Mollie Stones Market Gets Conditional Pass for Minor Issues

Mollie Stones Tower Market in West Portal received a conditional pass during a routine health inspection on December 3, 2025, with inspectors identifying several minor violations that require correction but do not threaten public safety. The popular grocery store at 635 Portola Drive can continue normal operations while addressing the issues found during this inspection. The two-hour inspection, conducted between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, revealed five total violations, with most critical issues corrected immediately on-site by management. Inspectors found problems primarily related to cleaning protocols and equipment maintenance rather than serious food safety hazards that would warrant closure.

Inspection Details

The most significant findings involved food contact surface sanitation in the upstairs preparation area. Inspectors discovered no sanitizer buckets were available after more than four hours of food preparation, with soiled knives stored in unclean racks and probe thermometers placed in contaminated storage areas. Store management immediately addressed these violations during the inspection. A food protection violation was also identified when inspectors found an open container of mayonnaise stored directly under an unclean fan cover in a reach-in cooler. The person in charge voluntarily discarded the contaminated product to prevent any potential health risks to customers. Additional violations included mold-like growth on the underside of shelving at the cheese reach-in cooler behind the service counter, indicating the need for more thorough cleaning protocols in refrigerated storage areas. Inspectors also noted the use of cardboard liners on storage racks in the reach-in preparation cooler, which violates food safety standards for non-food contact surfaces.

Equipment and Maintenance Issues

The inspection revealed maintenance concerns in the kitchen area, particularly excessive accumulation of food debris, grease, and other materials on the floor under the deep fryer. Inspectors noted that worn floor finish beneath the deep fryer makes proper cleaning difficult, creating conditions that could harbor bacteria or attract pests if not addressed. These findings represent typical maintenance issues found in busy restaurant operations rather than serious food safety violations that would endanger public health. The conditional pass allows the establishment to remain open while implementing corrective measures.

Continued Operations

Customers can continue shopping at the West Portal location while management works to resolve the identified issues. The conditional inspection result indicates that while violations were found, they do not pose immediate health risks that would require closure or restrict food service operations. This marks the first recorded inspection for this location in the San Francisco Department of Public Health database, making it difficult to assess long-term compliance patterns. The establishment, operated by Albeco Inc and reachable at (415) 289-5720, will likely face a follow-up inspection to ensure all violations have been properly corrected. The inspection demonstrates the ongoing oversight provided by San Francisco health officials to ensure food safety standards at grocery stores and restaurants throughout the city. While minor violations were identified, the ability to correct most issues on-site shows responsive management committed to maintaining proper food safety protocols. Store management's cooperation during the inspection process and immediate correction of critical violations suggests a commitment to resolving the remaining issues quickly to achieve full compliance with health department standards.