Pho De Nguyen 2 SOMA Restaurant Closed for Food Safety Fails

Pho De Nguyen 2 in San Francisco's SOMA district has been forced to close after health inspectors discovered a series of alarming food safety violations that put customers at serious risk of foodborne illness. The Vietnamese restaurant at 501 6th Street, near Civic Center BART, failed this inspection on October 28, 2025, and remains closed with no reopening date scheduled.

Dangerous Temperature Violations

The most serious violation discovered during the follow-up inspection involved a five-gallon container of broth found at a dangerous 68 degrees Fahrenheit inside the walk-in freezer. According to the inspection report, the soup had been cooked just one hour earlier, creating a perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Food safety experts warn that keeping potentially hazardous foods in the "danger zone" between 41-140 degrees Fahrenheit allows pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli to multiply rapidly, potentially causing severe illness in customers. Inspector Katherine Tuazon discovered multiple temperature violations and cross-contamination issues throughout the kitchen during the afternoon inspection. The facility had been operating for four hours without proper sanitation solutions, leaving food contact surfaces vulnerable to bacterial contamination.

Shocking Sanitation Failures

Perhaps most disturbing was the discovery of knives stored directly between electrical conduits in the prep area, a practice that exposes cutting implements to dust, debris, and potential electrical hazards. This critical violation demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of basic food safety protocols. Inspectors also found raw ox tail thawing at room temperature on boards beside the prep sink, creating ideal conditions for bacterial growth. The dangerous thawing method violates California health codes designed to prevent foodborne illness outbreaks.

Cross-Contamination Risks

The inspection revealed serious cross-contamination risks throughout the kitchen. Raw meat stored in trays with bloody juices was positioned directly above a basket of fresh ginger, allowing potentially harmful bacteria from the meat to drip onto ingredients used in multiple dishes. Food storage violations compounded the contamination risks, with bulk dry ingredient containers lacking proper labels and wiping cloths left on food contact surfaces. The inspection also documented food juice accumulation underneath the three-compartment sink near the grease trap, indicating poor cleaning practices.

First-Time Offender

Pho De Nguyen 2 appears to be a relatively new establishment with no previous inspection history on file with the San Francisco Department of Public Health. The restaurant is operated by Taoyin Asian Inc. and can be reached at (415) 646-5268. The October 28 inspection was classified as a follow-up, suggesting the restaurant may have had prior violations that required re-examination. The failure of this follow-up inspection resulted in immediate closure, demonstrating the severity of the violations found.

Health Department Response

The San Francisco Department of Public Health has not announced when the Vietnamese restaurant might be eligible to reopen. The facility must address all critical and minor violations before scheduling a reinspection. Given the scope of the violations - from dangerous food temperatures to improper sanitation - the restaurant faces significant corrections before it can safely serve customers again. The closure serves as a reminder to SOMA diners about the importance of food safety regulations in protecting public health. Customers who recently dined at the restaurant and experienced illness symptoms should contact their healthcare provider and report their concerns to the health department.