Poke Falls
Last inspected: Mar 18, 2026
50
Score
Poke Falls has been inspected seven times since 2023. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 18, 2026. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 11 violations to closer to nine violations per visit.
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
Compared to other South Pasadena restaurants (averaging 64), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
7
Inspections
2
Critical latest
3
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 18, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. In walk in cooler- Raw diced sushi tuna fully thawed in vacuum packaging bearing label specifying to remove from packaging before thawing. Stop sale issued and operator discarded.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw salmon stored over unwashed mangoes in walk in cooler. Operator moved salmon to store beside, but separated from, unwashed produce. Discussed proper cooler storage with operator and special circumstance for sushi fish as it is a raw animal food and a ready to eat food.
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -cutting boards on front prep line are stained **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. -dishes, sponges, and cleaning supplies stored in all 3 hand wash sinks throughout establishment. Operator removed all. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. -paper towels at hand wash sink in kitchen could not dispense. Operator fixed so that it can dispense paper towels **Corrected On-Site**
31B-05-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. -In walk in cooler- Raw diced sushi tuna fully thawed in vacuum packaging bearing label specifying to remove from packaging before thawing. Stop sale issued and operator discarded. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-09-1
Basic - Light shields in kitchen damaged/in disrepair, partially disconnected and hanging down **Repeat Violation**
38-01-4
50
Oct 23, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 6 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Rice stored directly in trash can in kitchen.
14-15-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Fish eggs (49F - Cold Holding, retemped at 40F); cream cheese (47F - Cold Holding, retemped at 43F); cooked egg (47F - Cold Holding, retemped at 40F); krab stick (47F - Cold Holding, retemped at 41F) Operator placed all items in walk in cooler, all retemped 43F or below. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -Cutting board at front counter on deli cooler has staining. -cutting board behind front counter in prep area is heavily grooved and stained and no longer cleanable. -cutting board on prep table at kitchen entrance grooved and stained
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. -Hand wash sink by three compartment sink blocked by boxes on floor and brooms. Operator moved items. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. -sponge stored in hand wash sink in kitchen by office -hand wash sink behind soda cooler at front counter was full of items being stored in it. Operator removed items from the hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink by three compartment sink. Operator put soap out. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Manager's mom comes in periodically and helps with food preparation tasks, no proof of food handler training.
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Operator put paper towels out. ** **Corrected On-Site**
31B-06-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/pink mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
22-20-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. -cutting board behind front counter in prep area is heavily grooved and stained and no longer cleanable. --cutting board on prep table at kitchen entrance grooved and stained
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. - employee foods stored in reach in prep cooler in kitchen, both in the top compartment and bottom compartment. -employee foods stored throughout walk in cooler -employee foods stored with dry storage restaurant items -employee foods stored throughout reach in freezer Discussed with operator consolidating employee items to bottom shelves and clearly labeling employee areas
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor in walk in cooler and kitchen. -boxes of produce in walk in cooler -containers of pickled onions, soy sauce, boxes of dry onions in kitchen **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling. -hood system has accumulation of grease
36-68-5
Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. Light shields in kitchen over prep table and dry storage areas are partially disconnected and hanging off.
38-01-4
Basic - No suitable facilities provided to store employee clothing and other possessions. Employee items such as food and personal belongings can be found throughout the kitchen and warewash area.
40-01-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -accumulation of grease and food debris on sides of cook line equipment
23-03-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. -walls under hood system have accumulation of grease
36-27-5
26
Feb 3, 2025
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed jalapeños over cooked shrimp in walk in cooler. Manager stores items properly **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-17-4
Basic - Food stored on floor in walk-in cooler. Manager moved items. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Ahi tuna started thawing process in walk in cooler not removed from reduced oxygen packaging. Inspector educated operator proper thawing of reduced oxygen packaging. Manager cut packages. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
06-09-1
86
Aug 8, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw beef over raw shrimp in reach in freezer not all commercially packaged. Manager rearranged reach in freezer. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-17-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Yellow cutting board in prep area has food debris buildup.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. No date of birth, establishment name or expiration date. Manager corrected. **Corrected On-Site**
53B-10-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Scoop with no handle used to dispense rice. **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Salmon started thawing process in walk in cooler not removed from reduced oxygen packaging. Inspector counseled operator about proper thawing of reduced oxygen packaging. Manager cut packages. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
06-09-1
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Yellow cutting board in prep area has grooved cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage on shelf of reach in cooler by fryers. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food in walk in cooler and reach in cooler by fryer not segregated.
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on shelf of reach in cooler next to fryer. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Onions on floor of walk in cooler. Plastic water bottles stored on floor in hallway.
08B-38-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed jalapeños over cooked shrimp in walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
08B-17-4
47
Feb 1, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Home medicine store in reach in cooler. Manager removed items. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Emailed operator information
11-07-5
Intermediate - Packaged food not labeled as specified by law. Raw chicken in containers that say seasoned seaweed salad.
02D-02-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-14-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Co 2 tanks in front counter dining area not secured.
51-11-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee food reach in cooler on cook line. Manager removed items. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic container with no handle in rice. Manager removed container **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table. Manager moved drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed vegetables stored over cooked noodles. Manager moved items in walk-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Chicken on floor walk-in cooler. Cases of water on floor in back hallway. Manager moved off floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-47-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on prep table.
14-09-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Yellowfin tuna in bags thawing in reach in cooler. Manager removed tuna from bags. **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
43
Aug 23, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
37
Jan 11, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
29
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Poke Falls last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Poke Falls on file is from Mar 18, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Poke Falls?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Poke Falls.
How does Poke Falls compare to other restaurants in South Pasadena?
Poke Falls most recently scored 50 out of 100, which is lower than the South Pasadena average of 64.
Has Poke Falls' inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Poke Falls have averaged around nine violations per visit, down from roughly 11 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Poke Falls means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Poke Falls inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Poke Falls is inspected around two times per year on average.
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