Nick's Lighthouse Gets Conditional Pass on SF Reinspection

Nick's Lighthouse, the longtime seafood establishment at 2815 Taylor Street in North Beach, received a conditional pass during its October 15 reinspection, successfully addressing some previous violations while working to resolve remaining temperature control issues that allow the restaurant to continue serving customers. Inspector John Wells conducted the 30-minute reinspection, finding that the restaurant had corrected several key violations from their previous inspection on October 8. The establishment successfully resolved food handler certification requirements for all employees and fixed their dishwashing machine to provide proper chlorine sanitization at 50 parts per million.

Temperature Control Challenges

The primary concern during this inspection centered on temperature maintenance in multiple refrigeration units throughout the kitchen. Inspectors measured milk at 48°F in the two-door glass-faced True cooler near the dishwash area, which had been stored overnight and was subsequently discarded as a precautionary measure. More concerning were findings in the food preparation cooler, where shrimp measured 51°F, crab salad reached 51°F, and additional shrimp registered 52°F in the bottom compartment. These temperatures exceeded the required 41°F maximum for potentially hazardous foods, creating conditions where harmful bacteria like Listeria and Clostridium perfringens can multiply rapidly. The restaurant's management demonstrated immediate responsiveness by implementing temporary ice cooling measures to bring all affected items back into safe temperature ranges while arranging for refrigeration repair services to arrive later that day. This quick action allowed inspectors to approve continued operation under conditional status.

Equipment Repair Requirements

Ambient temperature readings revealed the scope of the refrigeration challenges facing the popular North Beach establishment. The dishwash area cooler maintained only 49°F, while the food preparation cooler's bottom section reached 52°F, and the two-door upright kitchen cooler measured 49°F ambient temperature. Inspector Wells specifically noted that hamburger patties measured 45°F, various fish products ranged from 45-46°F, and shrimp in the upright cooler reached 49°F. All potentially hazardous foods received immediate ice treatment as temporary temperature correction while permanent repairs were scheduled. The inspection report mandated that all coolers must be repaired or adjusted to maintain proper temperatures at or below 41°F to prevent future violations and ensure customer safety.

Operational Continuity

Despite the temperature control issues, Nick's Lighthouse remains open and operational, serving customers near the Powell-Mason Cable Car line. The conditional pass allows the restaurant to continue normal operations while addressing the refrigeration repairs needed to achieve full compliance. The establishment's certified food manager, Grace Paik, oversees operations under owner Sung Ki Kim's direction, with food handler certification valid through November 2028. Contact information remains available through inspector John Wells at (415) 252-3801 for follow-up coordination. A subsequent inspection has been scheduled for October 22 or later to verify that all refrigeration units have been properly repaired and are maintaining required temperatures. The restaurant's proactive approach to addressing violations demonstrates their commitment to food safety while continuing to serve the North Beach community. The facility's quick response to inspector recommendations and willingness to implement immediate corrective measures reflects the kind of operational flexibility that allows restaurants to maintain service while perfecting their food safety systems.