North Beach Restaurant Gets Conditional Pass on SF Reinspection

North Beach Restaurant on Stockton Street received a conditional pass during a September 19 reinspection, allowing the establishment to remain open while addressing minor violations that pose no immediate health risks to diners. The North Beach dining spot can continue serving customers while working to correct maintenance and administrative issues identified by health inspectors. Health officials conducted this inspection at the restaurant located at 1512 Stockton Street, finding three minor violations that require attention but do not warrant closure. The conditional pass designation means the restaurant meets basic food safety standards while needing to address specific correctable issues within a designated timeframe.

Minor Violations Requiring Correction

Inspectors discovered a plumbing leak in the restaurant's dry storage area downstairs, where water was emerging from the edges of a ceiling panel. Staff had placed buckets and bus boxes to catch the dripping water, demonstrating awareness of the issue. Health officials required the restaurant to repair both the hidden pipe leak and restore the ceiling as needed to prevent future water damage and potential contamination risks. The most significant administrative violation involved missing permits and licenses. Inspectors could not locate the current H-26 public health License Certificate, which restaurants must obtain from the SF Tax Collector's Office and display prominently for public view. Additionally, the required Permit to Operate from Environmental Health was not posted in the designated location adjacent to where the license certificate should hang. Temperature control issues were also noted, with inspectors measuring milk at 50-51 degrees Fahrenheit in the bar's undercounter cooler after the dairy had been stored there for over four hours, leading to its disposal. Steam table potatoes registered 108 degrees Fahrenheit one hour after cooking and required reheating to the proper 165-degree standard. Various refrigerated items including cut tomatoes, garlic in oil, and meat sauces were found at temperatures ranging from 52-56 degrees Fahrenheit, slightly above optimal cold holding temperatures.

Continued Operations and Compliance Path

The conditional pass allows North Beach Restaurant to maintain normal operations while addressing these correctable issues. The establishment serves diners in the bustling North Beach district, easily accessible via the Powell-Mason Cable Car and 30 Stockton bus routes. Restaurant management must obtain replacement permits from the appropriate city offices and ensure proper display in visible locations where customers can review current licensing status. The plumbing repairs represent a more involved correction requiring professional service, but the leak's containment suggests staff awareness and temporary mitigation measures.

Recent Inspection History

The September 19 reinspection followed the restaurant's inspection pattern, with health officials returning to verify compliance improvements. This reinspection format allows establishments to demonstrate corrective actions taken since previous visits, providing a pathway to full compliance without service disruption. The conditional pass reflects San Francisco's balanced approach to restaurant regulation, distinguishing between serious health hazards requiring immediate closure and minor violations that can be corrected while maintaining safe food service. Customers can continue dining at North Beach Restaurant with confidence that basic food safety protocols remain in place while the establishment perfects its operational compliance. Staff Reporter at SF Restaurant Inspections