Cavalli Cafe Gets Conditional Pass with Minor Violations

Cavalli Cafe in North Beach received a conditional pass during a reinspection on August 20, 2025, allowing the popular cafe to continue serving customers while addressing minor operational issues identified by health inspectors. The inspection at 1441 Stockton Street revealed three violations that require correction but do not pose immediate health risks to patrons. Inspector Michael Mooney conducted the midday inspection from 12:30 PM to 12:55 PM, finding issues primarily related to management oversight and storage practices rather than food safety concerns.

Inspection Details

The most significant violation involved improper storage of household pest control products. Inspectors discovered a can of Raid insect spray stored in the stairwell, prompting immediate guidance about proper pest management protocols. The health department emphasized that restaurants must use licensed professional pest control services rather than over-the-counter household products to ensure food safety compliance. Management oversight emerged as another area requiring attention during this inspection. Employees informed inspectors that the facility has operated without a designated person in charge present, with the manager unavailable due to health issues for approximately two months. This represents a violation of food service regulations requiring qualified management supervision during all operating hours. The inspection also noted proper handwashing procedures after an initial observation of staff washing hands in a three-basin sink rather than the designated handwash station. When requested by the inspector, staff members demonstrated correct handwashing techniques using soap and water at the appropriate sink, showing their understanding of proper hygiene protocols.

Operational Compliance

Despite these violations, the conditional pass allows Cavalli Cafe to maintain normal business operations while implementing necessary corrections. The cafe serves the busy North Beach neighborhood near the Powell-Mason Cable Car line, providing convenient dining options for both residents and tourists exploring the historic district. The inspection represents the facility's first recorded health department evaluation, indicating this establishment is relatively new to the San Francisco dining scene. Without previous inspection history to establish patterns, this conditional pass provides a baseline for future compliance monitoring. Restaurant owner Imane Akhbiriq will need to address the management supervision requirement by ensuring a qualified person in charge is present during all operating hours. This includes verifying that management staff understand food safety regulations, can identify potential violations, and maintain proper oversight of daily operations.

Next Steps and Timeline

The health department requires immediate correction of the toxic substance storage violation, mandating professional pest control services going forward. The cafe must also implement consistent management supervision to prevent future violations related to operational oversight. Follow-up inspections will verify compliance with these requirements, though the timeline for reinspection was not immediately specified. The conditional pass status allows continued operation while demonstrating the restaurant's commitment to addressing minor deficiencies identified during the inspection process. For customers, the conditional pass indicates that Cavalli Cafe maintains acceptable food safety standards while working to perfect its operational compliance. The minor nature of violations found during this inspection suggests patrons can continue dining with confidence as the establishment implements inspector recommendations. The cafe continues serving North Beach residents and visitors, contributing to the neighborhood's vibrant dining scene while working toward full health code compliance in upcoming evaluations.