Fifth St Cafe Passes Health Reinspection with Excellence

Fifth St Cafe Corporation has successfully passed its health reinspection with exceptional marks, demonstrating the establishment's commitment to food safety excellence and customer protection. The SoMa district cafe location at 155 Fifth Street showcased outstanding compliance with all health department standards during this inspection conducted on December 1, 2025. Inspector Katherine Tuazon reported that all violations from the previous inspection had been completely abated, highlighting the restaurant's proactive approach to maintaining the highest food safety standards. The inspection revealed exemplary hot holding practices with temperatures maintained consistently above 135 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring that all prepared foods remain safe for consumption throughout service hours.

Food Safety Achievements

The cafe's management demonstrated exceptional organizational skills by maintaining current and accurate temperature logs for both food reheating processes and receiving procedures. This level of documentation exceeds basic compliance requirements and shows a genuine commitment to food safety protocols that protect customers from foodborne illnesses. The establishment's hot holding equipment performed flawlessly during the inspection, maintaining proper temperatures that prevent bacterial growth while preserving food quality. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given the challenges many restaurants face in maintaining consistent temperature control during busy service periods. Temperature monitoring systems at Fifth St Cafe Corporation showed meticulous attention to detail, with comprehensive logs demonstrating that staff members regularly check and record food temperatures as required by health department regulations. These practices ensure that every item served to customers meets the strictest safety standards.

Professional Management Excellence

The successful reinspection reflects the professionalism of the management team, who clearly took immediate action to address any concerns from the previous evaluation. Drew Malimban, the staff member who received the inspection, demonstrated the restaurant's accountability and transparency in working with health department officials. Located conveniently near the Civic Center BART station, this cafe serves as an important dining option for commuters and local workers who can now dine with complete confidence in the establishment's food safety practices. The SoMa district benefits from having restaurants that maintain such high standards, contributing to the area's reputation as a safe and reliable dining destination.

Restaurant History and Commitment

The cafe's improvement journey demonstrates the effectiveness of San Francisco's inspection system in promoting food safety excellence. Following a previous inspection on November 13, 2025 that resulted in a conditional pass, the establishment's management invested significant effort in addressing all identified areas for improvement. This transformation from conditional status to full compliance showcases the restaurant's dedication to customer safety and regulatory excellence. The rapid turnaround time between inspections demonstrates both the urgency with which management addressed concerns and their ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards. Inspector Tuazon's thorough evaluation confirmed that Fifth St Cafe Corporation now operates with exemplary food safety protocols, giving customers complete confidence in their dining experience. The establishment's success serves as a model for other food service operations in the SoMa district and throughout San Francisco. *Staff Reporter at SF Restaurant Inspections*