Fifth St Cafe Corporation in SoMa received a conditional pass during a routine health inspection on November 13, 2025, allowing the popular cafe to remain open while addressing several minor violations that inspectors found during their visit.
The inspection at 155 Fifth Street revealed three primary issues that need correction but do not pose immediate health risks to customers. Inspector Katherine Tuazon conducted the hour-long examination from 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM, documenting violations related to temperature control, documentation, and sanitation protocols.
Temperature Control Issues Identified
The most significant violation involved improper hot holding temperature of delivered soup, which measured 125 degrees Fahrenheit when inspectors arrived. According to the inspection report, staff explained the soup had been delivered approximately 30 minutes prior and would be reheated to the required 165 degrees Fahrenheit before service. However, inspectors noted that temperature logs for reheated food items were not available at the facility for review. The cafe must now implement proper documentation procedures, logging the date, time, temperature, and names of potentially hazardous foods delivered from commissaries, as well as maintaining temperature records for reheated items.Administrative and Sanitation Concerns
Inspectors also discovered that the food safety manager certification had expired, requiring immediate renewal to maintain compliance with San Francisco health regulations. This administrative violation, while not directly impacting food safety operations, must be addressed to ensure continued proper oversight of food handling procedures. During the initial inspection, sanitizer solution was unavailable at food contact surfaces. However, this violation was corrected on-site when staff provided sanitation solution with 100 ppm chlorine concentration, meeting health department requirements.Restaurant Remains Operational
Despite these violations, Fifth St Cafe Corporation continues serving customers near the Civic Center BART station. The conditional pass status allows the business to operate while implementing necessary corrections, demonstrating that violations were minor in nature and did not warrant closure. The cafe specializes in cafe cuisine and has been serving the SoMa community from its Fifth Street location. Phone contact is available at (650) 583-3180 for customers seeking additional information about operations.Follow-Up Inspection Success
A reinspection conducted on December 1, 2025, confirmed that all violations from this inspection had been properly abated. Inspector Katherine Tuazon verified that hot holding temperatures were maintained above 135 degrees Fahrenheit and that temperature logs for reheating and receiving were current and available for review. The successful reinspection demonstrates the establishment's commitment to food safety compliance and proper documentation procedures. This pattern shows how conditional passes can effectively encourage rapid correction of minor issues while allowing businesses to continue serving their communities. The facility's inspection history shows a responsible approach to addressing health department concerns, with prompt resolution of identified violations and maintenance of proper food safety standards following corrective action. Staff Reporter, SF Restaurant Inspections📍 Related Information
| Restaurant Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Fifth st cafe corporation |
| Address | 155 FIFTH ST |
| District | SoMa |
| Cuisine | Cafe |
| Inspection Date | November 13, 2025 |
| Inspection Type | Routine Inspection |