Emperor Palace Gets Conditional Pass, Minor Issues Found

Emperor Palace Restaurant in San Francisco's Inner Richmond district received a conditional pass on its November 19 health inspection, allowing the Chinese restaurant to remain open while addressing several minor violations that require correction. During this inspection, health officials found ten total violations at the restaurant located at 530 Balboa Street near the 38 Geary bus line. While most issues were correctable and non-threatening to public safety, the facility must address administrative violations and improve cleaning protocols to achieve a full pass rating.

Administrative Violations Require Attention

The most pressing issues involve expired documentation and staff certifications. Inspectors discovered the food manager certificate had expired and two employees were working without valid food handler cards. The restaurant must renew the manager certification and provide proof of employee food handler cards to inspector Lucas Willis via email to maintain compliance with San Francisco health codes. These administrative violations, while serious for regulatory purposes, do not indicate immediate food safety risks but demonstrate the importance of maintaining current documentation for all staff handling food preparation and service.

Pest Control and Sanitation Improvements Needed

Inspectors observed fruit flies and house flies throughout the facility, recommending the restaurant work with its pest control company to eliminate the infestation. The violation suggests improved door management, either keeping entrances closed or installing screens for ventilation while preventing pest entry. Food safety violations included moldy preserved vegetables in refrigeration units, which staff immediately discarded during the inspection. The sanitizer concentration measured too low at 25 parts per million, requiring immediate preparation of proper 100 ppm chlorine sanitizing solution for food contact surfaces.

Food Handling Practices Under Review

Several food handling violations were corrected on-site, including improper thawing methods where frozen shrimp were being defrosted in the three-compartment sink rather than approved methods. Staff also addressed uncovered food containers in multiple refrigeration units and improperly stacked containers. Inspectors noted cleaning deficiencies including mold growth on refrigerator door gaskets, excessive grease buildup on deep fat fryers and adjacent ovens, and food debris accumulation under cooking equipment. The facility must improve cleaning frequency and thoroughness, particularly in areas where grease and food particles tend to accumulate.

Operational Improvements and Follow-up

Additional violations included soiled wiping cloths left on food preparation surfaces instead of being stored in sanitizing solution, slow drainage in floor sinks under the cooking line, and general floor cleaning issues with grease buildup in high-traffic areas. The restaurant's inspection history shows this was a routine inspection following normal scheduling protocols. Just six days later, on November 25, Emperor Palace passed its reinspection, indicating rapid response to correct the identified violations.

Continued Service During Corrections

The conditional pass allows Emperor Palace Restaurant to continue serving customers while addressing the identified issues. This classification indicates violations that require correction but do not pose immediate health risks warranting closure. Located in the bustling Inner Richmond neighborhood, the restaurant serves traditional Chinese cuisine to local residents and visitors exploring the diverse dining options along Balboa Street. The facility's quick response to reinspection requirements demonstrates commitment to maintaining food safety standards. For customers, the conditional pass means normal operations can continue while the restaurant works with health officials to perfect its compliance with San Francisco's food safety regulations.