Shuttered SF Restaurant Gets List Of Needed Health Upgrades
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – The owner of San Francisco Chinatown's Sam Wo restaurant has been given a "to-do" list, in order to re-open the storied eatery, which closed Friday for code violations. Long-time customers of the restaurant turned out in force at a public health department hearing Tuesday morning to offer support.
"I am a customer of Sam Wo for more than 60-years, and I can tell you that I never got sick from eating there," said David Dow.
However, the litany of problems found by inspector Nhi Tu detailed threats to public health.
"Well the rodents have been an ongoing issue," said Tu. "They were actually closed for the rodent issues back in March, and it's still ongoing."
Owner David Ho and his daughter Julie were told of steps they will need to take to reopen, including taking care of that rodent problem, buying a commercial grade refrigeration unit, having training for food handlers, and installing a hand washing sink in the kitchen.
KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports:
"Nobody's ever gotten sick," said Julie. "And we've never had any complaints of any food borne illnesses. That's not to say that we don't want to keep the kitchen clean and everything, because we do. After today's support, we know that there are people we can turn to for help, to get everything more clean."
It is unclear when the restaurant might reopen.
The restaurant was famous for the late Edsel Ford Fung, dubbed "the world's rudest waiter." Fung was known for insulting customers and slamming dishes on tables.
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