El Meson Restaurant

6625 Castor Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19149

Last inspected: Apr 24, 2026

Score

High Risk

El Meson Restaurant has a thin inspection record, with only two visits on file so far. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 24, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.

Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around 15 violations lately compared to roughly four violations before.

“Non-food contact surfaces clean” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.

El Meson Restaurant's latest score of 32 falls below the Philadelphia average of 72. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Apr 24, 2026

Routine

3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 10 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 15 violations

Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: -No sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the women's upstairs restroom area and in the upstairs bar area to remind food employees to wash their hands. -Missing paper towels observed at all the bar areas handwash sinks. *

46.981(h)

Food separated & protected

Inspector notes: A single use container was observed submerged inside of bulk food container. *Instructed person in charge to remove container. New Violation.

46.301

Proper date marking & disposition

Inspector notes: Potentially hazardous, ready-to-eat food, prepared in a food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the walk in cooler unit and under counter fridge, was not date marked. *Instructed person in charge to date mark food items. New Violation.

46.385(b)

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. *A City of Philadelphia Food safety certified/ serv save certified person was not present at time of inspection: A FSC application was emailed on 4-24-2026. New Violation. New Violation.

46.103

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector notes: Black residue, pink slime observed on the interior of the ice machine bin in the basement food prep area. -The can opener had an accumulation of food residue on the food contact surfaces. *Instructed person in charge to clean ice machine bin and can opener. New Violation.

46.712

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Inspector notes: -Jugs of oil observed on direct floor surfaces and not raised and elevated on a dunnage rack. -Cases of beverages observed on direct floor surfaces throughout the facility. New Violation.

46.341

Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

Inspector notes: Moist wiping cloths observed lying on sinks and counters and not stored in sanitizing solution. New Violation.

46.772

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used

Inspector notes: -Cardboard lining observed on several shelves throughout the facility. -Aluminum lining observed on shelving unit in basement food prep area. New Violation.

46.522

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: Ice build up observed in basement chest freezer unit. New Violation.

46.714

Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure

Inspector notes: Hot water delay observed at the handwash sink observed in the upstairs club area. *Took 3 minutes before water reached 105 F. New Violation.

46.806(a)

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: A leak was observed underneath the handwash sink located in the rear bar prep area. New Violation.

46.822

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: Dusty cover vents observed in men's restroom located in the club area. New Violation.

46.981(b)(i)

Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Inspector notes: Clutter observed in outdoor pallet area. New Violation.

46.885

Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean

Inspector notes: Clutter was observed in the rear of the basement. Floors were unclean under the sinks in the second floor. New Violation.

46.981(a)(b)(c)(g)(n)

Food properly labeled; original container

Inspector notes: Working bulk food ingredient (Rice) storage containers are not labeled with the common name of the food. New Violation.

46.282

May 19, 2023

Reinspection

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: Unclean shelving was observed in the storage spaces. The mop sink area was unclean to sight.

46.714

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: Toilet room doors are not self-closing.

46.922(d)

Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean

Inspector notes: Holes were observed on the walls in the hallways of the facility. New Violation.

46.921

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: A fryer was observed outside of the exhaust hood range.

46.614

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Meson Restaurant last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Meson Restaurant on file is from Apr 24, 2026. The public record contains two inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Meson Restaurant?

Across the inspection record, “non-food contact surfaces clean” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Meson Restaurant.

Has El Meson Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at El Meson Restaurant have averaged around 15 violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at El Meson Restaurant means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.

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