'Mouse Turds,' Other Health Issues Close Popular Philly Deli

PHILADELPHIA — A popular Philadelphia deli was closed after health inspectors reported finding "mouse turds" on a meat slicer, among other health violations.

The discovery was made at Famous 4th Street Delicatessen during a regular health inspection Wednesday.

According to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, more than two dozen health violations were found during their inspection.

Notably, inspectors said the following:

Slicer has an accumulation of food residue mouse turds on the food contact surfaces and is not being washed, rinsed and sanitized at least every 4 hours

And that's not the only remark that mentioned "mouse turds," specifically.

They also reported:

Cleaning needed from mouse turds on the prep tables, and equipment.

Due to these and numerous other violations — which included improperly covered foods, a lack of protections from pests, and raw meat blood on the floor of the walk in cooler — the health department ordered the establishment closed "until the required fee is paid and the establishment is approved by the Department to resume operations."

See the full inspection report online here.

A phone call made to Famous 4th Street Delicatessen went unanswered Thursday afternoon.

Owner Al Gamble told the Philadelphia Inquirer that his team "dropped the ball" when asked about the violations.

"We’re confident we can get [the issues] resolved and get us reopened," he reportedly told the outlet.

A sign on the establishment's door suggested it would reopen Friday.