SF Vietnamese Restaurant Receives Conditional Pass with Corrections

Pho Day, a Vietnamese restaurant located at 59 30th Street in San Francisco's Mission district, received a conditional pass during its November 18, 2025 health inspection after addressing multiple minor violations that were corrected on-site. The routine inspection, conducted from 2:10 PM to 3:50 PM, resulted in 11 total violations with most being immediately resolved during the inspector's visit. The conditional pass allows the restaurant to continue serving customers while demonstrating its commitment to food safety standards. Seven of the 11 violations identified during this inspection were corrected immediately, showcasing the establishment's responsiveness to health department requirements.

Inspection Details

The most serious concern addressed during the inspection involved pest control, as inspectors discovered dead cockroaches in the hand sink and on a shelf near the prep cooler. Staff immediately removed the pests and cleaned and sanitized the affected areas under inspector supervision. This violation was classified as critical but was resolved on-site. Temperature control issues were also identified and promptly corrected. Inspectors found rice noodles at 81°F in shallow pans near the stove, along with cooling procedures that needed adjustment. Broths at 91°F and 125°F were found cooling without proper intervention, and various food items were improperly covered during the cooling process. Staff relocated noodles to refrigeration, uncovered foods as needed, and received education on proper cooling methods. Food safety protocols required attention in several areas. The inspection revealed that food handler cards for staff had expired and needed renewal within 30 days. Additionally, inspectors observed staff washing gloved hands without soap, prompting immediate education and correction. The sanitizer setup was also incomplete at the time of inspection, with staff having started food preparation approximately four hours earlier without proper sanitizing solutions in place.

Additional Compliance Issues

Storage and sanitation practices needed improvement throughout the facility. Raw meat was found stored behind cooked tofu in drawer coolers, creating potential cross-contamination risks. Food items were observed on floors in both the walk-in cooler and dry storage areas. Heavy grease buildup on the griddle, hood backsplash, and filters required attention, along with food debris accumulation on kitchen surfaces and storage containers. Minor equipment violations included improper storage of in-use utensils, such as rice scoops kept in room temperature water instead of at proper temperatures or on clean, dry surfaces. Staff also needed education about thawing procedures after frozen chicken wings were found thawing improperly in the hand sink.

Restaurant Operations

Despite the violations identified, Pho Day remains operational and continues serving Vietnamese cuisine to customers in the Mission district. The restaurant is conveniently located near 24th Street Mission BART, making it accessible to both local residents and commuters. The conditional pass status indicates that while corrections were needed, the violations were not severe enough to warrant closure. The establishment's willingness to immediately address issues during the inspection demonstrates a commitment to maintaining health standards and ensuring customer safety. This marks the first recorded inspection for Pho Day in the city's database, making it a new addition to the Mission district's dining landscape. The restaurant will need to maintain compliance with all health code requirements and may be subject to follow-up inspections to ensure continued adherence to food safety protocols. Restaurant management can contact the San Francisco Department of Public Health for guidance on maintaining compliance and preventing future violations during routine inspections.