Black Turtle Coffee

129 S 18Th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Nov 7, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Going back to 2024, Black Turtle Coffee has three inspections in the public record. On Nov 7, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.

The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around zero violations to closer to eight violations.

Black Turtle Coffee's latest score of 58 falls below the Philadelphia average of 72. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Nov 7, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.

View 8 violations

Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Soap and paper towels was not available at the handwash sink in the in basement warewash/preparation area. Corrective action was taken and items were provided.

46.981(h)

Certification by accredited program, compliance with Code, or correct responses (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: The food facility operator shall be the Person in Charge or shall designate a Person in Charge and shall ensure that a Person in Charge is present at the food facility during all hours of operation. Person in Charge arrived during time of inspection.

46.101

Wiping cloths: properly used & stored (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Moist wiping cloths observed lying on countertops and not stored in sanitizing solution. Corrective action was taken and wipe cloths were put into sanitizer.

46.304

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

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: -Coffee grounds, dust and food debris observed on counter tops under food equipment. -Grimes observed on grinder sink, and splash guards in basement preparation/warewash area. -Grimes observed under POS counter storage area. -Dust observed on soap dispenser at handwash sink in 1st floor. -Residue build up observed on air gap catch basin in basement preparation sink. New Violation.

46.714

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: A lidded trashcan was not observed in the restroom to properly discard female hygiene products. New Violation.

46.882(b)

Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean

Inspector notes: Mop observed on utility sink floor and not elevated to facilitate air drying. New Violation.

46.981(f)

Food properly labeled; original container (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Working bulk food ingredient storage containers are not labeled with the common name of the food. Corrective action was taken and items were labeled.

46.282

Oct 25, 2024

Reinspection

No violations found.

100

Oct 21, 2024

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Person in Control of premises has not posted "No Smoking" signs.

Inspector notes: Person in Control of premises has not posted "No Smoking" signs. New Violation.

10-602(5)(a)(.1)

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Black Turtle Coffee last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Black Turtle Coffee on file is from Nov 7, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

Has Black Turtle Coffee's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Black Turtle Coffee have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly zero earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Black Turtle Coffee means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

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