Phila. eateries closed for health violations

For the second time this year, a "heavy mouse infestation" and a staggering list of basic health violations prompted the Philadelphia health department to ask a Sichuan Chinese restaurant near the Belmont Reservoir to close temporarily.

Chun Hing, in the 4100 block of Monument Road, was cited for 39 violations last week. Many of the infractions found May 12 echoed those found in a mid-February inspection: fresh rodent droppings throughout the kitchen, inadequate handwashing by employees, food thawing at room temperature, filthy dish racks and an ice machine held together with duct tape.

On a positive note, the latest evaluation marked a slight improvement over February's when Chun Hing was hit with 40 violations and asked to cease and desist.

In Center City, mice seem to love their bright orange snack food. A health inspector asked the 7-Eleven at 9th and Market Streets to shut down for 48 hours after finding five bags of rodent-gnawed Cheetos for sale. The inspector discovered three dead mice in the basement but did not note if their tiny paws had been stained orange. The convenience store closed for "emergency maintenance" for two days and was reopened by the weekend.

The eateries listed below were inspected between May 4 and May 14. Each inspection is generally regarded as a "snapshot in time," not necessarily a reflection of day-to-day conditions at the business.

Included with each listing is an edited selection of infractions noted by health department sanitarians. Click on the restaurant's name to see a detailed report.

To look up a restaurant or read more in the Inquirer's Clean Plates series visit Philly.com/cleanplates.

Butter's Soul Food
2730 W GIRARD AVE 19130
8 violations, 2 serious.
Persistent roach infestation; box of chicken thawing at room temperature on basement prep table. Inspected May 13.

Subway
2920 ROBERTS AVE 19129
1 violation, 1 serious.
Food safety certified person not present. Inspected May 12.

Chun Hing
4160 MONUMENT RD 19131
39 violations, 13 serious.
Person in charge not present; heavy mouse infestation, fresh droppings on shelves, counters, plates and food containers; handwashing inadequate, employee seen touching face multiple times without washing hands; employee medicines and hygiene products stored in prep area; food (shrimp) thawing at room temperature; employees not wearing hair restraints; filthy dish racks; ice machine held together with duct tape; heavy grease and grime accumulations on all food equipment ; defective urinal in men's room; overflowing waste oil barrels; single use gloves used for multiple tasks without being changed, some employees not wearing gloves at all. Previously ordered to cease and desist Feb. 16. Inspected May 12.

7-Eleven

932 MARKET ST 19107
11 violations, 4 serious.
Following foods were found gnawed: 5 bags of Cheetos; 1 bag of mini-sneakers, 2 bags of popcorn, 1 Milky Way candybar; mouse droppings on retail shelves, on candy bars, along perimeter of storage area; three dead mice in basement. 48-hour closure ordered. Inspected May 12.

K Diner
5717 RISING SUN AVE. 19120
33 violations, 12 serious.
Food safety certified person not present; no soap or paper towels at handwash sink; expired milk held in refrigerator; accumulated debris on food slicer; mold in ice machine; food held at temperatures known to promote grown of toxic bacteria; rodent feces along floor perimeter and on shelves in storage room; defective refrigeration units. Inspected May 11.

New York Gyro Lunch Cart
3300 ARCH ST 19104
9 violations, 7 serious.
Food safety certified person not present; no hot water; employee did not follow proper handwashing procedures; employee not wearing hair restraint. Inspected May 11.

El Coqui Grocery
2901 N HOWARD ST 19133
17 violations, 6 serious.
No hot water; Food safety certified person not on premises; no sneeze guard at steamtable to protect from contamination; accumulated debris on slicer; price tag covering expiration date on baby food; flies in retail area. Inspected May 10.

Read & Eat
6156 RIDGE AVE 19128
8 violations, 2 serious.
Food safety certified person not on premises; no soap or paper towels at basement sink. Inspected May 10.

Little Caesar's
2400 W PASSYUNK AVE 19145
5 violations, 2 serious.
Mouse droppings on kitchen food prep table, food storage container lids, food cart, along floor perimeter in kitchen; live baby mouse on kitchen glue board; dead roaches on kitchen floor. Inspected May 9.

Carnival Pizza
4222 LANCASTER AVE 19104
34 violations, 9 serious.
Food safety certified person not present; inaccessible handwashing sink; slicer is filthy, old encrusted food debris; food contact surfaces need cleaning; heavy grease/crud accumulation on drying rack; food held at temperatures known to promote growth of toxic bacteria; thermometers not available; employees not wearing hair restraints; heavy grease and grime and food debris inside refrigeration units; filthy outdoor refuse area. Previously asked to discontinue operations on Feb. 9. Reinspected May 9.

Salvatore's Grocery
1838 S 17TH ST 19145
9 violations, 2 serious.
Uncovered deli meats in refrigeration unit; numerous mouse droppings on food prep counter and food storage shelves in retail area; floors need cleaning throughout. Inspected May 6.

Saigon Maxim Restaurant
612 WASHINGTON AVE 19147
28 violations, 8 serious.
Soap not available at handwash sink; foods not covered in walk-in units; walk-in refrigerator not clean; mouse feces on slicer, slicer worktable and food prep work table; fish sauce stored in reused scallops container; toilet room fixtures are not clean; kitchen floors not clean. Inspected May 6.

The Boyler Room
328 SOUTH ST 19147
20 violations, 9 serious.
Employee's food safety certification expired; hot and cold water unavailable at kitchen handsinks; food uncovered in walk-in cooler; severe mouse infestation, mouse droppings on sandwich prep units, shelving, floors; water of unknown origin leaking from ceiling; inadequately chilled walk-in refrigerator; encrusted food debris and grease on cookline; debris and rubbish on basement floors. Inspected May 4.

New Market
1800 S 17TH ST 19145
22 violations, 9 serious.
No food safety certified person on premises; employee observed eating food in kitchen area; improper handwashing, soap and warm water not used; empty paper towel dispensers in kitchen and toilet; mouse droppings on food prep table, kitchen floor, along retail area perimeter; uncovered food (fried bananas, egg rolls) for sale. Inspected May 4.

Uceta Grocery
6053 ELMWOOD AVE 19142
1 serious violation.
No person in charge on duty.

Dunkin Donuts
5680 RISING SUN AVE 19120
23 violations, 7 serious.
No valid food license; person-in-charge did not know the foodborne-illnesses policy and reporting procedure; expired milk in walk-in refrigerator; fruit flies, pest treatment needed; employees not wearing hair restraints. Inspected May 4.

samwood@phillynews.com
215-854-2796
@samwoodiii