Chipotle Mexican Grill SOMA Gets Conditional Pass on Rodent Issue

Chipotle Mexican Grill #839 in San Francisco's SOMA district received a conditional pass during a September 10 health reinspection, with inspectors citing minor rodent control violations that require correction but allow the popular Mexican chain restaurant to continue serving customers. The 525 Market Street location, conveniently located near Montgomery St BART, was found to have mouse droppings in several areas during this inspection conducted by Inspector Patrick Wood. The violations were discovered around the hot water heater, storage areas, and notably in the dining area near children's high chairs, raising concerns about pest control measures.

Inspection Details

Inspector Wood documented mouse feces in multiple locations throughout the facility, including areas where customers dine with their families. The inspector's report specifically noted findings "on floor around hot water heater, floor of storage area, and on floor of dining area near high chairs." The restaurant was instructed to clean and sanitize all affected areas immediately and implement better preventive measures. The inspection revealed that while the restaurant had engaged professional pest control services, with a report dated May 22, 2025, the mouse problem persisted. The pest control documentation showed previous awareness of rodent activity near the dining area's high chairs, indicating an ongoing challenge that requires more aggressive intervention.

Corrective Actions Required

Health officials provided specific guidance to address the rodent infestation, requiring the restaurant to maintain food storage at least six inches off the floor and use sealed hard-plastic or metal containers when possible. These measures help prevent mice from accessing food sources and nesting materials within the facility. The conditional pass status means the restaurant can continue normal operations while addressing these minor violations. However, failure to correct the cited issues may result in administrative penalties or require the facility to appear at an abatement hearing, according to the inspector's warning.

Restaurant History and Context

This reinspection follows a previous conditional pass at the same location on August 19, 2025, suggesting ongoing challenges with maintaining perfect compliance standards. The repeat conditional status indicates the restaurant has been working to address inspector concerns but hasn't yet achieved full compliance. The SOMA location serves a busy downtown clientele, particularly office workers and commuters using the nearby Montgomery Street BART station. The restaurant's ability to remain open during the correction period ensures continued service to the neighborhood's dining options.

Public Health Perspective

While mouse droppings pose potential health risks, including exposure to salmonella and other bacteria, the conditional pass indicates violations are manageable and don't require immediate closure. Health officials continue monitoring the facility to ensure proper remediation of the pest control issues. The California Retail Food Code Section 114259 requires restaurants to maintain premises free from insects, rodents, and other pests. The Chipotle location is working with professional pest control services to achieve full compliance and prevent future violations. Customers can continue dining at the Market Street Chipotle while management implements enhanced pest control measures and improves food storage practices to meet health department standards.