Imperial Tea Court Reopens After Fixing Mouse, Equipment Issues

Imperial Tea Court@ferry Bldg has reopened to customers after successfully addressing multiple health violations that led to its closure, including mouse droppings and critical equipment failures. The beloved tea house at 1 Ferry Building in the Financial District passed this inspection on August 29th after correcting all violations identified during the previous inspection on August 21st.

Health Violations Corrected

During the failed inspection that forced the temporary closure, health inspectors discovered a troubling array of violations that posed serious risks to customer safety. Mouse droppings were found throughout the facility, indicating an active rodent infestation that could contaminate food and surfaces with dangerous bacteria including salmonella and E. coli. The presence of mice in food preparation areas represents one of the most serious health code violations restaurants can face. The inspection also revealed critical equipment failures including a leaking handwash sink, which prevents proper hand hygiene among food handlers. A damaged cutting board posed contamination risks, while cardboard-lined shelving violated food storage regulations by creating unsanitary surfaces that can harbor bacteria and attract pests. Food safety violations included improperly stored spring rolls that lacked required heat lamps to maintain safe temperatures. This temperature control failure could have exposed customers to foodborne illnesses, as hot foods must be kept at 140°F or higher to prevent dangerous bacterial growth.

Swift Resolution and Reopening

Inspector John Wells confirmed that all violations have been completely remediated during the reinspection. The restaurant addressed the rodent problem with professional pest control measures, repaired the leaking handwash sink to ensure proper sanitation, and replaced damaged equipment with food-safe materials. The establishment also corrected its food storage and temperature control procedures to meet health department standards. The comprehensive corrections demonstrate Imperial Tea Court's commitment to customer safety and food hygiene. The facility received clearance to reopen after demonstrating full compliance with San Francisco health regulations during the follow-up inspection conducted by the Department of Public Health.

Financial District Dining Impact

Imperial Tea Court's reopening is significant for the Financial District dining scene, particularly for workers and tourists visiting the iconic Ferry Building Marketplace. Located steps from Embarcadero BART, the tea house serves as a popular destination for authentic Chinese tea culture and dim sum-style offerings. The restaurant's quick response to health violations reflects positively on management's dedication to maintaining safe dining conditions. Customers can now return with confidence knowing that all health hazards have been properly addressed and the facility has passed rigorous reinspection standards. For diners concerned about restaurant safety, the San Francisco Department of Public Health maintains public inspection records that provide transparency about food establishment compliance. Imperial Tea Court's successful resolution of these violations demonstrates the effectiveness of the city's inspection and follow-up process in protecting public health. Staff Reporter at SF Restaurant Inspections