North Beach Seafood Restaurant Fails Reinspection Again

Nicks Lighthouse, the North Beach seafood institution at 2815 Taylor Street, has failed its second consecutive health inspection despite previous warnings, with inspectors discovering multiple equipment failures and dangerous food storage conditions that put customers at serious risk. During this inspection on October 8, 2025, health officials found that the restaurant had corrected some violations from its previous failed inspection just one day earlier, but critical equipment problems persisted. Multiple refrigeration units were operating at dangerously high temperatures, with the 2-door True cooler reaching 49°F, the food prep cooler at 52°F, and another 2-door upright unit also failing at 49°F.

Temperature Violations Endanger Customers

The temperature violations discovered during the reinspection posed immediate health risks to diners. Inspectors found milk stored at 48°F that had to be discarded, while shrimp and crab salad were both held at 51°F - well above safe refrigeration temperatures. Hamburger meat was stored at 45°F and fish at 46°F, both exceeding safe limits that prevent bacterial growth. These temperature failures create ideal conditions for dangerous bacteria like Clostridium perfringens, which multiplies rapidly in the temperature danger zone, and Listeria, which can grow even at refrigeration temperatures. Staff attempted temporary measures by adding ice to keep foods cold, but the underlying equipment issues remained unresolved.

Sanitization Failures Continue

Perhaps most concerning for food safety, the restaurant's dishwashing machine was found operating with 0 ppm chlorine sanitizer during its cycle, meaning dishes and utensils were not being properly sanitized between uses. Additionally, two towel buckets contained no sanitizer, violating basic food contact surface protocols that prevent cross-contamination. The inspection also revealed that food handler cards for employees could not be located during the visit, as they were reportedly stored at an office location not accessible during the inspection time.

Previous Inspection History

This reinspection failure comes just one day after the restaurant's initial failed inspection on October 7, which uncovered even more disturbing conditions including mouse droppings throughout the facility, a dead mouse on a glue trap, mold in the ice machine, and crabs stored directly on the freezer floor. The pattern of violations suggests systemic food safety issues at the popular tourist destination, which sits near the Powell-Mason Cable Car line and serves both locals and visitors to the North Beach district.

Required Follow-Up

Inspector John Wells has mandated another follow-up inspection by October 14, 2025, requiring the restaurant to demonstrate that all refrigeration equipment has been properly repaired and that sanitization protocols are fully operational. The facility was not ordered closed but must address these critical violations before the deadline. For customers who recently dined at Nicks Lighthouse, health officials recommend monitoring for symptoms of foodborne illness, particularly if they consumed seafood items that may have been improperly stored at dangerous temperatures. The restaurant's owner, Sung Ki Kim, could not be reached for comment regarding the ongoing equipment failures and food safety violations.