Win Garden Chinese Restaurant Fails with Organic Growth

Health inspectors discovered disturbing organic growth coating dishwasher equipment and frozen pork thawing at dangerous room temperatures during a routine inspection at Win Garden, a Chinese restaurant in Glen Park. The October 6th inspection revealed six violations that paint a troubling picture of food safety conditions at the 2794 Diamond Street establishment near Glen Park BART.

Organic Growth Discovery

The most alarming finding involved organic growth - likely mold or bacteria - found coating the dishwasher rack where plates and utensils are cleaned. This contamination directly compromises the sanitization process for items that come into contact with food served to customers. Inspector Katherine Tuazon also discovered that staff were operating without proper sanitizer in their cleaning bucket, though this violation was corrected on-site with 100ppm chlorine solution. The presence of organic growth on food contact surfaces creates serious health risks, as biofilms can protect dangerous bacteria from standard cleaning procedures and spread pathogens to multiple dishes throughout the day.

Temperature Violations

Inspectors found slightly frozen pork chunks sitting in a metal basin at room temperature on the prep sink with no staff actively working on the thawing process. This improper thawing method violates California food safety codes designed to prevent bacterial growth that occurs when proteins remain in the temperature danger zone. Room temperature thawing allows harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli to multiply rapidly on meat surfaces, creating serious foodborne illness risks for customers consuming improperly handled Chinese dishes.

Equipment and Sanitation Issues

The inspection revealed widespread cleanliness problems throughout Win Garden's kitchen. Grease and dirt had accumulated in the fryers, while organic growth was discovered on multiple surfaces including cooling unit gaskets, the hand sink, and refrigerator fan guards. Food debris was found coating the dish machine and refrigerator surfaces. Additional violations included improper storage of wiping cloths that were hanging on a bar above the prep sink, creating potential cross-contamination. Dirt and dust had accumulated in hard-to-reach areas of the storage room and underneath the cook line, indicating inadequate cleaning procedures.

Health Department Response

Despite the six violations cited in this inspection, Win Garden was not ordered to close. However, the restaurant must address all major violations before their next inspection to maintain their operating permit. The violations particularly concern food safety experts because they involve multiple points where contamination could spread - from the dishwasher that cleans serving items, to improper food handling procedures, to equipment that hasn't been properly maintained.

First Inspection on Record

This appears to be Win Garden's first recorded inspection in the San Francisco Department of Public Health database, making it difficult to assess whether these violations represent ongoing issues or problems that developed recently. For Glen Park residents who frequent the Diamond Street corridor, this inspection serves as a reminder to check restaurant inspection records before dining. The routine inspection process is designed to protect public health by identifying violations before they lead to foodborne illness outbreaks. Customers who dined at Win Garden before these violations were corrected may have been exposed to food prepared in unsanitary conditions, though no illnesses have been reported in connection with this establishment.