Almaz Ethiopian Cafe
Last inspected: May 6, 2025
74
Score
Going back to 2023, Almaz Ethiopian Cafe has three inspections in the public record. The newest entry in the record is dated May 6, 2025. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around four violations, down from roughly nine violations earlier in the record.
“Non-food contact surfaces clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
Compared to the broader Philadelphia restaurant scene, this is about average. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
3
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 6, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Proper cold holding temperature
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: -Milk was held at 52 rather than 45 degrees F or below as required. Corrective action was taken and milk was discarded and beef was relocated to walk-in cooler. -Beef was held at 48 degrees F rather than 41 degrees F or below as required. Corrective action was taken and food was relocated to walk-in cooler.
46.385(a)(2)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector notes: -Toaster is not NSF/ANSI approved. -Torn door gasket observed around under counter refrigerator door. -Under Counter refrigerator and basement reach in refrigerator does not keep temperatures of 41 degree F or below. Discontinue operation until fixed. -Milk crates observed being used to elevate walk-in compressor. New Violation.
46.671
Non-food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: -Accumulation of ice and food residue observed on interior surfaces of ice cream freezer. -Dust observed on shelving and counters behind and under food equipment. -Residue observed on refrigerator door gaskets. -Mineral build up observed on ice machine water pump surfaces. New Violation.
46.714
Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean
Inspector notes: -Debris observed on floor between equipment. -Dust observed on ceiling in customer area. New Violation.
46.981(a)(b)(c)(g)(n)
74
May 1, 2024
Routine
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
Proper cold holding temperature
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: -Slaw, and turkey was held at 48 degrees F rather than 41 degrees F or below as required. -Milk held at 53 degrees F, rather than 45 degrees F or below as required. *Corrective action was taken and food was relocated to walk-in cooler. Unit was taken out of service.
46.385(a)(2)
Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the preparation area. Person in Charge took corrective action and provided paper towels.
46.981(h)
Proper date marking & disposition
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Cheese and deli meat, opened commercially processed ready to eat food, located in the cold hold, and held more than 48 hours, was not marked with the date it was opened. Person in Charge took corrective action and date marked items.
46.385(b)
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Black residue, pink slime observed on the interior of the ice machine bin around the baffle plate and components. Person in Charge took corrective action and burned ice, washed, rinsed and sanitized surfaces.
46.712
Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean
Inspector notes: Debris observed on floor between equipment. New Violation.
46.981(a)(b)(c)(g)(n)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector notes: -Toaster is not NSF/ANSI approved. -Torn door gasket observed around under counter refrigerator door. -Under Counter refrigerator does not keep temperatures of 41 degree F or below. New Violation.
46.671
Non-food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Accumulation of food residue observed on interior surfaces of ice cream freezer, cold hold unit, and coffee preparation under-counter refrigerator. New Violation.
46.714
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: Accumulation of dust observed in vents. New Violation.
46.981(b)(i)
47
May 17, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 8 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 10 violations
Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Hot water was not observed in basement food preparation area. Person in Charge took corrective action and turned hot water on.
46.981(h)
Food separated & protected
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Uncovered fruit observed in freezer. Person in Charge took corrective action and covered fruit.
46.281
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: Moist wiping cloths observed lying on sinks edge and not stored in sanitizing solution. New Violation.
46.304
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried & handled
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Clean utensil observed were not stored inverted with handles facing up. Person in Charge took corrective action and covered items.
46.774
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector notes: Gasket for under counter refrigerator located in coffee preparation area is not in good repair. New Violation.
46.582
Non-food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Accumulation of ice observed in ice cream freezer. New Violation.
46.714
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: Leak observed in hot water knob in basement handwash sink. New Violation.
46.825(b)-(e)
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: Condensation pipe from walk-in cooler is dripping into a bucket on the ground. New Violation.
46.862
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: Accumulation of dust observed in vents. New Violation.
46.981(b)(i)
Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean
Inspector notes: -Cracked and damaged floor tiles observed in preparation area and warewash area. -Missing ceiling tiles in basement storage area and above walk-in cooler. New Violation.
46.921
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Almaz Ethiopian Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Almaz Ethiopian Cafe on file is from May 6, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Almaz Ethiopian Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “non-food contact surfaces clean” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Almaz Ethiopian Cafe.
Has Almaz Ethiopian Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Almaz Ethiopian Cafe have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Almaz Ethiopian Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Almaz Ethiopian Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Almaz Ethiopian Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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