Vietnam House Gets Conditional Pass on SF Reinspection

Vietnam House in Nob Hill received a conditional pass during a September 19 reinspection, successfully addressing minor violations that required immediate attention while maintaining operations at their 642 Eddy Street location. The Vietnamese restaurant demonstrated its commitment to food safety standards by correcting identified issues on-site during the inspection. Inspector Jesus Zapien conducted the reinspection between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM, finding two violations that were promptly addressed by restaurant staff. The facility was able to correct both issues during the inspection period, allowing the establishment to continue serving customers without interruption.

Inspection Details

During this inspection, health officials identified specific areas requiring immediate correction. The primary concern involved improper use of handwashing facilities, where a bowl of lettuce was found stored inside the front hand wash sink. Inspector Zapien instructed restaurant management to discontinue storing food items in handwashing areas to ensure proper hygiene procedures could be maintained. The restaurant staff immediately removed the lettuce and cleaned the sink area. The second violation involved evidence of past pest activity, with old mouse droppings discovered under a dry storage table in the rear of the facility. The inspector required the contaminated areas to be cleaned and sanitized using a chlorine sanitizing solution. Restaurant management demonstrated their proactive approach by presenting documentation of their most recent pest control service report, showing ongoing efforts to maintain a pest-free environment.

Health Violations Found

The handwashing facility violation represents a critical food safety concern, as proper hand hygiene is essential for preventing contamination and foodborne illness. California Retail Food Code requires handwashing stations to remain accessible and dedicated solely to their intended purpose. By storing food items in the sink, the restaurant inadvertently compromised this vital safety protocol. The pest control issue, while concerning, appeared to be historical evidence rather than an active infestation. Mouse droppings can carry dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus, making immediate sanitization crucial for protecting public health. The restaurant's ability to provide recent pest control documentation indicated their awareness of the importance of ongoing prevention measures.

Previous Inspection History

This reinspection followed a September 8 routine inspection that also resulted in a conditional pass with similar violations. The consistency of issues between inspections suggests the restaurant has been working to address systemic concerns related to handwashing protocols and pest prevention. Both inspections were conducted by the same inspector, ensuring continuity in evaluation standards. The restaurant's location near Van Ness Muni transit options makes it accessible to diverse clientele who rely on consistent food safety standards. Despite the violations found, the establishment's ability to correct issues immediately during inspection demonstrates management's commitment to maintaining proper operations. Vietnam House continues to serve the Nob Hill community while implementing the corrections required during this inspection. The conditional pass status allows the restaurant to remain operational while ensuring all identified concerns have been properly addressed through immediate corrective action and ongoing monitoring efforts.