Suzu SF Japanese Restaurant Gets Conditional Health Pass

Suzu SF, a Japanese restaurant located at 1581 Webster Street in Pacific Heights, received a conditional pass during its November 17, 2025 health inspection, allowing the establishment to continue serving customers while addressing several correctable violations discovered by San Francisco health inspectors. The routine inspection, conducted from 10:15 AM to 12:45 PM, revealed five total violations requiring attention, including one critical violation related to pest control that was immediately corrected on site. Despite these findings, the restaurant was permitted to remain open for business while implementing necessary improvements to achieve full compliance.

Inspection Details

Health inspectors discovered evidence of pest activity during this inspection, including live cockroaches on walls and in traps, as well as old rodent droppings found on surfaces near the water heater, mechanical dishwasher, and two-door refrigerator. The facility immediately ceased all food preparation operations to allow for comprehensive cleaning and sanitization of the affected areas. "The restaurant voluntarily stopped operations to address the pest control issues," according to the inspection report. All gaps were sealed with approved caulking materials during the inspection, and the facility's pest control service had been performed just two days prior on November 15, 2025. By the end of the inspection, all signs of vermin had been eliminated and cleaning protocols completed. Equipment maintenance issues also required attention, including a malfunctioning reach-in cooler that was maintaining temperatures at 45 degrees Fahrenheit rather than the required safe temperature range. The restaurant took the unit out of service immediately and relocated temperature-sensitive items to properly functioning refrigeration equipment.

Food Safety Corrections

Inspectors observed improper cooling methods being used for potentially hazardous foods, with curry items cooling at room temperature instead of using rapid cooling techniques. The restaurant corrected this violation on site by implementing proper ice bath cooling methods to bring food temperatures down safely within required timeframes. Additionally, the absence of a visible food manager certificate was noted, though this administrative violation can be easily remedied by posting the required documentation in a visible location.

Restaurant Response and Compliance

The Japanese restaurant demonstrated immediate cooperation with health officials, voluntarily discarding potentially compromised food items and implementing corrective measures during the inspection process. Items including tofu, curry, and raw chicken that had been stored in the malfunctioning cooler were discarded as a precautionary measure. Located near Fillmore bus lines, Suzu SF serves the Pacific Heights community and has been working to maintain health code compliance. The establishment underwent a reinspection on November 26, 2025, which resulted in a passing grade and official reopening status after addressing all identified violations.

Moving Forward

The conditional pass allows Suzu SF to continue operations while finalizing equipment repairs and maintaining the enhanced pest control measures implemented during the inspection. The restaurant's quick response to addressing violations demonstrates its commitment to food safety standards expected in San Francisco's dining establishments. Customers can continue dining at the establishment with confidence that identified issues have been addressed through immediate corrective actions and ongoing compliance monitoring by city health officials.