King of Thai Noodle House Gets Conditional Pass for Pest Issues

King of Thai Noodle House on O'Farrell Street received a conditional pass during a routine health inspection on December 1, 2025, allowing the Tenderloin Thai restaurant to remain open while addressing minor violations requiring correction. The inspection, conducted from 1:45 PM to 3:45 PM, identified six total violations including pest control issues and temperature problems that need attention but do not pose immediate public health risks requiring closure. Health inspectors found evidence of cockroach and rodent activity throughout the facility, along with some equipment maintenance needs and cleanliness concerns.

Inspection Details

During this inspection, health officials discovered one critical violation involving pest control. Inspectors observed live cockroaches in the dish area and garbage room, along with rodent droppings in multiple locations including the front kitchen and basement storage areas. A dead rodent was found on a sticky trap in the basement, indicating ongoing pest management efforts. The restaurant staff demonstrated immediate cooperation with inspectors, voluntarily discarding a container of stew that had been improperly stored at room temperature overnight and measured 66 degrees Fahrenheit. Kitchen staff also prepared fresh sanitizer solution during the inspection when none was available at the cook's line. Additional violations included heavy food debris and grease accumulation on equipment surfaces, temperature issues with refrigeration units, and minor storage problems with utensils and equipment lids placed on floors rather than proper storage areas.

Corrective Actions and Timeline

Four of the six violations were corrected on-site during the inspection, showing the restaurant's commitment to addressing health concerns immediately. The remaining issues, primarily related to pest control and equipment maintenance, require follow-up attention but allow continued operation under the conditional pass status. The restaurant, located at 184 O'Farrell Street near Powell Street BART and Muni stations, serves customers in the heart of the Tenderloin district. The facility's pest control challenges reflect common urban restaurant issues that can be effectively managed with proper professional treatment and maintenance protocols.

Restaurant Operations Continue

Under the conditional pass designation, King of Thai Noodle House can continue serving customers while implementing corrective measures for the identified violations. The restaurant must address pest control issues through professional treatment and improve equipment maintenance and cleaning procedures. This marks the restaurant's first recorded health inspection in the city database, operated by New Kotn, Inc. The establishment will require a follow-up inspection to verify compliance with health department requirements and achieve a standard passing grade. Health department officials noted that while the violations require attention, they do not present immediate risks that would necessitate closure. The restaurant's willingness to make immediate corrections during the inspection demonstrates good faith efforts to maintain food safety standards while serving the Tenderloin community. Customers can continue dining at the establishment with confidence that identified issues are being addressed according to health department protocols and timeline requirements.