Castro's Hulu Wa Bistro Gets Conditional Pass on Health Exam

Hulu Wa Bistro in Castro received a conditional pass during a health department reinspection on November 4, 2025, with inspectors identifying two critical violations requiring immediate employee retraining on proper equipment usage and food safety protocols. The restaurant at 3970 B 17th Street can continue serving customers while addressing the violations found during this inspection, which took place from 2:00 PM to 3:25 PM. Health inspectors discovered employees improperly using the three-compartment warewash sink for food preparation, including cutting raw meat directly in the sink designated for dishware cleaning.

Inspection Details

Inspector Katherine Tuazon documented two critical violations related to demonstration of knowledge, highlighting the need for comprehensive staff retraining on proper equipment usage. The primary concern centered on employees' lack of understanding regarding the distinct purposes of warewash sinks versus food preparation sinks. "Lack of knowledge on proper use of warewash sink and food prep sink. Observed cut raw meat inside the 3 compartment sink," inspectors noted in their report. The violation description emphasized the immediate need to "re-train employee on the use of sinks and on proper use of equipment on food preparation." The conditional pass allows the establishment to remain operational while implementing corrective measures, demonstrating that while violations were present, they did not pose an immediate threat requiring closure. One violation was corrected on-site during the inspection, showing the restaurant's willingness to address issues promptly.

Food Safety Protocols

The violations highlight critical food safety protocols that distinguish between equipment designed for washing dishes and areas designated for food preparation. Using warewash sinks for cutting raw meat creates significant cross-contamination risks, as these sinks are intended solely for cleaning dishes, utensils, and cookware. Proper food safety protocols require designated food preparation areas with appropriate sinks that maintain separation between clean dishware and raw food products. The three-compartment sink system serves a specific purpose in restaurant operations - wash, rinse, and sanitize - and should never be compromised by food preparation activities. The inspection findings indicate that while the restaurant's physical infrastructure meets health department standards, staff training on equipment usage requires immediate attention to prevent future violations.

Previous Inspection History

This reinspection followed a previous inspection on October 21, 2025, which resulted in a failed rating. The November 4 conditional pass represents progress in the restaurant's efforts to achieve full compliance with San Francisco health regulations. The reinspection process allows restaurants to demonstrate corrective actions taken since their initial failed inspection. Hulu Wa Bistro's conditional pass indicates substantial improvement, with only training-related violations remaining to be addressed.

Neighborhood Context

Located near the Castro St Muni station, Hulu Wa Bistro serves the vibrant Castro district community. The restaurant's commitment to addressing health department concerns while maintaining operations shows dedication to both regulatory compliance and customer service. The conditional pass status requires follow-up verification that employee retraining has been completed and proper sink usage protocols are being followed consistently. Customers can continue dining at the establishment with confidence that identified issues are being actively addressed through comprehensive staff education and improved food safety practices.