SF Tunar House Closed for Illegal Cooking Operations Setup

Tunar House, an Inner Sunset restaurant located at 2146 Irving Street near the N-Judah Muni line, was forced to close its doors following a routine health inspection that uncovered unauthorized cooking operations within the dining area. San Francisco health inspector William Bajjalieh discovered during this inspection on October 8, 2025, that restaurant staff had set up an illegal cooking station using portable induction equipment to prepare food for customers. The inspector found a metal insert containing cooked beef inside a three-door upright refrigerator, which the owner confirmed via phone call had been prepared using an unauthorized induction burner located within the restaurant premises.

Health Violations Found

The discovery of the makeshift cooking setup represented a serious breach of San Francisco's food service regulations. Restaurants are required to use only approved commercial-grade cooking equipment that meets city safety standards and proper ventilation requirements. The use of portable induction burners in dining areas poses significant fire hazards and prevents proper temperature control necessary for safe food preparation. Inspector Bajjalieh also cited the restaurant for failing to provide required consumer advisory warnings on their menu regarding the risks associated with consuming raw or undercooked foods. This violation appeared twice in the inspection report, indicating the restaurant's menu completely lacked the mandatory health warnings that inform customers about potential foodborne illness risks from undercooked items. During the inspection, the owner acknowledged the unauthorized cooking operations and agreed to seek alternative arrangements. The inspector offered the owner an operational statement that would allow food preparation at a properly licensed facility, demonstrating the health department's willingness to work with establishments to achieve compliance.

Immediate Closure and Safety Concerns

The combination of unauthorized cooking equipment and missing consumer advisories created an environment where customers faced heightened risks of foodborne illness and potential fire hazards. Portable cooking equipment lacks the proper ventilation systems required for safe indoor food preparation, potentially exposing diners to harmful fumes and creating fire risks in a crowded dining space. The absence of consumer advisory warnings meant customers ordering items like rare meats, raw fish, or undercooked eggs had no knowledge of the associated health risks. These warnings are mandated by the FDA and San Francisco health codes specifically because consuming undercooked foods can lead to serious foodborne illnesses including salmonella, E. coli, and other bacterial infections.

Restaurant History and Compliance

This inspection represents the first recorded health department visit for Tunar House, indicating the restaurant may be a new establishment in the Inner Sunset neighborhood. The lack of previous inspection history means health officials had no prior warning signs about the restaurant's operational practices. Inspector Bajjalieh can be reached at william.bajjalieh@sfdph.org or (415) 252-3918 for questions regarding the closure. The restaurant remains closed pending resolution of the violations and approval of proper cooking facilities. Mia Shi, identified as the person in charge during the inspection, will need to demonstrate compliance with all health code requirements before the restaurant can reopen to serve customers safely. The closure serves as a reminder that all San Francisco restaurants must operate within established health and safety guidelines designed to protect both customers and staff from preventable hazards and foodborne illnesses.