John's Breakfast and Lunch

119 E Chelten Ave Diner, Philadelphia, PA 19144

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Feb 17, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

Public records show three inspections at John's Breakfast and Lunch stretching back to 2024. The most recent report on file is from Feb 17, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around five violations, down from roughly eight violations earlier in the record.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable”, showing up three times.

The city-wide average is 72, putting John's Breakfast and Lunch squarely in typical territory. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 17, 2026

Routine

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

View 5 violations

Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the rear prep area. *Paper towel provided.

46.825(a)

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: - Knobs observed loose on faucet in men's restroom. -Dust accumulation observed on ceiling vent in the restroom. New Violation.

46.981(b)(i)

Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean

Inspector notes: The following observations were made : - Debris and dust observed under equipment in rear of facility. -Bottom wall surfaces observed not cleaned to sight in POS area. -Water stained ceiling tiles observed in the rear of establishment. Dusty ceiling vent in the rear of establishment. New Violation.

46.921

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

Inspector notes: -Several defective and non-operating equipment observed: ice machine, prep unit used for bread storage, reach-in refrigeration unit to rear. Under counter refrigeration unit. - Handle observed missing off of egg refrigeration unit. New Violation.

46.671

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: -Rusted racks observed in snapple refrigerator. -Debris and dust on kick plates of refrigeration units. -Dust accumulation on fan vent cover in snapple refrigerator. - Debris on shelves in POS/ prep area. * General cleaning is needed. New Violation.

46.714

Feb 6, 2024

Reinspection

2 critical violations. 5 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 7 violations

Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Paper towel dispenser empty at the hand wash sink in the rear prep area. * The person in charge provided paper towel.

46.825(a)

Food separated & protected (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Unapproved fly glue board observed hanging in prep area where potatoes were being peeled. * The person in charge discarded fly trap.

46.301

Personal cleanliness

Inspector notes: Food employees observed not wearing or wearing ineffective hair restraints, such as nets or hats. New Violation.

46.152

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

Inspector notes: -Several defective and non-operating equipment observed: ice machine, prep unit, and refrigeration unit.

46.671

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: - Food debris observed on bottom surface of under counter refrigeration unit. - Rusted bottom surface of defective under counter refrigerator. - Mouse droppings observed on wooden pallet and shelf in the rear storage area.

46.714

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: - Low lighting observed in women's restroom. - Knobs observed loose on faucet in men's restroom.

46.981(b)(i)

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: Hood front vents have an accumulation of static dust and grease.

46.544(e)

Jan 5, 2024

Routine

8 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 8 violations

Insects, rodents & animals not present; no unauthorized persons

Inspector notes: Visible physical evidence of rodent (Mouse droppings) observed in the rear storage area on wooden pallet. - Dead mice observed on old glue trap. New Violation.

46.981(k)(l)

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

Inspector notes: Moist wiping cloths observed lying on hand wash sink and not stored in sanitizing solution. * The person in charge removed wiping cloth's.

46.772

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

Inspector notes: -Several defective and non-operating equipment observed: ice machine, prep unit, and refrigeration unit. New Violation.

46.671

Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, & used; test strips

Inspector notes: Food facility lacks sanitizer test strips to monitor sanitizer concentration. New Violation.

46.634

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: - Food debris on bottom surface of reach-in freezer. - Rusted racks and rusted bottom surface of defective under counter refrigerator. Food debris on bottom surface of under counter refrigerator. - Mouse droppings observed on wooden pallet and shelf in the rear storage area. New Violation.

46.714

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: - Damaged ceiling in women's restroom. - Low lighting observed in restrooms. - Knobs observed loose on faucet in men's restroom. New Violation.

46.981(b)(i)

Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean

Inspector notes: Loose/ missing ceiling tiles observed in seating. New Violation.

46.901

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: Hood filters and front vents have an accumulation of static dust and grease. New Violation.

46.544(e)

Frequently Asked Questions

When was John's Breakfast and Lunch last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at John's Breakfast and Lunch on file is from Feb 17, 2026. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at John's Breakfast and Lunch?

Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at John's Breakfast and Lunch.

Has John's Breakfast and Lunch's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at John's Breakfast and Lunch have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at John's Breakfast and Lunch means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is John's Breakfast and Lunch inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, John's Breakfast and Lunch is inspected roughly once per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Cherish

4449 Germantown Ave

Score: 41 — High Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Philadelphia → Café / Breakfast restaurants in Philadelphia