Zingari Ristorante Gets Conditional Pass on Reinspection

Zingari Ristorante, the Italian establishment located at 501 Post Street in the Tenderloin, received a conditional pass during its September 12 reinspection, allowing the restaurant to continue serving customers while addressing minor violations discovered by health inspectors. The reinspection, conducted between 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM, identified three minor violations that require correction but do not pose immediate health risks serious enough to warrant closure. Inspector John Wells found issues related to temperature control, wiping cloth storage, and plumbing maintenance that the restaurant can address while maintaining normal operations.

Temperature Control Issues Addressed

The primary concern during this inspection centered around proper hot and cold holding temperatures for various food items. Inspectors measured milk at 58°F in the bar refrigerator, which was immediately discarded by restaurant staff upon notification. Additional temperature violations were found on the cook's cold table, where tomato sauce registered 64°F, meat sauce at 62°F, marinara sauce at 64°F, tomato paste at 62°F, blue cheese at 69°F, and lima beans at 53°F. Restaurant operators quickly moved these items to a properly functioning cooler, demonstrating their commitment to food safety protocols. The inspector noted that these foods had been sitting at improper temperatures for less than an hour, indicating the violations were caught early and addressed promptly. Near the grill station, inspectors also found short ribs at 56°F, garbanzo beans at 53°F, and tomato sauce at 45°F stored on ice. While these items showed some temperature concerns, the quick response from kitchen staff helped prevent any serious food safety issues from developing.

Sanitation and Maintenance Violations

Beyond temperature control, the inspection revealed issues with wiping cloth storage and plumbing maintenance. Inspectors observed a wet wiping towel lying on the counter along the cook's line, violating proper sanitation protocols that require all wiping towels to be stored in sanitizer solution when not in use. The most visible maintenance issue involved a plumbing leak discovered at the far east end of the cook's line. Condensate or water was dripping from a pipe through an open hole in the ceiling, landing directly on the prep table counter where bread was being prepared. This type of plumbing issue requires immediate attention to prevent contamination of food preparation surfaces.

Restaurant Continues Operations

Despite these violations, the conditional pass allows Zingari Ristorante to remain open while addressing the identified issues. The restaurant, conveniently located near Powell St BART/Muni, continues to serve its Tenderloin neighborhood clientele while working to correct the minor violations.

Previous Inspection History

The facility's inspection history shows this is not the restaurant's first encounter with similar issues. A previous inspection in October 2025 also resulted in a conditional pass, with multiple temperature control violations including milk stored at improper temperatures and various sauces held outside safe temperature ranges. The pattern suggests ongoing challenges with temperature control systems that require systematic attention from restaurant management. However, the minor nature of these violations and the restaurant's immediate corrective actions demonstrate a commitment to addressing food safety concerns. Restaurant operators must schedule follow-up corrections for the plumbing leak and implement better procedures for wiping cloth storage and temperature monitoring to achieve full compliance during their next inspection. The establishment remains open for business as they work to resolve these correctable maintenance and operational issues.