A restaurant in San Francisco's
Mission district failed its routine health inspection on September 23rd after inspectors discovered
rodents and multiple equipment violations that posed significant health risks to dining customers.
The establishment at 1325 Florida Street, located near the bustling
24th Street Mission BART station, received a failing grade during
this inspection that lasted from 3:10 PM to 4:15 PM. Inspector Katie Dea from the San Francisco Department of Public Health documented four total violations, all classified as minor but collectively serious enough to warrant a failure.
Rodent Infestation Discovered
The most concerning violation involved evidence of
insects,
rodents, birds or other non-service animals on the premises. This violation was corrected on-site, suggesting inspectors found active signs of pest activity that required immediate remediation. The presence of rodents in food service establishments poses severe health risks, as mice can produce up to 50 droppings daily containing dangerous pathogens like Salmonella and hantavirus.
According to health officials,
cockroaches carry 33 different types of bacteria and 6 parasitic worms, while rats can spread serious diseases including plague and leptospirosis. The discovery of pest activity in any restaurant kitchen creates an immediate contamination risk for food preparation surfaces and stored ingredients.
Equipment and Structural Violations
Inspectors also cited the restaurant for using unapproved
equipment that was not properly cleaned, installed, or in good repair. This was marked as a repeat violation, indicating the establishment had previously been warned about the same issue. Household-grade equipment cannot withstand the demands of commercial food service and often develops cracks and crevices where harmful bacteria can multiply and contaminate food.
Additionally, the restaurant's floors, walls and ceilings were found to be improperly built, maintained or cleaned. This structural violation appeared twice on the inspection report, suggesting multiple areas of the facility had deteriorated beyond acceptable standards. Cracked walls and damaged flooring create entry points for pests and make thorough cleaning impossible, allowing bacteria to accumulate and potentially contaminate food products.
Neighborhood Impact
The failed inspection affects a busy section of the
Mission district known for its diverse dining scene and heavy foot traffic from commuters using the nearby BART station. Customers who dined at the establishment before the inspection may have been exposed to food prepared in unsanitary conditions with potential rodent contamination.
Despite the violations, the restaurant was not ordered to close and no reopening date was required, meaning management was allowed to address the issues while continuing operations. However, the facility will likely face follow-up inspections to ensure all violations have been properly corrected.
Previous Inspection History
Recent inspection records show this restaurant has struggled with maintaining health standards. A
previous inspection on September 12th also resulted in a failure, followed by a
conditional pass on September 3rd. This pattern suggests ongoing management challenges with basic food safety protocols and facility maintenance.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health conducts routine inspections to protect public health and ensure restaurants maintain safe food handling practices. Customers concerned about food safety can review inspection reports online and contact inspector Katie Dea at katie.dea@sfdph.org for additional information about this facility.
