Poke Bar Gets Conditional Pass Despite Temperature Issues

Poke Bar, the Hawaiian restaurant located at 1355 Market Street in SOMA, received a conditional pass on its December 4 health inspection despite several violations requiring correction. The establishment can continue serving customers while addressing the identified issues, which included temperature control problems and facility maintenance concerns. During this inspection, health officials found five violations, with two classified as major infractions that were corrected on-site. The most serious concern involved tofu stored at an unsafe temperature of 48°F in a refrigerator that was running at 50°F - well above the required safe storage temperature. Inspectors required the person in charge to voluntarily condemn and destroy three packages of the improperly stored tofu to prevent potential foodborne illness.

Handwashing and Safety Violations

The inspection also revealed an obstructed handwashing station, a critical food safety violation that prevents proper employee hygiene. Health officials observed cooler lids stored in front of the hand sink and dish brushes placed inside the sink itself, blocking access for staff handwashing. The obstruction was immediately corrected during the inspection by relocating the items to proper storage areas. Additional violations included the absence of a food safety manager certification on-site, lack of a probe thermometer for measuring food temperatures, and a broken faucet at the three-compartment sink that could not be turned off completely. These issues represent ongoing operational challenges that require prompt attention to maintain food safety standards.

Restaurant Operations Continue

Despite these violations, Poke Bar remains open for business near Civic Center BART, serving its Hawaiian cuisine to customers while working to address the identified problems. The conditional pass designation allows the restaurant to operate while implementing necessary corrections, with the understanding that follow-up inspections will verify compliance. This marks the second consecutive conditional inspection result for the establishment. The previous inspection on November 7 also resulted in a conditional pass, citing similar issues including expired food manager certification and blocked handwashing facilities. The pattern suggests ongoing challenges with maintaining consistent compliance standards at this Market Street location.

Correction Requirements

To achieve full compliance, Poke Bar must obtain proper food safety manager certification and ensure it remains accessible on-site at all times. The restaurant also needs to acquire a probe thermometer for accurate temperature monitoring of potentially hazardous foods, a critical tool for preventing temperature abuse that can lead to foodborne illness outbreaks. The facility must also complete repairs to the malfunctioning faucet at the dishwashing station to ensure proper sanitation procedures can be followed. These mechanical issues, while not immediately threatening, represent the type of maintenance concerns that can escalate if left unaddressed. The inspection lasted one hour, from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM, during routine lunch service operations. Health officials noted that some corrections were made immediately during their visit, demonstrating the restaurant's willingness to address problems when identified. Follow-up inspections will determine whether Poke Bar successfully implements all required corrections to achieve a standard passing grade on future health evaluations at this busy SOMA location.