Gochees Pizza Gets Conditional Pass Despite Equipment Issues

Gochees Pizza in San Francisco's Financial District received a conditional pass during a health department reinspection on August 29, 2025, while working to address equipment maintenance issues that require correction but do not pose immediate safety risks requiring closure. The pizza restaurant at 2 Embarcadero Center Unit B6, conveniently located near Embarcadero BART, can continue serving customers while completing necessary equipment repairs identified during the follow-up inspection conducted by Inspector John Wells from 10:30 AM to 10:45 AM.

Equipment Issues Identified

During this inspection, health officials found two major violations requiring attention. The primary concern involves the restaurant's dishwashing machine, which measured 0 parts per million of sanitizer during its sanitize cycle instead of the required 50 ppm of chlorine sanitizer. This cleaning equipment malfunction affects the facility's ability to properly sanitize food contact surfaces through automated washing. Additionally, inspectors discovered that both hot and cold water handles at the food preparation sink were inoperable, preventing proper access to running water under pressure. These equipment problems represent maintenance issues that require repair rather than violations indicating unsafe food handling practices.

Temporary Safety Measures

Restaurant management has implemented immediate corrective measures to maintain food safety standards while equipment repairs are completed. Staff members have been directed to manually wash and sanitize all utensils using a three-compartment sink with 100 ppm chlorine solution, ensuring proper sanitization continues despite the dishwasher malfunction. This temporary protocol allows the restaurant to maintain its commitment to food safety while addressing the underlying equipment problems. The manual sanitization process meets health department standards and provides an effective interim solution for maintaining clean food contact surfaces.

Previous Inspection Context

The conditional reinspection revealed that these same violations were present during the previous inspection conducted on August 22, 2025. The follow-up inspection was specifically designed to verify whether the restaurant had addressed these equipment maintenance issues within the standard correction timeframe. While the violations remain uncorrected, the conditional pass status recognizes that the restaurant has established proper interim procedures and is actively working toward equipment repairs. This approach balances public health protection with practical business operations.

Accelerated Follow-Up Schedule

Due to the ongoing equipment issues, health officials have accelerated the next routine inspection schedule from the standard 12-month interval to six months. This enhanced monitoring ensures that equipment repairs are completed and that the restaurant maintains consistent compliance with food safety regulations. The shortened inspection cycle demonstrates the health department's commitment to verifying long-term compliance while allowing businesses to continue operations during necessary repairs. Customers can expect continued service at Gochees Pizza as management works to resolve these maintenance-related violations and return to full compliance. The restaurant's ability to receive a conditional pass while addressing these issues reflects the distinction between equipment maintenance problems and serious food safety violations that would require immediate closure.