North Beach Restaurant Fails Reinspection with Lint Buildup

North Beach Restaurant at 1512 Stockton Street in San Francisco's North Beach district failed its reinspection on October 17, 2025, marking a concerning pattern of persistent cleanliness violations despite previous warnings from health inspectors. The restaurant's failure stems from ongoing lint accumulation on walls in kitchen skylight wells, a violation that has remained uncorrected since the facility's previous inspection nearly a month ago. Inspector John Wells noted during this inspection that despite multiple corrections made by management, this basic cleaning issue persists in the food preparation area.

Mixed Results on Food Safety Corrections

While the restaurant demonstrated significant improvements in critical food safety areas, the failure to address structural cleanliness issues raises questions about management's attention to detail. The inspection revealed that the establishment successfully corrected several major violations from their September 19 conditional inspection, including ensuring proper food handler certification, maintaining correct hot and cold holding temperatures, and fixing a ceiling leak in the dry storage area. Temperature control, a critical factor in preventing foodborne illness, showed marked improvement during the reinspection. Foods on the steam table registered at proper holding temperatures of 135 degrees Fahrenheit or above, while items on the cook's cold table maintained safe temperatures at 41 degrees or below. The restaurant also addressed a concerning garlic-in-oil temperature violation, moving the product to proper cold storage and implementing better temperature control procedures.

Persistent Cleanliness Concerns

The ongoing lint accumulation in the kitchen's skylight wells represents more than just a cosmetic issue. These conditions can harbor bacteria and create environments that attract pests, potentially contaminating food preparation surfaces below. The violation falls under California Retail Food Code Section 114143 and 114266, which requires that floors, walls, and ceilings be properly built, maintained, and kept clean. Located near the Powell-Mason Cable Car line, the restaurant serves a busy tourist and local clientele in one of San Francisco's most popular dining districts. The facility's inability to address this relatively simple maintenance issue after nearly a month raises concerns about systematic cleanliness protocols.

Previous Inspection History

The restaurant's inspection history reveals a pattern of mixed compliance. The September 19 reinspection resulted in a conditional pass after inspectors identified multiple violations including temperature control issues, plumbing problems, and missing permits. While management successfully addressed the majority of these serious food safety concerns, the persistence of the lint accumulation violation suggests ongoing challenges with comprehensive facility maintenance. Inspector Wells noted that the restaurant will face another routine inspection to verify correction of the remaining violation. The establishment's management, received by Mallory Kolb during the inspection, will need to demonstrate proper cleaning protocols before achieving full compliance. The failed reinspection serves as a reminder that consistent food safety requires attention to all aspects of facility maintenance, not just the most obvious violations. For diners in the popular North Beach area, this ongoing issue highlights the importance of comprehensive health inspections in maintaining food safety standards across the district's numerous dining establishments. Staff Reporter at SF Restaurant Inspections