Famous 4th Street Deli
Last inspected: Aug 21, 2025
47
Score
Famous 4th Street Deli appears in inspection records four times, starting in 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Aug 21, 2025. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 14 violations to closer to nine violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “utensils, equipment & linens” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
Compared to other Philadelphia restaurants (averaging 72), there's room to close the gap. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
4
Inspections
3
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 21, 2025
Reinspection
3 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
Inspector notes: The handwashing sink located in the second floor bakery area was blocked by lid containers and not accessible at all times for employee use.
46.825(a)
Food separated & protected
Inspector notes: Multiple uncovered meats were being stored in the second floor walk-in cooler.
46.281
Food in good condition, safe, & unadulterated
Inspector notes: Expired buttermilk was observed in the second floor walk-in cooler dated, 8/19/2025. The person in charge discarded the expired buttermilk.
46.201
Insects, rodents & animals not present; no unauthorized persons
Inspector notes: The following observations were noted: -Mouse droppings on top of the lids of bulk ingredients in the second floor bakery area. -Mouse droppings on shelves in the rear second floor bakery area. -Mouse droppings on the floor, under and around equipment in the second floor bakery area. -Mouse droppings on the floor in the basement storage area.
46.981(k)(l)
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: Bulk food ingredients were not elevated 6 inches off of the floor in second floor bakery area.
46.321
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried & handled
Inspector notes: Clean dishes were not properly inverted or covered in the rear food preparation area and front service area.
46.774
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector notes: The following observations were noted: -Cold preparation refrigerator were with out lids (temperatures were within appropriate range). -Cold preparation lid handles were not in good repair. -Non NSF equipment in several areas. -The vents located on the closed display cases located in the deli area were not properly fixed to the units. -Buckets were being used for the walk-in cooler drains in the second floor area. -A non operational unused ice machine located in the basement storage area.
46.671
Non-food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: The following observations were noted: -Rust on shelves in multiple refrigeration units and storage areas. -Lower surface cleaning was needed in the second floor preparation area due to mouse droppings. -Shelves located in the second floor storage area were in need of cleaning due to debris and mouse droppings. -The floors of several walk-in coolers were in need of cleaning in the second floor bakery preparation area due to debris.
46.714
Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean
Inspector notes: The following observations were noted: -The floors located on the second floor bakery area were damaged and in need of repair. -Holes in the walls and ceiling in several areas of the facility including the second floor bakery area. -Damaged walls in the basement storage area and second floor bakery area. -Missing base coving in the rear food preparation area and second floor bakery area. -Porous ceiling tiles were observed in the second floor bakery area.
46.921
47
Dec 18, 2024
Routine
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 13 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 18 violations
Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
Inspector notes: The handwash sink in the kitchen prep area was blocked by dishes and not accesible at all times for employee use. Old food residue, dishes and utensils observed in the handwash sink behind front counter. New Violation.
46.981(h)
Food separated & protected
Inspector notes: Food observed not properly covered in the customer service area (bread) and the cold prep and walk in coolers. New Violation.
46.281
Proper cold holding temperature
Inspector notes: Food was held at 54 and 60 degrees F rather than 41 degrees F or below as required in the cold prep unit. New Violation.
46.385(a)(2)
Proper date marking & disposition
Inspector notes: Potentially hazardous ready to eat food, prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the cold prep and walk in cooler, was not date marked. Opened commercially processed ready to eat food, located in the cold prep and walk in coolers, held more than 48 hours, was not marked with the date it was opened. New Violation.
46.385(b)
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Chlorine chemical sanitizer residual detected in the final sanitizer rinse cycle of the low temperature sanitizing dishwasher was 0 ppm, and not 50-100 ppm as required. No Sanitizer observed in the building. Person in charge was told to stop washing all dishes in the dishwasher and to utilize the three basin sink.
46.675(d)(e)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector notes: - Cold prep was observed with the lids off. - Unused equipment observed. - Cold Prep lid handle observed not in good repair. - Sinks observed not properly sealed to the wall, Three basin, handwashing, and other sinks. New Violation.
46.671
Non-food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: -Rust on shelves was observed in several refrigeration units and storage areas. -Dust accumulated fan guards observed in the walk ins. -Lower shelves on prep table observed needing to be properly cleaned. -Dishes on lower prep table observed needing to be properly cleaned and sanitized. - Countertops observed needing to be properly cleaned under equipment. New Violation.
46.714
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: Handwashing sinks observed slow draining. New Violation.
46.822
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: Urinal on second floor observed missing pipes. Restrooms on second floor observed needing to be properly cleaned. New Violation.
46.981(b)(i)
Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean
Inspector notes: - Floor on the second floor observed damaged. including walk in cooler. - Holes observed in the wall outside the restrooms. - Damaged walls observed in basement storage area. New Violation.
46.921
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Hood filters have an accumulation of static dust and grease. New Violation.
46.544(e)
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: -Food in the closed display case is not labeled properly with the name of product, ingredient statement, net weight, distributed by statement and/or nutritional facts. -Working bulk food ingredient storage containers are not labeled with the common name of the food in basement walk in cooler. -Containers in the cold prep , reach ins, and walk ins observed not properly labeled with the name of its contents. New Violation.
46.422
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: -Beverages and food were not stored at least 6 inches above the floor storage areas and walk ins -Crates are being used as elevation. New Violation.
46.321
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: Food employees observed not wearing or wearing ineffective hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard restraints. New Violation.
46.152
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: Moist wiping cloths observed lying on the counter and not stored in sanitizing solution. New Violation.
46.304
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: Knives and / or cleavers stored between prep table edges which are not easily cleaned and sanitized. New Violation.
46.302
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried & handled
Inspector notes: Clean dish racks observed being stored on the floor. New Violation.
46.774
Single-use & single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: Dishes and Utensils observed not properly inverted with the food surface side faced down. New Violation.
46.774
26
Jul 2, 2024
Reinspection
1 critical violation. 10 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 11 violations
Food separated & protected
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Food (bagels) are not properly covered from contamination in the front retail area. Person in charge placed a covering on the bagels during the time of inspection.
46.281
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: -Food in the closed display case is not labeled properly with the name of product, ingredient statement, net weight, distributed by statement and/or nutritional facts. -Working bulk food ingredient storage containers are not labeled with the common name of the food in basement walk in cooler.
46.422
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: -Beverages were not stored at least 6 inches above the floor storage areas. -Crates are being used as elevation.
46.321
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: Food employees observed not wearing or wearing ineffective hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard restraints. New Violation.
46.152
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: Moist wiping cloths observed lying on the counter and not stored in sanitizing solution. New Violation.
46.304
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: Knives and / or cleavers stored between prep table edges which are not easily cleaned and sanitized. New Violation.
46.302
Single-use & single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: Dishes and Utensils observed not properly inverted with the food surface side faced down. New Violation.
46.774
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector notes: - Cold prep was observed with the lids off. - Unused equipment observed. - Cold Prep lid handle observed not in good repair. - Sinks observed not properly sealed to the wall, Three basin, handwashing, and other sinks. -Air gap not observed under the prep sink.
46.671
Non-food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: -Rust on shelves was observed in several refrigeration units and storage areas. -Dust accumulated fan guards observed in the walk ins.
46.714
Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean
Inspector notes: - Floor on the second floor observed damaged. - Holes observed in the wall outside the restrooms. - Damaged walls observed in basement storage area.
46.921
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Static accumulated dust observed on the vents and tiles throughout.
46.981(d)
52
Apr 29, 2024
Routine
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 17 violations
Proper cold holding temperature
Inspector notes: Food was held at 48 to 61 degrees F rather than 41 degrees F or below as required. Sanitarian advised that all food be placed on ice. New Violation.
46.385(a)(2)
Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
Inspector notes: Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the second floor restroom. The handwash sink in the kitchen prep area was blocked and not accesible at all times for employee use. New Violation.
46.981(h)
Food separated & protected
Inspector notes: Food in the reach in refrigerator, cold prep and closed display case observed not properly covered. New Violation.
46.281
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. ServSafe was observed sent an application for the business to get a Food Safety Certificate from the Health Department. New Violation.
46.103
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Three basin sink was not set up properly for wash rinse and sanitize. New Violation.
46.674(d)(e)
Thermometer provided & accurate
Inspector notes: Temperature measuring devices for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available or readily accessible. New Violation.
46.561
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: Working bulk food ingredient storage containers are not labeled with the common name of the food. New Violation.
46.282
Insects, rodents & animals not present; no unauthorized persons
Inspector notes: Visible physical evidence of rodent activity observed in the the front area behind and under the closed display case. Observed on the top and bottom of the prep tables. Observed in the corners, under and behind equipment. -Roach observed on the patrons table during the time of inspection. New Violation.
46.153
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: -Food container and Beverages were not stored at least 6 inches above the floor in one walk-in coolers and storage areas. -Crates are being used as elevation. New Violation.
46.321
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
Single-use & single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: To go containers and dishes were observed not properly inverted with the food surface faced down. New Violation.
46.774
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector notes: - Kick plates or vents observed missing from the cold display cases. - Cold prep was observed with the lids off and not being used properly. - Unused equipment observed. - Cold Prep handle observed coming off. - Sinks observed not properly sealed to the wall, Three basin, handwashing, and other sinks. - No Prep sink with a air gap observed! New Violation.
46.671
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, & used; test strips
Inspector notes: A food and debris buildup noted on the dishwasher trays. New Violation.
46.675(a)-(c)
Non-food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: -Rust around shelves were observed in several refrigeration units and storage areas. -General cleaning are needed on the lower shelves throughout. New Violation.
46.714
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: A lidded trash can was not observed in the second floor restroom. New Violation.
46.882(b)
Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean
Inspector notes: Floor on the second floor observed damaged. New Violation.
46.921
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Static accumulated dust observed on the vents and tiles throughout. New Violation.
46.981(d)
29
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Famous 4th Street Deli last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Famous 4th Street Deli on file is from Aug 21, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Famous 4th Street Deli?
Across the inspection record, “utensils, equipment & linens” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Famous 4th Street Deli.
Has Famous 4th Street Deli's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Famous 4th Street Deli have averaged around nine violations per visit, down from roughly 14 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Famous 4th Street Deli 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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