Tsing Tao Restaurant Closed for Temperature Violations

Tsing Tao Restaurant on Clement Street in San Francisco's Outer Richmond neighborhood was forced to close after a follow-up health inspection revealed dangerous temperature violations and multiple food safety failures that put customers at serious risk of foodborne illness. During this inspection on August 19, 2025, health inspector Jessica Jang discovered egg mixtures and noodles sitting at room temperature with no time or temperature controls, measuring between 46 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit - well above the safe 41-degree limit required for potentially hazardous foods. These dangerous temperatures create ideal conditions for rapid bacterial growth, including Salmonella and E. coli, which can cause severe food poisoning within hours of consumption.

Critical Safety Violations Found

The inspection uncovered a cascade of food safety failures at the Chinese restaurant located at 3107 Clement Street, near the 38 Geary bus line. Most alarmingly, the restaurant had no valid food safety manager certification on file, meaning staff lacked proper training in critical food handling procedures that prevent contamination and illness. Inspectors observed staff improperly washing utensils, failing to follow the mandatory three-step sanitization process before hanging up ladles that would later contact food. This violation creates direct pathways for cross-contamination, where harmful bacteria from one surface can spread to multiple food items throughout the kitchen. Additional violations included raw eggs stored above ready-to-eat onions in the walk-in cooler, creating opportunities for dangerous cross-contamination as raw egg liquids could drip onto foods served without further cooking.

Widespread Sanitation Issues

Beyond the immediate food safety threats, inspectors documented extensive grease buildup throughout the kitchen that indicated long-term maintenance neglect. Heavy grease accumulation was found on the four-range stove, hot water heater surfaces, cooking areas near the wok station, ventilation hoods, and floors in both cooking and prep areas. This level of grease buildup not only attracts pests but also creates fire hazards and provides breeding grounds for harmful bacteria. The accumulated grease on cooking equipment can contaminate food and harbor pathogens that cause foodborne illness.

Restaurant's Troubled History

The August closure represents a concerning pattern for the Clement Street establishment. Following the initial closure, Tsing Tao Restaurant underwent a reinspection on October 2, 2025, which resulted in another failure, indicating the restaurant has struggled to address the serious violations that led to its initial shutdown. The restaurant's location in the heart of the Outer Richmond's dining corridor makes this closure particularly significant for local residents and visitors who frequent the area's numerous Asian restaurants along Clement Street.

Health Department Response

The San Francisco Department of Public Health has not yet cleared the restaurant to reopen, and the facility remains closed pending correction of all violations. Restaurant management must provide valid food safety certification documentation to jessica.jang@sfdph.org and demonstrate full compliance with all health code requirements before resuming operations. Customers who ate at Tsing Tao Restaurant in the days leading up to the closure should monitor for symptoms of foodborne illness, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, which can appear within hours to several days after consuming contaminated food. *Staff Reporter at SF Restaurant Inspections*