SF Mission Bay Poke Life Gets Conditional Pass Hot Water Fix

Poke Life in San Francisco's Mission Bay district received a conditional pass during this inspection on November 20, 2025, after health officials discovered hot water temperatures below required safety standards. The poke restaurant was able to correct the violation immediately during the inspection and remains open for business. Inspector Roy Bwogi conducted the routine inspection at the restaurant located at 1700 Owens Street, finding that hot water temperatures measured only 98°F when California health code requires a minimum of 120°F for proper sanitation. The temperature violation was classified as a major issue due to its impact on food safety, as inadequate hot water prevents proper dishware sanitization and handwashing procedures.

Immediate Correction During Inspection

Restaurant staff worked quickly to address the hot water temperature issue during the inspection, with the violation marked as "corrected on site" by the health inspector. This immediate response allowed Poke Life to continue serving customers without any service interruption. The facility's ability to promptly resolve the issue demonstrated their commitment to maintaining proper food safety standards. The hot water temperature violation carries significant health implications, as temperatures below 120°F cannot effectively eliminate viruses and bacteria that cause foodborne illness. Proper hot water temperature is essential for sanitizing dishes, utensils, and food preparation surfaces, making this a critical component of restaurant food safety protocols.

Mission Bay Restaurant Maintains Operations

Despite the conditional pass status, Poke Life continues normal operations in the bustling Mission Bay neighborhood. The restaurant serves fresh poke bowls and Hawaiian-style cuisine to local residents, office workers, and visitors exploring the waterfront district near the T-Third Muni line. The inspection also revealed issues with vegetable storage, where produce was left out without proper time and public health control (TPHC) labels. This violation relates to food temperature monitoring requirements that help prevent bacterial growth in perishable items. While not corrected during the inspection, this represents a minor procedural issue that can be easily addressed through staff training and improved labeling practices.

Restaurant's Inspection History

This marks the first recorded health inspection for Poke Life since the establishment began operations. The restaurant, owned by Poke Life Inc., has been serving the Mission Bay community with fresh poke bowls and Hawaiian-inspired dishes. Health inspectors noted that both violations found during this inspection were relatively minor issues that could be corrected through operational adjustments rather than requiring major infrastructure changes. The conditional pass allows the restaurant to continue serving customers while implementing necessary corrections. Inspector Roy Bwogi can be reached at (415) 252-3803 for any questions regarding the inspection findings. Restaurant management, represented by Tammy Nguyen who received the inspection report, has been cooperative throughout the process and committed to addressing all identified issues promptly. The San Francisco Department of Public Health will likely conduct a follow-up inspection to ensure all violations have been properly addressed and that hot water temperatures consistently meet required standards.