Cafe Seventy 8 Gets Conditional Pass Despite Pest Issues

Cafe Seventy 8 in San Francisco's Mission District received a conditional pass on its November 20 health inspection, allowing the cafe to remain open while addressing multiple minor violations that included pest control issues and equipment sanitation concerns. The routine inspection at 78 29th Street revealed several correctable violations that inspectors addressed through on-site education and immediate corrections. While the cafe can continue serving customers, management must resolve outstanding issues to maintain full compliance with health department standards.

Inspection Details

San Francisco health inspectors documented five total violations during this inspection, including one critical violation related to pest control. The most significant finding involved fruit flies observed throughout the dining area, refuse storage area, and dry storage area, with insects landing on stored items. Additionally, inspectors discovered a few rodent droppings on the floor under a desk in the office area. The inspection also revealed orange-colored insect droppings on and under shelving in the dry storage and refuse storage areas. Inspectors noted the presence of fly tape and RAID in the refuse storage area, directing staff to discontinue these unapproved pest control methods and implement proper professional pest management protocols. Equipment sanitation issues comprised another area of concern. Inspectors observed espresso grounds contaminating ice inside the ice machine, requiring the voluntary disposal of all affected ice during the inspection. Staff received immediate education on proper ice handling procedures to prevent future contamination.

Food Safety Corrections

Multiple violations were corrected on-site through inspector guidance and staff education. Inspectors observed an employee washing an ice scoop in the three-compartment sink, rinsing it, placing it on the sink basin, and then using it to scoop ice for a drink without completing the required sanitizing step. After education, the staff member properly rewashed, rinsed, and sanitized the scoop, while the drink containing the improperly handled ice was voluntarily discarded. Additional cleaning issues included debris accumulation on refrigeration gaskets in the prep area and similar buildup in the back of the TurboAir reach-in cooler near the point-of-sale system. These maintenance issues were documented for correction during the follow-up period.

Conditional Pass Requirements

The conditional pass status allows Cafe Seventy 8 to continue operations while addressing the identified violations. The restaurant must implement a comprehensive pest control program using only approved methods and products. This includes eliminating the current fruit fly infestation and preventing future rodent access to the office and storage areas. Staff training on proper sanitization procedures represents another critical requirement. The cafe must ensure all employees understand the complete wash-rinse-sanitize sequence for food contact surfaces, particularly ice handling equipment that directly impacts customer safety. Equipment maintenance issues require immediate attention, including thorough cleaning of refrigeration gaskets and reach-in cooler interiors. Regular cleaning schedules must be established to prevent debris accumulation that can harbor bacteria and create sanitation problems.

Restaurant Operations Continue

Located near the 24th Street Mission BART station, Cafe Seventy 8 remains open for business while implementing the required corrections. The conditional pass indicates that while violations were found, none posed an immediate threat requiring closure. This represents the cafe's first recorded health inspection, establishing a baseline for future compliance monitoring. The San Francisco Department of Public Health will conduct a follow-up inspection to verify that all violations have been properly addressed and that the establishment maintains ongoing compliance with food safety regulations. The Mission District location continues serving customers while management works with pest control professionals and implements enhanced sanitation protocols to achieve full compliance status.