Poke Bowl Gets Conditional Pass - Minor Violations Need Fix

Poke Bowl in San Francisco's Excelsior district received a conditional pass on its September 29 health reinspection, with two minor violations requiring correction while maintaining its ability to serve customers. The poke bowl restaurant at 1250 Ocean Ave, near Balboa Park BART, demonstrated significant improvement from its previous inspection while addressing remaining compliance issues.

Inspection Progress Shows Improvement

This inspection revealed substantial progress at the popular Excelsior eatery, with five violations from the previous inspection successfully corrected. The restaurant addressed critical issues including hand sink accessibility, sanitizer concentration levels, proper food storage height, cooler temperature control, and wiping cloth storage procedures. Inspector Sophia Huie noted the facility's commitment to resolving compliance matters during the 30-minute reinspection from 3:20 PM to 3:50 PM. Staff demonstrated improved food safety knowledge and operational procedures, showing the restaurant's dedication to maintaining proper health standards while serving fresh poke bowls to neighborhood residents and commuters using the nearby BART station.

Minor Violations Requiring Attention

Two violations remain outstanding but do not prevent the restaurant from continuing operations. The first involves a missing consumer advisory on the menu regarding raw fish consumption risks. Staff informed the inspector they have already ordered appropriate signage to address this menu compliance issue, which will provide customers with required information about consuming raw or undercooked foods. The second violation concerns an air gap deficiency in the prep sink's waste pipe system. The inspector observed the prep sink waste pipe with less than the required one-inch air gap from the floor drain. This plumbing configuration could potentially allow backflow contamination. Restaurant management confirmed they will hire a licensed contractor to adjust the waste pipe positioning to meet health code requirements.

Restaurant Operations Continue

Despite these minor violations, Poke Bowl maintains its conditional operating status, allowing continued service to customers while addressing the identified issues. The violations classified as major under California Retail Food Code Section 114099.6 regarding plumbing backflow devices, though serious in regulatory terms, do not pose immediate health risks requiring closure. The Excelsior location serves a diverse community near Balboa Park, offering fresh poke bowls and other Hawaiian-inspired dishes to local residents and transit users. The restaurant's proximity to major transportation hubs makes it a popular choice for commuters and neighborhood diners seeking healthy meal options.

Previous Inspection Context

The restaurant's inspection history shows ongoing efforts to maintain compliance standards. A previous routine inspection on November 12 revealed multiple temperature control violations, including fish stored at unsafe temperatures between 48-51°F and walk-in cooler issues. The current reinspection demonstrates the facility's commitment to addressing health department concerns systematically. Restaurant owner Poke Bowls Inc operates under permit holder Shirley Cheng, who received the inspection report and confirmed plans for completing required corrections. The facility maintains phone contact at (415) 666-6408 for customer inquiries about operations and menu availability. The conditional pass allows normal business operations while providing a timeline for completing minor corrections, ensuring continued safe food service for the Excelsior community while achieving full compliance.