inspections
How to Check Restaurant Inspections in Philadelphia
Philadelphia's Department of Public Health conducts regular health inspections at thousands of food service establishments, from corner delis to fine dining. Understanding how to access inspection records and interpret scores empowers you to make informed dining decisions. This guide shows you where to find official results and how to monitor violations in real time.
Where Philadelphia Posts Official Inspection Results
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health maintains an online searchable database of restaurant inspections at phila.gov. You can search by business name, address, or license number to pull up inspection history, violation details, and corrective action records. The database is updated regularly as new inspections are completed and violations are resolved. For the most current and official source, always consult the city's database directly rather than relying on outdated third-party listings.
Understanding Philadelphia's Inspection Scoring System
Philadelphia uses a point-deduction system where restaurants start with 100 points and lose points for violations observed during inspection. Critical violations—such as improper food temperature, pest activity, or cross-contamination—result in larger deductions than minor infractions like labeling or record-keeping issues. A score above 70 is generally considered passing, though the city may issue permits with conditions at lower scores. Inspectors document every violation, severity level, and whether it was corrected on-site or requires follow-up verification.
Use Panko Alerts for Real-Time Inspection Monitoring
Manually checking the city database repeatedly is time-consuming, especially if you have favorite restaurants or dietary concerns. Panko Alerts monitors 25+ government sources—including Philadelphia's Department of Public Health—and sends instant notifications whenever new violations, closures, or critical findings are posted for restaurants you follow. The app costs just $4.99/month with a 7-day free trial, letting you stay informed without the hassle of manual lookups. Set alerts for specific establishments and receive updates before violations become widespread issues.
Get real-time alerts for Philadelphia restaurants—free trial today.
Real-time food safety alerts from 25+ government sources. AI-scored by urgency. Less than one bad meal a month — $4.99/mo.
Start free trial → alerts.getpanko.app