Wing Lee BBQ Restaurant Reopens After Fixing Violations

Wing Lee BBQ Restaurant has successfully reopened its doors at 501 Clement Street in Inner Richmond after addressing serious health violations that had previously resulted in operational restrictions. The Chinese restaurant passed its reinspection on November 13, 2025, demonstrating significant improvements in food safety protocols.

Successful Resolution of Previous Issues

During this inspection, health officials confirmed that Wing Lee BBQ Restaurant had successfully implemented proper time and temperature control for safety protocols with appropriate discard time labels. The restaurant had previously faced violations related to unsafe food handling practices that posed potential risks to customer health. Inspector Lucas Willis conducted the reinspection and found that the restaurant had eliminated the concerning practice of drying pork skin at room temperature, which had been identified as a significant food safety violation during the previous inspection on October 20, 2025. This practice had raised serious concerns about potential bacterial growth and foodborne illness risks, as improperly handled meat products can harbor dangerous pathogens including salmonella and E. coli.

Health Safety Improvements Verified

The most significant improvement noted during the reinspection was the complete absence of vermin activity, addressing what had been a critical concern for public health officials. The restaurant demonstrated that it had implemented effective pest control measures and improved sanitation practices throughout the facility. Time and temperature controls, which are fundamental to preventing foodborne illness, are now properly maintained with visible discard time labels ensuring that potentially hazardous foods are not kept beyond safe timeframes. These protocols are essential in preventing the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in restaurant patrons.

Restaurant Operations Resume

Located near the 38 Geary bus line, Wing Lee BBQ Restaurant serves the diverse Inner Richmond community with traditional Chinese barbecue cuisine. The restaurant is operated by 501 Clement LLC and can be reached at (415) 831-7883 for customers seeking to verify current operating status. The successful reinspection represents a significant turnaround for the establishment, which had received a conditional pass during its previous evaluation. Restaurant management worked diligently with health inspectors to address all identified violations and implement proper food safety protocols.

Inspection History and Context

The restaurant's inspection history shows that the facility had struggled with food safety compliance, particularly around proper temperature control and pest management. However, the successful passing of this reinspection demonstrates the restaurant's commitment to maintaining proper health standards for its customers. Food safety experts emphasize that proper time and temperature controls are among the most critical factors in preventing foodborne illness outbreaks. When restaurants fail to maintain proper temperatures for potentially hazardous foods or allow unsafe practices like room temperature drying of meat products, they create environments where dangerous bacteria can multiply rapidly. The reopening of Wing Lee BBQ Restaurant provides Inner Richmond residents with renewed access to Chinese barbecue cuisine while ensuring that proper health and safety standards are maintained. Customers can now dine with confidence knowing that the restaurant has addressed previous violations and demonstrated compliance with San Francisco Department of Public Health requirements. Inspector Willis confirmed that the facility met all necessary standards during the November 13 reinspection, allowing for full operational status to resume.