria, 1410 SOUTH ST.; The Black Taxi, 745 N 25TH ST.; Kingsessing Food Market, 1550 S 55TH ST.

Eateries scheduled for hearing in the Court of Common Pleas on Jan. 18.
Family Dollar Store #6929, 6555 GREENE ST.