Blondies Pizza Stonestown Fails Reinspection After Warnings

Despite previous warnings and a conditional pass just three weeks ago, Blondies Pizza Stonestown in the Tenderloin failed its second reinspection on October 15, 2025, with inspectors discovering a broken cooler, contaminated food contact surfaces, and staff who demonstrated poor food safety knowledge. The Italian restaurant near Powell St BART/Muni received an abatement conference citation for November 19 after inspectors found nine violations, including four major infractions that pose serious health risks to customers. Most alarming was a two-door cooler operating at room temperature, potentially allowing dangerous bacteria to multiply in stored food items.

Serious Food Safety Violations

During this inspection, San Francisco Health Department inspector Cristina Fung-Autry discovered staff using the same paper towel to wipe a food tray, spatula, and pizza slicer, creating a pathway for cross-contamination across multiple food contact surfaces. The sanitizer solution was found in excess of 200 parts per million, indicating improper chemical levels that could harm customers. Staff members demonstrated alarming gaps in food safety knowledge, incorrectly stating sanitizer amounts and being unable to explain proper dish washing procedures. When questioned about pizza slices and Parmesan cheese being held at room temperature under time as a public health control, employees could not confirm how long the food had been sitting out, and their temperature logs were found to be inaccurate. The restaurant lacked basic safety equipment, with no probe thermometer available and no working thermometers in any refrigeration units. This equipment failure makes it impossible for staff to verify that food is being stored at safe temperatures to prevent bacterial growth.

Infrastructure and Maintenance Issues

Inspectors discovered significant maintenance problems throughout the facility. The ventilation hood showed a service sticker from 2024, indicating it had not been properly maintained for potentially over a year. A ventilation baffle was completely missing, compromising the restaurant's ability to remove cooking vapors and maintain air quality. The walk-in cooler floor was deteriorating, while the wall near the dough station showed residue and dough accumulation. Boxes were improperly stored on the food prep sink drain board, blocking access to essential cleaning equipment. A pizza box was being used as a makeshift splash shield, and a non-functioning soft serve machine remained in the facility despite not being in use.

Pattern of Violations

This failed reinspection continues a troubling pattern for Blondies Pizza Stonestown. The restaurant received a conditional pass on September 24, indicating previous issues with temperature control and food safety procedures. Just one week after this latest failure, the restaurant was completely closed by the health department on October 22 following a third reinspection. The escalating enforcement actions reflect the health department's growing concern about the restaurant's inability to maintain basic food safety standards despite repeated opportunities to correct violations.

Health Risks and Consequences

The combination of temperature violations, contaminated equipment, and poor staff knowledge creates multiple pathways for foodborne illness. Broken refrigeration allows dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli to multiply rapidly, while cross-contamination from improperly cleaned utensils can spread pathogens throughout the kitchen. The restaurant's location in the busy Tenderloin district, with heavy foot traffic from nearby public transit, makes these violations particularly concerning for public health officials. The health department's citation for an abatement conference signals serious legal consequences if the restaurant cannot demonstrate comprehensive corrections to all identified violations.