Pakwan Restaurant Gets Conditional Pass on SF Reinspection

Pakwan Restaurant on Ocean Avenue received a conditional pass during a recent San Francisco Department of Public Health reinspection, allowing the popular Pakistani establishment to continue serving customers while addressing remaining minor ventilation issues. The Excelsior district restaurant, located at 1140 Ocean Avenue near Balboa Park BART, demonstrated significant progress during this inspection on October 23, successfully correcting plumbing problems identified during previous visits while working with contractors to resolve outstanding ventilation concerns.

Progress on Previous Violations

Inspector John Wells noted substantial improvements during the 15-minute reinspection, particularly regarding the three-compartment sink that had previously caused compliance issues. "The leak at the middle compartment drain line from the three-compartment sink is repaired," Wells documented, highlighting the restaurant's commitment to addressing health department concerns promptly. This repair represents a significant step forward for the establishment, which has been working diligently to achieve full compliance following a series of inspections throughout October. The successful plumbing repair demonstrates the restaurant's proactive approach to maintaining proper sanitation infrastructure essential for safe food preparation.

Outstanding Ventilation Issues

Despite the plumbing success, one minor violation remains: inadequate ventilation and lighting in designated areas. Wells observed "two 2-inch gaps between filters in the right side ventilation hood" and instructed the establishment to "eliminate the gaps between hood filters." The restaurant operator, Hamza, informed the inspector that they have already engaged a contractor to address this ventilation issue, showing continued commitment to resolving all outstanding concerns. This type of minor maintenance issue is common in busy commercial kitchens and poses no immediate health risk to customers when properly managed.

Recent Inspection History

The conditional pass represents meaningful progress for Pakwan Restaurant, which experienced a challenging period in October. The establishment previously failed a reinspection on October 22 and faced temporary closure following an October 10 follow-up inspection. However, the restaurant successfully reopened after addressing imminent health concerns and has since demonstrated steady improvement. This pattern shows the restaurant's dedication to meeting health standards while maintaining service to the Pakistani food community in the Excelsior neighborhood. The establishment's location on Ocean Avenue makes it easily accessible to customers using public transportation and serves as an important dining option for local residents.

Continued Operations

The conditional pass status allows Pakwan Restaurant to continue normal operations while completing the final ventilation repairs. This designation indicates that while minor improvements are needed, the establishment poses no immediate health risk to customers and maintains acceptable food safety standards. Restaurant patrons can continue enjoying their favorite dishes while the establishment works with contractors to eliminate the hood filter gaps. The minor nature of the remaining violation suggests that full compliance should be achievable quickly, particularly given the restaurant's demonstrated ability to address more complex plumbing issues. The next reinspection will determine whether Pakwan Restaurant achieves full compliance, but the recent progress indicates positive momentum toward complete resolution of all health department concerns while maintaining quality service for the diverse Excelsior dining community. Staff Reporter at SF Restaurant Inspections