Mangrove Kitchen Thai Gets Conditional Pass After Cooling Issues

Mangrove Kitchen, the Thai restaurant located at 312 Divisadero Street in Haight-Ashbury, received a conditional health inspection pass on December 4, 2025, following the discovery of temperature control violations that required immediate attention. The restaurant remains open to diners while addressing correctable food safety issues identified during the reinspection. Health inspectors conducting this inspection between 10:45 AM and 11:45 AM discovered approximately five gallons of improperly cooled coconut soup at 48°F that was voluntarily discarded by restaurant management. The soup had been prepared the previous day or earlier, though the person in charge was uncertain about the exact preparation timeline, highlighting the importance of proper food tracking protocols.

Temperature Control Violations Corrected

The most significant violation involved improper cooling methods, which health officials identify as the leading cause of restaurant foodborne illness. Clostridium perfringens spores can germinate and multiply rapidly when foods are not properly cooled, creating serious health risks for diners. The restaurant's immediate cooperation in discarding the affected soup demonstrated their commitment to patron safety. Additional food storage violations were identified when inspectors observed raw beef and chicken stored together on the same shelf in the restaurant's single-door freezer. This cross-contamination risk was corrected on-site, with staff receiving guidance on proper storage protocols according to minimum internal cooking temperatures.

Equipment Maintenance Issues Addressed

Equipment violations focused on maintenance needs rather than critical safety failures. Inspectors noted that gaskets in most refrigerators showed heavy damage and required repair to maintain proper temperature control. The restaurant was instructed to eliminate cardboard shelf liners, which can harbor bacteria and compromise sanitation standards. The inspection also revealed that wooden-handled cooking equipment was being stored inappropriately, as wood handles are porous and should not remain in contact with food surfaces. Staff were reminded to remove this equipment when not in active use to prevent contamination. A notable equipment gap was the absence of probe thermometers, essential tools for monitoring proper cooling, hot holding, and cooking temperatures. The restaurant was instructed to provide these instruments and train staff on their proper use to prevent future temperature-related violations.

Neighborhood Dining Continues

Despite these correctable violations, Mangrove Kitchen continues serving the Haight-Ashbury community, convenient to residents near the N-Judah line and Cole Valley area. The conditional pass status allows the restaurant to operate while implementing the required corrections, ensuring minimal disruption to regular customers seeking authentic Thai cuisine. This marks the restaurant's first documented health inspection in the city database, making it impossible to establish historical compliance patterns. The conditional pass indicates that while violations were present, they were deemed correctable without requiring immediate closure or posing imminent health threats to diners.

Looking Forward

The San Francisco Department of Public Health will likely conduct a follow-up inspection to verify that all identified violations have been properly addressed. Restaurant management's cooperative approach during the initial inspection, including the voluntary disposal of questionable food items, suggests a commitment to meeting health code standards. For diners frequenting this Divisadero establishment, the conditional pass represents the restaurant's ongoing efforts to maintain food safety while serving the community. The correctable nature of the violations found indicates that with proper attention to temperature control and equipment maintenance, the restaurant can achieve full compliance in future inspections.