5 Degree Tea House in Visitacion Valley received a conditional pass during its November 24 routine health inspection, allowing the restaurant to remain open while addressing minor equipment and ventilation violations. The tea house at 2527 San Bruno Avenue must correct several issues by December 1, 2025, but can continue serving customers without interruption.
Equipment and Safety Concerns
During this inspection, health officials identified several equipment-related violations that require attention. The most significant issue involved the use of a household black air fryer at the main kitchen food preparation table for cooking chicken bites, which violates commercial kitchen equipment standards. Household appliances cannot withstand the demands of commercial food service and may harbor bacteria in areas difficult to clean properly. Inspectors also discovered a completely detached ice machine door at the back kitchen area that fell to the floor when opened, creating both safety and sanitation concerns. Additionally, an ice scoop was found buried directly in the ice inside the machine, requiring immediate relocation to an approved container to prevent contamination.Ventilation and Cleanliness Issues
The inspection revealed inadequate mechanical exhaust ventilation in the main kitchen area where the air fryer was being used, along with grease debris buildup on walls and fan equipment above the ice machine. Inspectors noted gross accumulation of debris and grease on walls and ceilings above both the ice machine and food preparation areas, indicating the need for enhanced cleaning protocols. One positive note during the inspection was the quick correction of a sanitizer concentration issue. When inspectors found the chlorine sanitizer solution measuring only 25 parts per million, restaurant staff immediately added more chlorine to achieve the proper 100 ppm concentration required for effective sanitization.Operational Requirements
The restaurant operator was unable to provide a valid food safety manager certificate at the time of inspection and lacked proper chemical test strips for measuring chlorine sanitizer concentration. These administrative requirements are essential for maintaining proper food safety protocols and must be addressed during the correction period.Continued Service and Compliance
Despite these violations, the conditional pass allows 5 Degree Tea House to continue serving customers near the T-Third Muni line while making necessary corrections. The restaurant has until December 1, 2025, to address all identified issues before the required follow-up inspection.Recent Inspection History
This marks the second inspection for the facility within recent months. A December 3 reinspection found continued issues with the household air fryer equipment and broken ice machine door, along with missing test strips for sanitizer concentration and inadequate ventilation for cooking operations. The conditional pass reflects the restaurant's ability to operate safely while working toward full compliance. Customers can continue enjoying the establishment's offerings with confidence that immediate health risks have been addressed, while management works systematically to resolve the remaining equipment and maintenance issues identified during the inspection process.📍 Related Information
| Restaurant Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | 5 DEGREE TEA HOUSE |
| Address | 2527 SAN BRUNO AVE |
| District | Visitacion Valley |
| Inspection Date | November 24, 2025 |
| Inspection Type | Routine Inspection |