Mugizo Japanese Restaurant Gets Conditional Pass for Minor Issues

Mugizo, the Japanese restaurant located at 1581 Webster Street in Pacific Heights, received a conditional pass during a reinspection on August 13, 2025, allowing the establishment to continue serving customers while addressing minor equipment and maintenance issues identified by health inspectors. The reinspection, conducted between 10:30 and 11:15 AM, revealed one major violation related to food contact surface sanitization that requires correction but does not pose an immediate threat to public health. The restaurant can remain operational while implementing the necessary fixes.

Equipment Issues Requiring Attention

The primary concern identified during this inspection centered on the mechanical dishwasher's sanitizer dispensing system. Inspector Aron Wong noted that the dishwasher was "not dispensing 50ppm again" due to a connection problem where "the tube into chlorine is not connected properly nor sucking up sanitizer." To address this immediate concern, restaurant staff were instructed to utilize the three-compartment sink for sanitizing dishes after washing them in the mechanical dishwasher for soap and rinsing steps. This temporary solution ensures proper sanitization while the dishwasher's sanitizer system undergoes repairs. The violation falls under California Retail Food Code Section 114099, which governs the cleanliness and sanitization of food contact surfaces. Proper sanitization is crucial for preventing cross-contamination and ensuring food safety in commercial kitchen operations.

Facility Maintenance Requirements

In addition to the dishwasher issue, inspectors noted that concrete repairs in food preparation areas need replacement with approved materials such as tile or FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic). This maintenance requirement addresses long-term food safety standards and ensures the kitchen meets regulatory specifications for food service operations. The concrete flooring concern represents a common maintenance issue in older restaurant facilities, where original construction materials may not meet current food safety standards. The restaurant will need to update these surfaces with materials that are easier to clean and sanitize effectively.

Operational Continuity

Despite these violations, the conditional pass allows Mugizo to continue serving its Japanese cuisine to customers in the bustling Pacific Heights neighborhood, conveniently located near Fillmore bus lines. The restaurant operates under EK Food Services Inc. and can be reached at (650) 787-9301. The conditional status indicates that while corrections are necessary, the violations do not pose an immediate risk to public health that would warrant closure. This designation allows restaurants to maintain operations while addressing identified issues within a specified timeframe.

Inspection Context and Follow-up

This August reinspection represents the first documented health department evaluation for Mugizo in the available inspection records. The reinspection nature suggests the restaurant was working to address previously identified concerns, demonstrating a commitment to regulatory compliance. The facility will need to schedule a follow-up inspection once repairs to the dishwasher sanitizer system are completed and the concrete flooring is replaced with approved materials. Successful completion of these corrections should result in a full pass rating during the next inspection cycle. Restaurant patrons can continue to enjoy Mugizo's offerings while the establishment works diligently to perfect its operations and meet all health department standards for food service in San Francisco.