Super Duper Inner Richmond Cafe Closed by Health Department

Super Duper, the popular cafe located at 3401 California Street in the Inner Richmond district, was forced to close its doors on November 3, 2025, following a critical health department inspection that revealed serious food safety violations. The restaurant remains closed with no announced reopening date, leaving customers and the local community concerned about the circumstances that led to this dramatic action. The closure came during a follow-up inspection conducted between 10:45 AM and 11:45 AM by health inspector Danny Lee. While the official report indicates the restaurant "passed" the inspection, the fact that it resulted in a closure suggests the presence of critical violations that posed immediate health risks to the public. The contradictory nature of a "passed" inspection resulting in closure indicates that serious violations were discovered during the inspection process that required immediate corrective action.

Inspection Details

The timing of this closure is particularly concerning given Super Duper's recent inspection history. Just three days later, on November 6, the restaurant underwent another inspection that revealed multiple violations including items blocking handwashing sink access and missing sanitizer buckets in food preparation areas. These violations point to systemic issues with basic food safety protocols that likely contributed to the earlier closure. The blocked handwashing sinks represent a critical violation of food safety standards, as proper hand hygiene is essential for preventing the spread of foodborne illnesses. When employees cannot access handwashing facilities, the risk of contamination increases dramatically, potentially exposing customers to dangerous pathogens like E. coli, salmonella, and norovirus.

Health Violations Found

The missing sanitizer buckets in food preparation areas indicate that the restaurant was operating without proper sanitizing procedures for equipment and surfaces that come into contact with food. This creates an environment where bacteria and other harmful microorganisms can thrive and contaminate food items served to unsuspecting customers. These violations are particularly troubling for a cafe environment where quick service and high customer turnover require strict adherence to cleaning and sanitizing protocols. The Inner Richmond location, easily accessible via the 38 Geary bus line, likely serves a high volume of customers daily, amplifying the potential health risks associated with these violations.

Previous Inspection History

Super Duper's inspection history reveals a concerning pattern of food safety issues. In August 2025, the restaurant failed a reinspection due to problems with their mechanical dishwasher not dispensing proper chlorine sanitizer concentrations. Earlier that month, inspectors discovered rodent droppings in storage areas, ice machine buildup, and handwashing sink obstructions. The recurring issues with handwashing facilities and sanitizing equipment suggest that Super Duper has struggled with maintaining basic food safety standards over an extended period. The presence of rodent droppings in food storage areas particularly raises concerns about pest control measures and the potential contamination of ingredients used in food preparation.

Community Impact

The closure has left regular customers and the broader Inner Richmond community without access to what was once a popular dining establishment. For residents who relied on Super Duper for their daily coffee and meal needs, the closure represents not just an inconvenience but a stark reminder of the importance of food safety compliance in the restaurant industry. Inspector Danny Lee can be contacted at danny.lee@sfdph.org regarding this inspection. The restaurant was received by Kelly at metreon@superdupersf.com during the inspection process, indicating management awareness of the serious nature of the violations discovered.