Cafe Carmela
Last inspected: Oct 3, 2025
74
Score
There aren't many inspections to draw from yet: just two so far. Inspectors last stopped by on Oct 3, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around six violations compared to roughly nine violations earlier on.
Compared to the broader Philadelphia restaurant scene, this is about average. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
2
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 3, 2025
Reinspection
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: The following was observed: -1 light out under pizza hood system -insufficient lighting in the walk in unit New Violation.
46.943
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: Food is not stored at least 6 inches above the floor in the walk-in unit New Violation.
46.321
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: Dry wiping cloths observed on Apron 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 which are not easily cleaned and sanitized.
46.302
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector notes: Chest freezer hinge observed broken. Handwash sink observed to not have legs in the food prep area
46.671
Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean
Inspector notes: Damaged wall in the rear area
46.901
74
Aug 22, 2024
Routine
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations. 5 corrected on site.
View 9 violations
Time as a public health control; procedures & record
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Time in lieu of temperature being used in the food facility to control ready to eat potentially hazardous foods without written procedures or documentation to verify disposition of food. **Person in charge created a time temp log for the cold prep unit.
46.385(c)
Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the food prep area. **Person in charge placed the paper towel.
46.981(h)
Food separated & protected
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Breaded cheese observed being prepped on top of the chest freezer. **Person in charge removed the food and put it on the food prep counter.
46.301
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. **Person in charge arrived during the inspection.
46.103
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Black residue, pink slime observed on the interior of the ice machine bin around rear area. **Person in charge took corrective action.
46.711(a)
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 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
Non-food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Food residue observed inside the under counter refrigeration units. New Violation.
46.714
Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean
Inspector notes: Dry storage area observed cluttered. New Violation.
46.981(a)(b)(c)(g)(n)
43
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cafe Carmela last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cafe Carmela on file is from Oct 3, 2025. The public record contains two inspections in total.
Has Cafe Carmela's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Cafe Carmela have averaged around six violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Cafe Carmela 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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