5 Degree Tea House Gets Conditional Pass for Equipment Issues

5 Degree Tea House in Visitacion Valley received a conditional pass during a December 3, 2025 health reinspection, with inspectors noting continued equipment violations that require correction but do not pose immediate closure risks. The restaurant at 2527 San Bruno Avenue near the T-Third Muni line can continue serving customers while addressing the identified issues.

Equipment Violations Persist

During this inspection, health officials documented the restaurant's continued use of a household black air fryer for preparing chicken bites, a practice that violates commercial food safety requirements. The inspector emphasized that household equipment cannot withstand the demands of commercial use and may harbor bacteria in cracks and crevices that are difficult to sanitize properly. The most significant equipment concern involves the ice machine, where inspectors found the door completely detached from the unit in the back kitchen area. This mechanical failure poses potential contamination risks and requires immediate repair to maintain proper food safety standards. The broken ice machine represents a continuation of equipment issues first identified during the restaurant's previous inspection.

Ventilation and Sanitation Concerns

Inspectors also cited inadequate ventilation in the main kitchen area where the air fryer was being used. The lack of approved mechanical exhaust ventilation for removing grease, vapors, smoke, and steam creates an unsafe cooking environment. Additionally, grease debris was observed accumulating on walls and fan equipment above the ice machine, indicating insufficient cleaning protocols in food preparation areas. The restaurant was also found lacking proper test strips for measuring chlorine sanitizer concentration, though the operator was able to provide pH test strips during the inspection. This deficiency highlights the importance of maintaining complete sanitization monitoring systems in commercial kitchens.

Previous Inspection History

The December 3 reinspection followed a previous inspection on November 24, 2025, which also resulted in a conditional pass. That routine inspection revealed multiple violations including missing food safety manager certification, the same household air fryer issue, the broken ice machine door, and inadequate ventilation systems. The pattern of equipment-related violations suggests the restaurant has been working to address compliance issues but has not yet completed all necessary corrections. The conditional pass status allows the establishment to remain operational while implementing required changes, demonstrating the health department's recognition that these violations, while serious, do not pose immediate public health emergencies.

Continued Operations and Compliance Path

5 Degree Tea House can continue serving customers in the Visitacion Valley neighborhood while working to resolve the identified equipment and ventilation issues. The conditional pass indicates that while violations were found, they are correctable and do not warrant immediate closure. To achieve full compliance, the restaurant must replace the household air fryer with commercial NSF-approved equipment, repair the ice machine door, install proper mechanical ventilation for cooking operations, and maintain adequate sanitization testing supplies. The establishment will likely face another follow-up inspection to verify these corrections have been completed. The restaurant's ability to maintain operations during the correction period reflects the health department's balanced approach to enforcement, allowing businesses to address violations while continuing to serve their communities responsibly. Staff Reporter at SF Restaurant Inspections