Banana Leaf

1009 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Southeast Asian
Last inspected: Dec 2, 2025
78
Score
Low Risk

Banana Leaf has been inspected four times since 2025. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 2, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around eight violations to closer to five violations per visit.

The pattern that stands out is “non-food contact surfaces clean”, which has been cited four times.

Banana Leaf's latest score of 78 sits above the Philadelphia average of 72. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 2, 2025
Reinspection
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: - Observed containers of food items stored on the floor surfaces, rather than 6 inches above the floor, in the walk-in freezer. New Violation.
46.321
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector notes: - Observed the handwashing sink in the front prep area not properly sealed to the wall. - Observed the door to the walk-in cooler not properly sealing. New Violation.
46.671
Non-food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: - Observed rust on fan guards in the walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer. - Observed grease and food debris on the shelving surfaces underneath the cooking equipment in the front kitchen/prep and rear kitchen/prep areas. - Observed rust, dust, and stains on shelving surfaces throughout the basement storage, front kitchen/prep, rear prep/kitchen, ware washing, and walk-in cooler/freezer areas.
46.714
Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean
Inspector notes: - Observed gaps between ceiling tiles in the rear prep/kitchen areas. - Observed damaged floor tiles in the rear prep area. - Observed peeling paint on ceiling tiles in the rear kitchen, rear prep, and ware washing areas. - Observed damaged base coving underneath the ware washing machine equipment. - Observed damaged base coving/a gap at the bottom door entrance of the walk-in freezer.
46.921
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Hood filters observed with dripping grease in the front food prep area.
46.981(d)
78
Oct 14, 2025
Reinspection
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 9 violations
Food separated & protected
Inspector notes: - Observed cooked shrimp and raw shrimp (and raw octopus) stored on the same shelf next to each other in the under-counter refrigerator in the kitchen area. Sanitarian advised PIC to move the raw food items to an appropriate shelf during the inspection. - Observed raw chicken and RTE foods (vegetables) stored on the same shelf next to each other in the under-counter refrigerator in the kitchen. Sanitarian advised PIC to move raw food items to an appropriate shelf during the inspection.
46.281
Toxic substances properly identified, stored & used (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Working container in the kitchen handwashing sink area, used for storing chemicals taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrective action; PIC labeled the soap bottle during the inspection.
46.1002
Certification by accredited program, compliance with Code, or correct responses
Inspector notes: No person shall operate a food establishment that handles, prepares or serves non-prepackaged potentially hazardous food who does not have present and in the employ of the food establishment at all hours of operation at least one (1) person with a valid Food Establishment Personnel Food Safety Certificate issued by the Department. No person with a valid food safety certificate present at time of inspection. PIC with a valid food safety certificate arrived shortly after time of inspection.
46.103
Non-food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: - Observed ice accumulations inside of the chest freezers. - Observed rust on fan guards in the walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer. - Observed food debris, grease, and grimes on the exterior surfaces of the cooking equipment in the front kitchen and rear kitchen areas. - Observed grease and food debris on the shelving surfaces underneath the cooking equipment in the front kitchen/prep and rear kitchen/prep areas. - Observed rust, dust, and stains on shelving surfaces throughout the basement storage, front kitchen/prep, rear prep/kitchen, ware washing, and walk-in cooler/freezer areas. - Observed mouse droppings on the lower shelving surfaces throughout the front prep/storage, rear server station, and rear prep/ware washing areas. - Observed food debris on the floor surfaces of the walk-in freezer. - Observed a dead cockroach inside the under-counter refrigerator (out-of-use, used for storage only) in the rear prep area.
46.714
Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean
Inspector notes: - Observed stains on the ceiling tile surfaces in the rear kitchen/prep and ware washing areas. - Observed accumulations of food debris and grease on the floor perimeters underneath the cooking equipment in the rear kitchen area. - Observed mouse droppings on the floor perimeters and in-between equipment in the front storage/prep, rear prep, rear server area, and rear ware washing areas (near mop sink). - Unnecessary items: Observed an out-of-use ice maker in the basement area. Observed out-of-use equipment in the discontinued sushi bar area. Observed out-of-use under-counter refrigerators in the rear prep area used for storage. Observed various unused equipment in the basement area (dishes, trays, sushi rice cookers).
46.981(a)(b)(c)(g)(n)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Hood filters have an accumulation of dripping grease in the front kitchen/prep and rear kitchen/prep areas.
46.981(d)
Insects, rodents & animals not present; no unauthorized persons
Inspector notes: - Observed evidence of rodent activity in the front storage, front prep, rear prep, and rear ware washing areas. - Observed an accumulation of cockroaches on a glue trap on a shelf above the handwashing sink in the rear kitchen area. Dead or trapped insects shall be removed from control devices and the premises at a frequency that prevents their accumulation, decomposition or the attraction of pests.
46.981(k)(l)
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: Knives and / or cleavers stored between table edges which are not easily cleaned and sanitized. New Violation.
46.302
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector notes: Cutting boards observed with deep scratches and scoring not allowing for effective cleaning and sanitizing. New Violation.
46.672
50
Aug 27, 2025
Reinspection
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: - Observed a food employee using a handwashing sink to rinse off equipment at the front cashier/prep area. Corrective action; PIC instructed food employee of proper handwashing sink usage and cleaned the handwashing sink during the inspection.
46.825(a)
Food separated & protected (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: - Observed raw beef stored above vegetables and RTE food items in the rear reach-in refrigerator in the prep area. Corrective action; PIC moved the beef to an appropriate shelf during the inspection.
46.281
Insects, rodents & animals not present; no unauthorized persons
Inspector notes: - Observed mouse droppings on the floor perimeters and in-between equipment in the front storage/prep, rear prep, and rear ware washing areas. - Observed mouse droppings on top of the reach-in refrigerator in the front prep/storage area. - Observed mouse droppings on upper shelving surfaces in the front prep/storage area. - Observed mouse droppings on the lower shelving surfaces throughout the front prep/storage, rear server station, and rear prep/ware washing areas. - Observed mouse droppings on rolling cart shelving surfaces near the kitchen entrance.
46.981(k)(l)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector notes: - Observed cardboard lining shelving surfaces in the rear prep area. New Violation.
46.522
Non-food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: - Observed ice accumulations inside of the chest freezers. - Observed rust on fan guards in the walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer. - Observed accumulations of food debris, grease, and grimes on the exterior surfaces of the cooking equipment in the front kitchen and rear kitchen areas. - Observed accumulations of grease and food debris on the shelving surfaces underneath the cooking equipment in the front kitchen/prep and rear kitchen/prep areas. - Observed rust, dust, and stains on shelving surfaces throughout the basement storage, front kitchen/prep, front storage, rear prep/kitchen, ware washing, and walk-in cooler/freezer areas. - Observed mouse droppings on top of the reach-in refrigerator in the front prep/storage area. - Observed mouse droppings on upper shelving surfaces in the front prep/storage area. - Observed mouse droppings on the lower shelving surfaces throughout the front prep/storage, rear server station, and rear prep/ware washing areas. - Observed debris, ice, and stains on the floor surfaces of the walk-in freezer. - Observed mouse droppings on rolling cart shelving surfaces near the kitchen entrance.
46.714
Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean
Inspector notes: - Observed gaps between ceiling tiles in the rear prep/kitchen areas. - Observed damaged floor tiles in the rear prep area. - Observed peeling paint on ceiling tiles in the rear kitchen, rear prep, and ware washing areas. - Observed crates on floor surfaces of the walk-in cooler/freezer.
46.921
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Hood filters have an accumulation of grease in the front kitchen/prep and rear kitchen/prep areas.
46.981(d)
58
Jun 26, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 12 violations
Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Soap was not available at the handwashing sink in the front kitchen/prep and rear kitchen prep areas. Corrective action; PIC replenished the soap at the handwashing sinks during the inspection.
46.941(a)-(e)
Certification by accredited program, compliance with Code, or correct responses (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: No person shall operate a food establishment that handles, prepares or serves non-prepackaged potentially hazardous food who does not have present and in the employ of the food establishment at all hours of operation at least one (1) person with a valid Food Establishment Personnel Food Safety Certificate issued by the Department. PIC with a valid Phila. Food Safety Certificate was not present at the time of inspection. Corrective action; PIC with a valid Phila. Food Safety Certificate arrived shortly after the inspection began.
46.103
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: - Observed one microwave in the rear kitchen/prep area with heavy accumulations of grimes, food debris, and stains. Corrective action; PIC discontinued use of the microwave and had a food employee clean it during the inspection.
46.712
Thermometer provided & accurate (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Temperature measuring devices for ensuring proper equipment temperatures are not calibrated and/or functioning properly at the cold-holding prep table equipment. Corrective action; PIC replaced the temperature measuring device during the inspection.
46.561
Insects, rodents & animals not present; no unauthorized persons
Inspector notes: Observed a large gap/hole at the base of the rear exit door in the rear prep area, which is an outer opening in the food facility and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals. New Violation.
46.922(e)(f)
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: Moist wiping cloths observed lying on equipment and not stored in sanitizing solution. New Violation.
46.304
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: - Common bowls or food containers observed without handles in direct contact with bulk food ingredients. - Knives and / or cleavers stored between table edges at the rear kitchen handwashing sink, which are not easily cleaned and sanitized. New Violation.
46.302
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector notes: - Observed an out-of-use ice maker in the basement area. - Observed out-of-use equipment (refrigerators, prep tables, closed-display case) in the front prep area (discontinued sushi bar area). - Observed out-of-use under-counter refrigerators in the rear prep area used for storage. - Observed an out-of-use 3-bay ware washing sink and various unused equipment in the basement area (dishes, trays, sushi rice cookers). New Violation.
46.671
Non-food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: - Observed ice accumulations inside of the chest freezers. - Observed rust on fan guards in the walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer. - Observed accumulations of food debris and grimes on the exterior surfaces of the cooking equipment in the front kitchen area. - Observed accumulations of grease and food debris on the shelving surfaces underneath the cooking equipment in the front kitchen/prep and rear kitchen/prep areas. - Observed rust, dust, and stain accumulations on shelving surfaces throughout the front kitchen/prep, front storage, rear prep/kitchen, ware washing, basement storage, and walk-in cooler/freezer areas. - Observed mouse droppings on top of the reach-in refrigerator in the front prep/storage area. - Observed mouse droppings on the lower shelving surfaces throughout the front prep/storage, rear server station, and rear prep/ware washing areas. New Violation.
46.714
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: - Observed dumpster lids not tight-fitting in the rear refuse area. - Observed trash, debris, and grime accumulations surrounding the rear refuse area. New Violation.
46.884
Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean
Inspector notes: - Observed gaps between ceiling tiles in the rear prep/kitchen areas. - Observed holes in the basement staircase. - Observed damaged floor tiles in the rear prep area. - Observed peeling paint on ceiling tiles in the rear prep/ware washing areas. - Observed a crate on the floor surface behind the rear exit door in the rear prep area. New Violation.
46.921
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Hood filters have an accumulation of static dust and grease in the front kitchen/prep and rear kitchen/prep areas. New Violation.
46.981(d)
45

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Banana Leaf last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Banana Leaf on file is from Dec 2, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Banana Leaf?

Across the inspection record, “non-food contact surfaces clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Banana Leaf.

Has Banana Leaf's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Banana Leaf have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Banana Leaf means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.