Greek Lady, a popular restaurant near Penn’s campus, was shut down by the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Health on Oct. 16 due to health code violations.
Greek Lady, which first opened in 2004 at 40th and Walnut streets, was ordered to cease operations on Wednesday morning, according to a sign on the door of the restaurant. In total, the restaurant amassed 19 Philadelphia Health Code violations, according to the most recent inspection report published on the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s website.
The order states that the restaurant must correct its violations and be recertified by the Philadelphia Department of Health in order to resume operations.
It is unclear how long the restaurant will be closed. A handwritten note at the top of the Cease Operations Order paper reads “2 days,” but The Daily Pennsylvanian was unable to confirm the length of the shutdown.
Greek Lady ownership and the City of Philadelphia have not responded to requests for comment by the time of publication.
The restaurant is required to correct its violations according to Section 6-502 of the Philadelphia Health Code, says the inspection report, which adds that a failure to comply may result in the restaurant’s health license being revoked. The notice adds that the restaurant will be required to pay a $315 fee for reinspection.
The violations, all of which fall under Section 6-300 of the Health Code, included a lack of proper date marking of food, inadequate food service certification from the City of Philadelphia, and a lack of proper sanitation of food-contact surfaces — all of which are repeat violations.
In total, the restaurant collected five repeat violations and 14 first-time violations. Other violations included a lack of adequate hand-washing supplies, improper storage of utensils and linens, and frost and residue on the walk-in freezer and cooler units.
“Due to conditions observed during the inspection … the establishment has agreed to discontinue food operations and voluntarily close until it is approved by the department to resume operations,” the report reads.
The report also states that Greek Lady currently does not have a valid food license and that one is required to operate the establishment.
Members of the Penn community expressed surprise at the closure.
College senior Ariana deSa e Frias told the DP that she frequented the restaurant last semester “enough where the employees knew [her].”
“I’m definitely a little scared of what I’ve been eating,” she said. “I don't know if I’ve ever been in there and noticed … [anything] that would cause a health code violation, so I was quite surprised and a little bit nervous.”
She added that she and her friends are “very sad to see it shut down.”
College senior Liam Hoare told the DP that Greek Lady “is part of the campus institution,” saying that the closure made him “scared” and “sad.”
“Definitely, no one wants to eat at a place that has health code violations … especially when there are other options,” he said.
Greek Lady is owned by the same proprietor that runs Allegro Pizza and Grill, another popular food establishment at 40th and Spruce streets.
Earlier this semester, Allegro — formerly a popular late night food option for students — eliminated its late-night hours. After previously staying open until 3 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the restaurant altered its schedule to close at midnight seven days a week.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
Donate