Poke Stone Inc Closed for Hand Washing and Food Storage Issues

A popular poke restaurant in Chinatown has been forced to close its doors after health inspectors discovered serious violations that compromised basic food safety standards. Poke Stone Inc, located at 33 Kearny Street near Montgomery St BART, failed its routine inspection on September 22, 2025, when inspector Sophia Huie found multiple critical health code violations that put customers at risk.

Hand Washing Facilities Compromised

The most alarming discovery during this inspection involved the restaurant's handwashing facilities. Inspectors found a metal scrubber stored directly in the hand sink and dish gloves stored on the splash guard of the hand washing station located in the back prep room. This violation effectively blocked employees from properly washing their hands, creating a direct pathway for contamination of food products. Without access to proper handwashing facilities, restaurant staff handling raw fish and other ingredients could not maintain basic hygiene standards. This poses serious risks for foodborne illness transmission, particularly dangerous when dealing with raw seafood commonly found in poke bowls.

Food Storage Violations

The inspection revealed additional concerning practices in the restaurant's food storage operations. Inspectors discovered two boxes of avocados stored directly on the floor in the back prep room, violating basic food safety protocols. Floor storage exposes food to contamination from cleaning chemicals, pest droppings, and other dangerous substances that accumulate at ground level. The facility also failed to provide required consumer advisories for raw or undercooked foods on their menu or at the register, leaving customers unaware of potential health risks associated with consuming raw fish and other uncooked ingredients typical in restaurant preparations.

Plumbing and Sanitation Issues

Additional violations centered on the restaurant's plumbing infrastructure. Inspectors identified that the prep sink waste pipe maintained less than the required one-inch air gap from the top of the floor drain. This equipment issue creates potential for sewage backup and cross-contamination between waste water and food preparation areas. The plumbing violation was cited twice in the inspection report, indicating the severity of the issue and potential for widespread contamination if not immediately addressed. Without proper backflow prevention devices, contaminated water could flow back into food preparation sinks used for washing ingredients and equipment.

Restaurant History and Impact

This marks the first recorded inspection for Poke Stone Inc in the city's database, making the immediate closure particularly significant for a new establishment. The restaurant had no previous inspection history to indicate whether these violations represented ongoing issues or recent developments. The closure impacts the busy Chinatown dining scene, where the restaurant served customers seeking fresh poke bowls and Hawaiian-style cuisine. Located steps from Montgomery St BART station, the establishment was positioned to serve both tourists and commuters in the heart of San Francisco's financial district. Inspector Sophia Huie conducted the inspection between 11:45 AM and 12:30 PM, documenting four total violations that resulted in the immediate closure. The restaurant received the inspection report through representative Shirley Cheng, but no reopening date has been scheduled pending correction of all identified violations. The health department requires restaurants to address all violations and pass a follow-up inspection before resuming operations, ensuring customer safety standards are met before reopening to the public.