Empero Taste Gets Conditional Pass for Minor Violations

Empero Taste, a restaurant located at 4052 Balboa Street in the Outer Richmond district, received a conditional pass during its November 25, 2025 health inspection despite several minor violations that require attention. The restaurant can continue serving customers while addressing the correctable issues identified by health inspectors. During this inspection, which lasted from 12:00 PM to 1:35 PM, inspectors found seven violations total, with four immediately corrected on-site. The conditional pass designation allows the establishment to remain open while working to resolve the remaining maintenance and food storage issues.

Immediate Corrections Made

Several violations were addressed during the inspection itself, demonstrating the restaurant's commitment to compliance. Inspectors observed an employee attempting to wash hands while wearing gloves at the handwashing station, but staff quickly corrected the proper handwashing procedure after receiving instruction. The facility also lacked sanitizer buckets at food preparation stations, but management immediately provided four buckets with adequate sanitizer solution. Food storage violations were also corrected on-site when inspectors found bins of raw protein stored above lettuce in the walk-in refrigerator. Staff relocated the lettuce to prevent cross-contamination, though metal bins of uncovered raw protein remained an ongoing concern requiring proper covering to maintain food safety standards.

Outstanding Maintenance Issues

The primary concerns requiring follow-up attention involve facility maintenance and cleaning standards. Inspectors documented grease buildup at the cook-line and service compartments of the fryers, indicating a need for enhanced cleaning protocols in high-use areas. The continued use of flattened cardboard at the cook-line and hallway also needs addressing, despite having cactus mats available at certain food preparation stations. Structural issues throughout the facility present the most significant challenges requiring correction. Inspectors noted multiple problems including exposed walls at the ware-washing station, food debris on floors, and black growth on the wall behind the dishwasher. Water pooling throughout the tile floor creates potential slip hazards and sanitation concerns. Additional structural defects include grease buildup on corner walls and ceiling areas, exposed tiles in ground floor storage, residue on food-grade panels, and paint peeling in the ceiling and walls of the aquarium room. Holes in walls within the aquarium room also require repair to maintain proper facility standards.

Neighborhood Context and Operations

Located near the 38 Geary bus line, Empero Taste serves the diverse Outer Richmond community and can continue normal operations while addressing these minor violations. The restaurant, operated by Pineapple LLC, maintains phone contact at (415) 876-3298 for customers seeking information about current services. This marks the first recorded health inspection for the establishment, making it a new addition to the neighborhood's dining scene. The conditional pass status indicates that while improvements are needed, the violations do not pose immediate public health risks requiring closure.

Next Steps and Timeline

The restaurant must address the outstanding violations to achieve full compliance during the next inspection cycle. The facility maintenance issues, particularly the structural defects and cleaning standards, will require systematic attention to meet health department requirements. Food storage protocols must also be refined to ensure consistent separation and covering of raw proteins. The conditional pass designation allows Empero Taste to continue serving customers while implementing these improvements, reflecting the minor nature of the violations found during the routine inspection.