Taste of Old Street Gets Conditional Pass Despite Door Issues

Taste of Old Street in San Francisco's Outer Richmond neighborhood received a conditional pass during a health department reinspection on August 28, 2025, allowing the restaurant to remain open while addressing minor violations requiring correction. The establishment, located at 5336 Geary Boulevard, can continue serving customers while working to resolve the identified issues.

Inspection Details

Health inspector Jessica Jang conducted the reinspection from 2:00 PM to 2:35 PM, identifying two violations that need attention but do not pose immediate threats requiring closure. The primary concern involved a completely broken screen door from the kitchen to the outside area, creating potential entry points for pests. Inspector observations noted significant gaps at both the top and bottom of the door that could allow unwanted access. The restaurant operator informed the inspector that replacement parts for the door had already been ordered, demonstrating proactive steps toward compliance. This broken door represented the most critical violation during this inspection, classified as a critical violation under California Retail Food Code sections 114067 and 114123, which address premises maintenance and vermin proofing requirements. The second violation identified involved grease buildup on the surface of the hot-water heater, requiring thorough cleaning and degreasing. While this represents a cleaning issue that needs prompt attention, it does not prevent the restaurant from continuing normal operations while corrections are made.

Pest Control Context

The inspection revealed important context regarding the restaurant's ongoing pest management efforts. A recent pest control report from August 14, 2025, indicated that cockroaches had been successfully eliminated during a professional site visit just two weeks prior to the health inspection. This demonstrates the establishment's commitment to maintaining proper sanitation standards and addressing potential pest infestation issues promptly. The broken screen door's potential to create vermin entryways became a focal point of the inspection, particularly given the restaurant's recent history with pest control services. Inspector recommendations emphasized the importance of repairing the door to prevent future pest-related complications and maintain the progress achieved through professional extermination services.

Neighborhood Context and Accessibility

Taste of Old Street serves the diverse Outer Richmond community, conveniently located near the 38 Geary bus line for easy public transportation access. The restaurant continues to provide dining services to local residents and visitors while working to complete the necessary repairs and cleaning requirements identified during the inspection.

Compliance Timeline

The conditional pass status allows the restaurant to operate while addressing the identified violations within a reasonable timeframe. Restaurant management must complete the screen door repairs and hot-water heater cleaning to achieve full compliance. The health department will likely conduct a follow-up inspection to verify that all corrections have been properly implemented. The relatively minor nature of the violations found during this reinspection suggests that Taste of Old Street maintains generally acceptable food safety standards while needing to address specific maintenance and cleaning concerns. The restaurant's proactive approach to ordering replacement door parts before the inspection demonstrates awareness of the issues and commitment to resolving them promptly. This conditional pass reflects the health department's balanced approach to enforcement, allowing establishments to continue serving the community while ensuring necessary corrections are completed to maintain public health standards.