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Failed Health Inspection

Castro Cafe One Bite Fails with Cockroaches and Rodent Mess

❌ Failed Health Inspection View Complete Facility Profile Inspected: Aug 29, 2025 Result: Fail
One Bite, a cafe located at 506 Castro Street in San Francisco's vibrant Castro district, failed its routine health inspection on August 29, 2025, after inspectors discovered a disturbing array of pest control issues that posed serious health risks to customers. The most alarming discovery during this inspection was the presence of live cockroaches found in critical food preparation areas. Inspector Katie Dea observed three slow-moving and dying cockroaches, with one discovered under the hand sink in the front prep area and another on the warewash sink. The inspector immediately required the establishment to obtain professional pest control services within 24 hours, including a crack and crevice treatment specifically targeting the cockroach infestation.

Health Violations Found

Beyond the cockroach problem, inspectors also found evidence of rodent activity throughout the facility, including old rodent droppings that required immediate removal and sanitization of affected areas. The combination of cockroaches and rodent evidence presents significant health risks, as these pests are known carriers of dangerous pathogens including Salmonella, hantavirus, and multiple types of bacteria. The inspection revealed additional serious violations that compromised food safety standards. Inspectors found significant grease accumulation on hard-to-reach surfaces under cooking equipment, including shelving, backsplash areas, and wheels of the ventless hood unit. This type of buildup creates ideal conditions for pest harborage and bacterial growth.

Plumbing and Infrastructure Issues

Critical plumbing violations were also cited during the inspection. The hot water faucet at the hand sink in the back prep area was turned off, violating regulations requiring warm water availability at all handwashing stations. Additionally, the food preparation sink only provided hot water, with the cold water faucet completely non-functional. Inspectors also discovered improper drainage systems, noting that the ice cream dipper well drainage pipe lacked the required minimum one-inch air gap from the floor drain below. These plumbing violations create potential cross-contamination risks and violate basic food safety protocols. To address ongoing pest issues, inspectors ordered the immediate sealing of all cracks, gaps, and crevices in the cabinetry along the back wall of the front prep area. These structural deficiencies were identified as potential entry points and harborage areas for cockroaches, particularly around the front hand sink and cabinetry below.

Previous Inspection History

The failed inspection represents a significant decline for the Castro St Muni area establishment. A subsequent reinspection on October 9, 2025, revealed continued pest control problems, with live and dead cockroaches still found near equipment and additional rodent droppings discovered in multiple areas, resulting in only a conditional pass. For customers who frequent this popular Castro district location, the violations highlight serious food safety concerns. Cockroaches and rodents can contaminate food surfaces, utensils, and preparation areas with dangerous bacteria, while inadequate handwashing facilities and compromised plumbing systems further increase the risk of foodborne illness. The establishment must address all cited violations and undergo additional inspections before achieving full compliance with San Francisco health codes.

📍 Related Information

Restaurant DetailsInformation
Name One bite
Address 506 CASTRO ST
District Castro
Cuisine Cafe
Inspection Date August 29, 2025
Inspection Type Routine Inspection
Data sourced directly from SF Department of Public Health