SF Pizza Restaurant Closed for Missing Manager Certification

Mr. Pizza Man, a pizza restaurant in San Francisco's Mission District, was forced to close its doors on November 5, 2025, after health inspectors discovered the establishment operating without required food safety manager certification and food handler cards during a reinspection. The restaurant at 2680 22nd Street, located near the bustling 24th St Mission BART station, failed to provide any valid documentation proving management had completed mandatory food safety training when inspectors arrived for this inspection between 10:15 AM and 11:15 AM.

Critical Certification Violations

Health inspector Cristina Zepeda cited the restaurant for a major violation under California Retail Food Code Section 113947.1, which requires all food service establishments to have certified food safety managers on staff. The violation noted that "no valid Food Safety Manager certificate or food handler cards were provided" when requested during the inspection. This certification requirement exists because certified food safety managers reduce critical violations by 60 percent, according to health department data. These trained professionals understand crucial food safety protocols including temperature control, contamination prevention, and proper hygiene practices that prevent foodborne illness outbreaks. Without proper certification, restaurant staff may unknowingly engage in dangerous food handling practices that put customers at risk of salmonella, E. coli, norovirus, and other serious foodborne illnesses. The absence of certified management creates a significant public health concern, as untrained staff may not recognize when food has reached unsafe temperatures, cross-contamination has occurred, or proper sanitation protocols have been violated.

Inspection History Reveals Ongoing Issues

This closure follows a troubling pattern for the Mission District establishment. Mr. Pizza Man previously failed a routine health inspection on October 15, 2025, conducted by the same inspector. The restaurant was given an opportunity to correct violations during the November 5 reinspection, but failed to meet basic certification requirements. The repeated failures raise serious questions about the restaurant's commitment to food safety standards and proper management oversight. For an establishment that has been serving the community near one of the city's busiest transit hubs, the inability to maintain basic certification requirements represents a fundamental breakdown in operational standards.

Community Impact and Health Risks

The closure affects residents and workers in the vibrant Mission District, particularly those who rely on quick dining options near the 24th St Mission BART station. The restaurant's location on 22nd Street serves a diverse community of families, commuters, and local workers who trusted the establishment to maintain basic food safety standards. Customers who visited the restaurant during the period when it operated without proper certification unknowingly exposed themselves to potential foodborne illness risks. While no specific contamination incidents have been reported, the absence of certified food safety oversight creates conditions where dangerous food handling practices can go undetected. The restaurant remains closed with no announced reopening date. Before resuming operations, management must obtain required food safety manager certification and food handler cards for all staff members. The establishment will need to pass a follow-up inspection demonstrating compliance with all health code requirements before being permitted to serve customers again. Inspector Cristina Zepeda can be reached at cristina.zepeda@sfdph.org for additional information about this case.