Caffe Central Gets Conditional Pass Despite Minor Issues

Caffe Central, the popular cafe located at 530 Parnassus Avenue in the Tenderloin district, received a conditional pass during its November 14 health inspection despite several minor violations that require correction. The establishment remains open to customers while addressing the issues identified by San Francisco health inspectors. During this inspection, which took place from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, inspectors found three violations that needed attention, including two major violations and one minor issue that was corrected on-site. The conditional pass allows the restaurant to continue serving customers near the Powell St BART/Muni station while implementing necessary corrections.

Temperature Control Issues Found

The primary concern identified during the inspection involved improper temperature control in the food storage areas. Inspectors discovered the prep refrigerator was holding milk at an unsafe 45°F, which exceeds the required maximum temperature of 41°F for dairy products. The health department advised the restaurant to either service the refrigeration unit or replace it entirely to maintain proper internal temperatures and prevent potential bacterial growth. Additionally, inspectors found spam and cheese breakfast sandwiches being displayed at room temperature in the service case. According to the manager, these items had been left out for approximately two hours without proper temperature control. The inspector provided two compliance options: either apply for Time as a Public Health Control (TPHC) approval from the San Francisco Department of Public Health to legally hold certain foods at room temperature for up to four hours, or maintain all prepared foods at 41°F or below using the cold holding display refrigerator near the point-of-sale system.

Sanitization Setup Corrected

The inspection also revealed an absence of proper sanitizer buckets at the time of arrival, which violated food safety protocols for cleaning and sanitizing equipment. Inspectors noted that white cloth rags must be properly dipped in sanitizer solutions containing at least 100 parts per million bleach solution after each use. This violation was promptly addressed and corrected on-site during the inspection, demonstrating the restaurant's commitment to maintaining proper sanitation standards.

Previous Inspection History

This conditional pass follows a similar result from August 11, 2025, when inspectors found inadequate sanitizer solutions at multiple stations and wiping cloths improperly stored on countertops. That inspection also revealed ice machine maintenance issues with yellow staining requiring cleaning and sanitization. The pattern suggests ongoing challenges with sanitization protocols that management continues to address.

Continued Operations and Correction Timeline

Despite the violations identified, Caffe Central can continue serving its regular menu of cafe fare to customers in the busy Tenderloin neighborhood. The conditional pass status requires the restaurant to correct all identified violations and typically triggers a follow-up inspection to verify compliance with health department standards. The establishment, operated by Sega Food Group Inc, serves the UCSF medical campus area and provides convenient dining options for students, medical professionals, and residents near the Powell St BART/Muni transit hub. Customers can continue to dine at the location while management works to implement the necessary temperature control and sanitization improvements outlined in the inspection report. The health department will likely conduct a re-inspection within the coming weeks to ensure all violations have been properly addressed and that the restaurant maintains compliance with San Francisco food safety regulations.