Burger Littles Gets Conditional Pass for Minor Violations

Burger Littles in San Francisco's Financial District received a conditional pass during its November 14 health reinspection, successfully correcting several major violations while minor issues still require attention. The American restaurant at 4 Embarcadero Center can continue serving customers as it addresses the remaining compliance concerns. During this inspection conducted from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM, health inspector John Wells found significant improvements from the restaurant's previous inspection challenges. The facility successfully resolved wastewater leak issues at the three-compartment sink, corrected improper food storage on floors, and fixed ventilation hood filter gaps that were previously cited.

Outstanding Violations Require Correction

Two violations remain outstanding and must be addressed before the next routine inspection. The primary concern involves inadequate handwashing facilities at the prep station. Inspectors observed a lack of soap at the handwash station located on the west wall adjacent to the prep cooler, a critical violation that directly impacts food safety protocols. "Provide soap and towels to all handwash stations at all times," the inspector noted in the official report. This violation falls under California Retail Food Code Section 113953, which mandates proper handwashing facilities to prevent foodborne illness transmission. Studies indicate that only 31% of food service workers wash hands properly when adequate supplies are unavailable, significantly increasing norovirus transmission risks. The second violation involves missing licensing documentation. The current restaurant H-25 License Certificate could not be located during the inspection. Restaurant management must obtain a current license certificate from the SF Tax Collector and post it in a conspicuous location as required by city regulations.

Inspection History Shows Progress

The conditional pass represents notable improvement from the October 16 routine inspection, which identified multiple serious violations including the same handwashing deficiency, wastewater leaks, improper floor storage, and ventilation issues. The restaurant's ability to address most of these concerns demonstrates commitment to food safety compliance. Located near the Embarcadero BART station, Burger Littles serves the busy Financial District lunch crowd. The facility operates under permit holder Burger Littles LLC and can be reached at (408) 393-6937. The restaurant's street-level location in Suite R4104 makes it easily accessible to office workers and tourists visiting the Embarcadero Center complex.

Next Steps for Full Compliance

Restaurant management must now focus on the two remaining violations to achieve full compliance. Installing proper soap dispensers and paper towel holders at all handwashing stations represents a straightforward fix that directly impacts employee hygiene practices. Obtaining and properly displaying the required restaurant license certificate ensures regulatory compliance with San Francisco business operating requirements. The inspector indicated these violations will be checked during the next routine inspection, giving the restaurant time to implement permanent solutions. The conditional pass status allows normal operations to continue while management addresses these minor but important compliance issues. For customers, the conditional pass indicates the restaurant operates safely while working toward complete regulatory compliance. The resolution of major infrastructure issues like wastewater leaks and ventilation problems demonstrates the facility's commitment to maintaining proper food safety standards in San Francisco's competitive restaurant environment.