Bento Taro Gets Conditional Pass Despite Minor Violations

Bento Taro, the Japanese restaurant located at 430 Geary Street in San Francisco's Tenderloin district, received a conditional pass during a reinspection conducted on August 15, 2025. While the establishment can continue serving customers, inspectors identified minor violations that require prompt attention to achieve full compliance with health regulations. The reinspection, conducted by Inspector John Wells between 12:00 PM and 12:15 PM, found that previous violations from an August 6 inspection remained uncorrected. Despite these ongoing issues, the restaurant was permitted to remain open while addressing the identified concerns, demonstrating the minor nature of the violations found.

Inspection Details

During this inspection, health officials documented two minor violations related to food safety certification requirements. The primary concern involved the facility's lack of food handler cards for employees, a critical training component that ensures staff understand proper food safety protocols. The inspection report specifically noted that "the facility still lacks food handler cards" and emphasized the need for all employees to obtain proper certification. Inspectors required the restaurant to maintain evidence of certification onsite and make it available for review during future inspections. Food handler certification violations, while classified as minor, play a crucial role in maintaining restaurant safety standards. Certified staff members are trained in temperature control, contamination prevention, and proper hygiene practices that help prevent foodborne illness outbreaks.

Temperature Control Concerns

The reinspection also revealed ongoing temperature control issues with several prepared foods. Inspectors measured concerning temperatures across multiple items on the steam table, including pot stickers at 89°F, egg rolls at 98°F, and tofu at 125°F. Additional items such as General Tsao chicken, sesame chicken, and chow mein noodles were also found at improper holding temperatures. These temperature violations highlight the importance of proper hot holding practices in Japanese restaurants, where many dishes require specific temperature maintenance to ensure food safety. The restaurant's location near Powell St BART/Muni makes it a popular destination for commuters and tourists seeking quick, safe dining options.

Previous Inspection History

Bento Taro's inspection history shows a pattern of working toward improved compliance. A September 2 reinspection resulted in a pass with violations, indicating the restaurant's ongoing efforts to address health department concerns. The facility later achieved a clean pass during an October 28 reinspection, demonstrating its ability to correct identified issues. The restaurant's conditional pass status allows continued operation while management addresses the certification requirements and implements proper temperature control procedures. This approach recognizes that minor violations, while important to correct, do not pose immediate health risks that would require closure. Health department officials emphasized that conditional passes serve as an opportunity for restaurants to demonstrate their commitment to food safety while maintaining service to the community. The Tenderloin location serves a diverse customer base seeking authentic Japanese cuisine in a convenient downtown setting. Restaurant management now has the opportunity to obtain required food handler certifications for all staff members and implement improved temperature monitoring procedures to achieve full compliance during the next inspection cycle.