Wing Lee BBQ Gets Conditional Pass with Temperature Fixes

Wing Lee BBQ Restaurant in San Francisco's Inner Richmond neighborhood received a conditional pass during a health department reinspection on October 20, 2025, after successfully addressing temperature control violations that were corrected on-site. The Chinese restaurant at 501 Clement Street near the 38 Geary bus line remains open to customers while making final adjustments to comply with food safety standards. Inspector Lucas Willis conducted the reinspection from 10:00 AM to 11:25 AM, finding that the restaurant had made significant progress since previous violations. The inspection focused on ensuring proper implementation of time and temperature control protocols following concerns raised during an earlier routine inspection on October 15, 2025.

Temperature Control Improvements

The primary issue addressed during this inspection involved improper food handling practices related to dried pork skin preparation. Inspectors observed the restaurant discontinuing an unapproved practice of drying pork skin at room temperature for 4-6 hours, which poses significant food safety risks due to potential bacterial growth in the danger zone between 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit. The person in charge voluntarily discarded the affected pork skin and agreed to discontinue the unsafe drying practice immediately. This decisive action demonstrated the restaurant's commitment to food safety compliance and helped secure the conditional pass rating. The inspector noted that specialized food processes like dry aging require written approval from appropriate regulatory agencies before implementation.

Ongoing Safety Protocols

During the inspection, Wing Lee BBQ demonstrated improved food safety practices in several areas. The restaurant maintains current pest control service logs, with recent treatments documented for October 7 and October 17, 2025. Staff confirmed that all foods requiring time and temperature control for safety now receive proper labeling with discard times, a critical protocol for preventing foodborne illness. Inspector Willis provided Chinese-language guidance documents and time/temperature control labels to ensure staff fully understand the requirements. The restaurant's certified food manager maintains current certification through March 31, 2026, providing ongoing oversight of food safety operations.

Restaurant Operations Continue

The conditional pass allows Wing Lee BBQ to continue serving customers in the Inner Richmond community while addressing the minor compliance issues identified. The restaurant received a green pass placard, indicating it meets the minimum standards for safe food service. November food preparation was actively occurring during the inspection, showing normal business operations.

Inspection History and Progress

Wing Lee BBQ's inspection record shows a pattern of compliance with occasional minor violations that are promptly corrected. The facility underwent a joint inspection with inspector D. Nguyen, demonstrating the health department's thorough approach to ensuring food safety standards. Following the conditional pass, the restaurant successfully completed corrective measures and reopened with a full pass on November 13, 2025. The restaurant's ownership, 501 Clement LLC, maintains open communication with health inspectors and provides contact information for follow-up inspections. Staff member Lily Cheong received the inspection report, ensuring management awareness of all requirements. Customers can continue enjoying Wing Lee BBQ's offerings with confidence that the restaurant is actively maintaining food safety standards while addressing minor operational improvements identified during routine health department oversight.