Mission Shell Gets Conditional Pass Despite Minor Violations

Mission Shell, the convenience store located at 3550 Mission Street in San Francisco's vibrant Mission district, received a conditional pass during a health department reinspection on November 12, 2025. The facility can continue operating while addressing minor violations that require correction within the next seven days. During this inspection, health officials identified three violations, with one corrected immediately on-site. The primary concerns centered around handwashing facility maintenance and ventilation system cleanliness - issues that, while requiring attention, do not pose immediate safety risks to customers.

Inspection Details

The most significant violation involved the handwashing sink at the front service station, which was initially lacking single-use paper towels when inspectors arrived. Store staff immediately provided paper towels, allowing this violation to be marked as corrected on-site. However, inspectors also discovered a leak at the same handwash sink that requires professional repair within seven days, with management instructed to provide a work order as proof of corrective action. Additional maintenance issues were found in the store's ventilation system above the convenience store cooking equipment. Inspectors noted an accumulation of debris on the vents and yellowing of tiles above the ventless cooking equipment, requiring deep cleaning to maintain proper sanitation standards. The third violation involved equipment approval compliance. According to the approved remodel plans (BPA 202112204765 and revisions) submitted to the city, only one ventless cooking equipment unit was authorized for this location. However, inspectors observed two Resfab brand ventless cooking units operating during the inspection.

Previous Inspection History

This reinspection followed a more serious previous inspection on November 3, 2025, when the facility was temporarily closed by health officials. The November 3 follow-up inspection resulted in a failure rating with three violations that required immediate corrective action before the store could reopen. The progression from closure to conditional pass within nine days demonstrates Mission Shell's commitment to addressing health department concerns. While the facility initially faced more serious compliance issues, the current violations represent minor maintenance and administrative matters rather than food safety emergencies.

Continued Operations

Unlike closures that force immediate cessation of food service, a conditional pass allows Mission Shell to continue serving customers in the Mission neighborhood while making necessary corrections. The store remains accessible to residents near the 24th Street Mission BART station who rely on its convenient location for daily necessities. The handwashing facility repairs and ventilation cleaning requirements represent standard maintenance issues commonly addressed during routine inspections. These violations, while requiring prompt attention, do not indicate contaminated food products or unsafe preparation practices that would necessitate immediate closure. Store management now has seven days to complete the required sink repairs and provide documentation to health officials. The ventilation system cleaning and equipment compliance review will also need resolution within this timeframe. A follow-up inspection will likely occur to verify all violations have been properly addressed before the facility receives full approval. The conditional pass rating allows Mission Shell to maintain its role serving the diverse Mission district community while ensuring all health department standards are met through the required corrections.