Elks Club Gets Conditional Pass, Must Fix Minor Bar Issues

Elks Club on Post Street received a conditional pass during a health department reinspection on October 7, 2025, allowing the Tenderloin establishment to continue serving patrons while addressing minor violations in the bar area. The restaurant can remain open to the public as it works to correct issues that pose minimal risk to food safety. Inspector Sophia Huie conducted this inspection from 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM, finding three violations that require attention but do not warrant closure. The facility demonstrated significant improvement from its previous inspection, with most violations successfully corrected.

Bar Area Violations Identified

The primary concern centered on the bar operations, where inspectors observed fruit flies present in the facility. The restaurant must continue working with their licensed pest control service to eliminate the fruit fly infestation and thoroughly remove any evidence of harborage areas that attract these pests. Additionally, health officials discovered a mold-like substance growing on the soda gun dispenser holders at the bar. The establishment received specific instructions to thoroughly remove this growth and properly clean and sanitize all soda gun dispensers to prevent future contamination. This violation falls under California Retail Food Code Section 114099, which mandates that all food contact surfaces remain clean and sanitized. Food safety experts note that while fruit flies can carry bacteria, the conditional pass indicates these issues can be resolved without compromising public safety. The mold-like substance on beverage dispensers, though unsightly, represents a maintenance issue rather than an immediate health threat.

Significant Progress Demonstrated

The reinspection revealed substantial improvements from the facility's previous visit on September 30, 2025. The restaurant successfully corrected multiple violations, including repairing and servicing the dish machine at the bar, which now properly dispenses 50ppm chlorine sanitizer solution. Staff also thoroughly cleaned and sanitized the ice machine interior and ice scoop for the main kitchen. Most notably, no flies were observed in the dish area and main kitchen during this inspection, demonstrating the effectiveness of the restaurant's ongoing pest control efforts. The establishment also properly relocated ice storage equipment and sanitized food handling tools as required.

Equipment Maintenance in Progress

The inspection noted that the two-door prep cooler at the cook's line requires repair or replacement. Restaurant management informed the inspector they have arranged for the equipment to be replaced within approximately one week, showing proactive attention to maintenance needs.

Operational Status and Next Steps

Located at 456 Post Street near the Powell Street BART station, the restaurant continues normal operations while addressing the identified issues. The conditional pass status allows patrons to dine with confidence as the establishment works on final compliance details. The restaurant must complete corrections for the remaining violations before the next follow-up inspection, which will be scheduled at the inspector's discretion. Given the minor nature of the violations and the facility's demonstrated commitment to improvement, full compliance appears readily achievable. This inspection underscores the importance of ongoing maintenance and pest control in food service establishments, while highlighting how restaurants can successfully address health department concerns without disrupting service to their customers.