Schroeder's Financial District Closed for Rodent Droppings

Schroeder's, the historic Financial District establishment at 240 Front Street, has been shuttered by the San Francisco Department of Public Health after inspectors discovered a disturbing array of health violations during this inspection on August 28, 2025. The restaurant, located near Embarcadero BART, failed its follow-up inspection with eight total violations, including critical findings involving rodents and dangerous temperature violations. ## Health Violations Found The most alarming discovery came when Inspector Alyssa Manzano found old rodent droppings underneath the stairs in the restaurant's basement. While no live rodents were observed during the inspection, the presence of droppings indicates a significant pest control failure that could expose diners to serious health risks including salmonella and hantavirus. Temperature violations posed immediate danger to customer safety. Inspectors found chicken cutlets stored at a dangerous 50°F, pork cutlets at 47°F, and chicken wings at 48°F in the bottom drawer of an undercounter refrigerator at the kitchen entrance. These temperatures fall well below the safe cold-holding requirement of 41°F or below, creating prime conditions for bacterial growth and foodborne illness. Even more concerning, cooked potatoes in the walk-in cooler were discovered at a scorching 115°F. According to the person in charge, these potatoes had been cooked just one hour before the inspection, indicating dangerous cooling procedures that could lead to rapid bacterial multiplication and severe food poisoning. ## Equipment and Sanitation Failures Critical equipment issues compounded the safety concerns. Both dish machines at the bar registered zero parts per million chlorine, meaning dishes and utensils were not being properly sanitized. This complete sanitizer failure creates a pathway for cross-contamination and pathogen transmission throughout the restaurant's operations. The inspection also revealed improper storage of vacuum-sealed foods in the basement preparation kitchen. Items including steaks dated August 23-25, duck dated August 18, and sausage dated August 22 were stored in reduced oxygen packaging for more than 48 hours without proper variance compliance, violating specialized food handling requirements. ## Additional Safety Concerns Inspectors found household-use Ortho insect spray stored inappropriately on the floor underneath the bar, raising concerns about chemical contamination near food service areas. Several compressed cylinders were discovered unrestrained to rigid structures, creating potential safety hazards for staff and customers. Infrastructure problems included non-approved, absorbent ceiling tiles in the main kitchen that could harbor bacteria and create contamination risks during food preparation. ## Restaurant History and Closure This closure marks a significant fall for the Financial District establishment, which had been operating without recent inspection issues. The restaurant successfully passed a reinspection on September 5, 2025, allowing it to reopen after addressing the violations found during the August closure. The violations discovered at Schroeder's highlight the ongoing challenges restaurants face in maintaining food safety standards, particularly in older buildings with multiple levels and complex kitchen operations. The combination of pest issues, temperature control failures, and sanitation breakdowns created a perfect storm of health risks that left inspectors with no choice but to order immediate closure. For diners in the Financial District looking for safe dining options near Embarcadero BART, this closure serves as a reminder of the importance of regular health inspections in protecting public health. The restaurant's eventual reopening after addressing these serious violations demonstrates the effectiveness of San Francisco's inspection system in ensuring food safety compliance.