Papa Noodle Gets Conditional Pass Despite Minor Violations

Papa Noodle in San Francisco's Rincon Hill neighborhood received a conditional pass during a September 17, 2025 reinspection, successfully addressing several minor violations while maintaining operations for customers. The Chinese restaurant at 117 New Montgomery Street demonstrated its commitment to food safety by correcting all five violations identified during this inspection.

Inspection Details

Health inspectors found five violations during the afternoon reinspection, including one major and four minor infractions that were all corrected on-site. The primary concern involved a clogged handwashing sink that had been blocked by food debris, preventing proper employee hygiene protocols. Inspectors emphasized that handwashing facilities must be used exclusively for handwashing purposes to maintain food safety standards. Temperature control emerged as another area requiring attention when inspectors discovered cooked noodles stored at 60 degrees Fahrenheit without proper time labels. The restaurant must complete and return a Time as a Public Health Control agreement to continue using this food safety protocol. This violation highlights the critical importance of maintaining proper food temperatures to prevent bacterial growth that could cause foodborne illness. Food storage violations included cases of soda and cardboard boxes stored directly on the floor, creating potential contamination risks. Proper storage requires keeping all food items elevated to prevent contact with cleaning water and potential pest access. The restaurant quickly addressed this issue by relocating items to appropriate shelving.

Operational Improvements

Additional minor violations centered on sanitation protocols and workspace organization. Inspectors noted that wiping cloths were not being stored in sanitizing solution when not in use, a practice that prevents bacterial buildup and cross-contamination. The restaurant also needed to designate specific areas for personal items and employee food and beverages, keeping them separate from food storage and preparation zones. The inspection revealed open containers of food and soup along with a coffee bar setup inappropriately positioned on food storage shelves. This arrangement violated health code requirements for maintaining clear separation between different types of food items and personal consumption areas.

Restaurant History

The September 17 reinspection followed a previous conditional result from September 3, 2025, when similar violations were identified during a routine inspection. This pattern suggests the restaurant has been working to address recurring compliance issues, particularly around handwashing facilities and food storage protocols. Located near the Montgomery Street BART station, Papa Noodle serves customers in the busy SOMA business district. The restaurant's ability to correct violations on-site during both inspections demonstrates responsiveness to health department requirements while maintaining service for the downtown workforce.

Continued Operations

Despite the conditional pass status, Papa Noodle remains open for business as all violations were addressed during the inspection visit. The conditional designation indicates that while minor issues were found, they did not pose immediate health risks requiring closure. The restaurant must continue following proper protocols to maintain compliance with San Francisco health codes. The inspection emphasizes the importance of consistent food safety practices in busy urban restaurants. Papa Noodle's quick response to inspector recommendations shows dedication to providing safe dining experiences while serving the Rincon Hill community and downtown workers who frequent this convenient location.