Casements Mission Restaurant Conditional Pass on Pest Issues

Casements in the Mission District received a conditional pass during a health department reinspection on September 16, 2025, after inspectors identified ongoing pest control issues that require immediate attention while allowing the restaurant to continue operating. The restaurant at 2351 Mission Street, located near 24th St Mission BART, was cited for one critical violation during this inspection conducted between 1:50 PM and 2:15 PM. Inspector Katie Dea documented evidence of rodent activity in the facility's attic area, specifically noting the need to eliminate rodents and address entry points.

Inspection Details

The critical violation centered on pest control deficiencies, with inspectors ordering management to eliminate rodents from the facility and remove all evidence of rodent activity. The restaurant must clean and sanitize all affected areas while implementing daily monitoring protocols and continuing regular professional pest control services. Most significantly, inspectors discovered a specific entry point - a hole around a pipe entering the floor next to the water heater in the attic - that must be sealed within 48 hours. The establishment is required to send photographic verification of the repair to Katie.dea@sfdph.org to confirm compliance. The inspector's report emphasized the importance of using durable repair materials, specifically warning against spray foam applications. Management must continue checking the attic perimeter for additional entry points and seal any discovered openings with permanent repairs to prevent future rodent intrusion.

Health Implications

The violation carries serious health implications, as rodent contamination poses significant food safety risks. Rodents can produce up to 50 droppings daily containing dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus. The presence of rodent activity in food service establishments creates potential for contamination of food preparation surfaces, storage areas, and dining environments. During the inspection, the violation was marked as "corrected on site," indicating that immediate steps were taken to address the most pressing safety concerns. However, the conditional pass status reflects the need for ongoing monitoring and verification of permanent repairs to prevent recurrence.

Previous Inspection History

This reinspection followed a previous inspection on September 4, 2025, which also resulted in a conditional pass. That earlier routine inspection identified multiple violations including temperature control issues and the same pest control problems now being addressed during the follow-up visit. The September 4 inspection found violations related to proper hot and cold holding temperatures, cooling methods, and the ongoing rodent issue. The pattern suggests that while the restaurant has made progress on food temperature management, the pest control situation required continued attention and professional intervention.

Restaurant Operations Continue

Despite the conditional status, Casements remains open for business while addressing the required corrections. The conditional pass allows continued food service operations under the understanding that management is actively working to resolve the identified issues within the specified timeframe. The establishment, operated by Down with This Sort of Thing, LLC, continues serving customers in the vibrant Mission District while implementing the inspector's recommendations. The restaurant's ability to operate during this correction period demonstrates that while improvements are needed, the violations do not pose immediate danger requiring closure. Management has 48 hours to complete the required attic repairs and must maintain enhanced pest monitoring protocols to ensure the facility meets full health department standards during the next inspection cycle.