Nizarios Pizza Gets Conditional Pass on Minor Health Issues

Nizarios Pizza on Geary Boulevard received a conditional pass during its November 12th health inspection, allowing the Inner Richmond Italian restaurant to remain open while addressing minor violations that require correction but do not pose immediate safety risks to diners. The routine inspection conducted between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM revealed 12 total violations at the 3840 Geary Boulevard establishment, including one critical violation involving rodent evidence, seven major violations related to equipment and sanitation procedures, and four minor violations that were corrected on-site during the inspection.

Inspection Details

The most significant finding during this inspection was the discovery of dry rodent droppings on the floor under a three-door refrigerator unit. Inspector Lucas Willis required the facility to immediately clean and sanitize the affected area, remove all droppings, and provide documentation of their most recent pest control service. The restaurant must also implement monitoring procedures to ensure the rodent activity is no longer present. Equipment maintenance issues featured prominently among the violations cited. Inspectors found broken or missing door gaskets on both the cold-top prep cooler and a one-door proofing cooler, requiring immediate repair or replacement. The facility was also cited for using duct tape on equipment throughout the restaurant and improperly lining food prep coolers with plastic wrap, practices that must be discontinued in favor of proper repairs. Food storage and sanitation violations included storing canned tomato sauce directly on the floor instead of the required six inches above ground level, and keeping toilet bowl cleaning tablets above the dough machine in the food preparation area. The restaurant also lacked proper sanitizer setup at the beginning of the inspection despite being open for food service, though staff immediately corrected this violation by preparing a sanitizer bucket with appropriate chlorine levels.

Documentation and Certification Issues

The inspection revealed missing food safety documentation, with no food safety manager certificate or food handler cards available on-site. The restaurant must provide copies of all required certifications to the inspector and maintain them on the premises for future inspections. Additionally, while the business license certificate was available, it was not properly posted as required, and the permit to operate was not available during the inspection. Cleaning and maintenance issues extended to multiple areas of the facility. Inspectors observed mold-like growth in door gaskets of both one-door and three-door dough proofing coolers, requiring thorough cleaning and sanitization. Wire racks in the proofing coolers showed dust and debris buildup that must be addressed. The facility also lacked chlorine test strips, essential equipment for monitoring sanitizer effectiveness.

Operational Continuity

Despite the violations found, the conditional pass allows Nizarios Pizza to continue serving customers near the 38 Geary bus line while implementing the required corrections. Several violations were addressed immediately during the inspection, demonstrating the restaurant's commitment to compliance. Staff corrected the sanitizer bucket setup, relocated cleaning chemicals away from food prep areas, and properly stored wiping cloths in sanitizing solution. The restaurant must also address structural issues, including sealing two holes larger than a quarter-inch in the ceiling of the walkway to the back prep area. These openings must be repaired with durable, easily cleanable materials to prevent pest entry and maintain proper sanitation standards. As this represents the first recorded inspection for this Inner Richmond establishment, the conditional pass provides a baseline for future compliance efforts. The restaurant's ability to immediately correct several violations during the inspection suggests management's willingness to maintain proper food safety standards while addressing the remaining issues requiring attention. The facility must complete all required corrections and provide necessary documentation to Inspector Willis for review, ensuring full compliance with San Francisco health department regulations while continuing to serve the local community.