Ted's Market Gets Conditional Pass for Minor Violations

Ted's Market on Howard Street in SOMA received a conditional pass during its routine health inspection on December 3, 2025, after inspectors identified several minor violations that require correction but do not pose immediate health risks to customers. The restaurant at 1530 Howard Street near Civic Center BART can continue operating while addressing the correctable issues found during this inspection. San Francisco health inspectors documented seven total violations, with most being corrected immediately on-site through inspector education and guidance.

Inspection Details

The most significant finding involved rodent droppings discovered on the office floor and near the water heater area. This critical violation highlights the need for enhanced pest control measures throughout the facility. Additionally, inspectors noted temperature control issues with the grab-and-go cooler in the retail area, where cut papaya was found at 47°F and cut melon at 51°F, with the unit's ambient temperature measuring approximately 53°F. Equipment maintenance concerns were also identified, particularly with reach-in cooler doors that were falling off their hinges near the prep area trash can. The facility will need to repair these doors to maintain proper refrigeration and food safety standards.

Food Safety Violations Found

Warewashing procedures required immediate attention, as active dishwashing was occurring without proper sanitizer solution setup for utensil immersion. Inspectors also observed improper handwashing practices, noting the absence of soap dispensers at hand wash stations and staff rinsing gloved hands during warewashing operations. Temperature control violations extended to prepared foods in the prep area, where mac and cheese measured 112°F, cooked meat at 98°F, and soup at 108°F in the prep top cooler. These items were cooling in plastic containers without proper intervention methods. Large turkey pieces were found at 106°F in thick plastic trays covered with multiple layers of plastic wrap in the walk-in cooler.

Facility Maintenance Issues

Beyond food safety concerns, inspectors identified several facility maintenance needs. Liquid accumulation under the warewash sink required immediate cleaning, along with dust buildup on the ceiling above the oven. The facility must also install stainless steel wall covering next to the oven to repair deteriorating wall surfaces. Despite these findings, the conditional pass designation allows Ted's Market to remain open for business while implementing the necessary corrections. The SOMA establishment serves the downtown community and office workers in the area, maintaining its role as a neighborhood food source during the correction period.

Restaurant History

This marks the first recorded health inspection for Ted's Market in the city database, making it difficult to establish patterns or track improvement efforts over time. The facility operates under Ted's Deli Inc. ownership and can be contacted at (415) 810-1735 for customer inquiries. The conditional pass status reflects the inspector's assessment that while violations were present, they do not constitute an immediate threat to public health. Restaurant management will need to address all identified issues and demonstrate compliance during a follow-up inspection to achieve a standard passing grade. Most violations were corrected on-site through inspector education, demonstrating the establishment's willingness to maintain proper food safety standards and work collaboratively with health officials to ensure customer safety. *Staff Reporter at SF Restaurant Inspections*