SF Seafood Restaurant Fails with Mouse Droppings & Mold

A routine health inspection at Nicks Lighthouse, a popular seafood restaurant in North Beach, uncovered a disturbing array of violations that would make any diner think twice before ordering. Located at 2815 Taylor Street near the Powell-Mason Cable Car line, the establishment failed its October 7th inspection with six violations, including one critical infraction involving rodents.

Inspection Details

The most alarming discovery during this inspection was evidence of a significant rodent problem throughout the facility. Health inspectors found mouse droppings scattered on the floor around shelves near the walk-in units, painting a picture of mice freely roaming areas where food is stored and prepared. Even more disturbing, a dead mouse was discovered on a glue trap in the caged area beneath the stairs, indicating the infestation had been ongoing. The violations extended beyond the rodent problem. Inspectors discovered black mold growing on the interior left side inside the ice machine - equipment that directly contacts beverages served to customers. This type of contamination poses serious health risks, as mold can trigger allergic reactions and respiratory problems in sensitive individuals.

Health Violations Found

Food safety fundamentals were also compromised at the seafood restaurant. Both the restroom hand sink and kitchen hand sink by the three-compartment sink lacked soap, making proper handwashing impossible for employees. This violation is particularly concerning in a seafood establishment where proper hygiene is crucial to prevent foodborne illness. Storage violations compounded the problems. An open box of crabs was found sitting directly on the walk-in freezer floor, violating the basic food safety requirement that all food items be stored at least six inches above floor level to prevent contamination from cleaning chemicals, pests, and general floor debris.

Equipment Issues

The restaurant's equipment issues created additional health hazards. Extensive ice accumulation was found on the condenser and floor in the walk-in freezer, indicating serious refrigeration problems that could compromise food safety temperatures. Additionally, food handler cards for employees could not be located, suggesting staff may not have received proper food safety training.

Previous Inspection History

The problems at Nicks Lighthouse did not end with the initial failed inspection. A reinspection the following day revealed that while some violations had been corrected, multiple coolers were still failing to maintain proper temperatures. Milk had to be discarded when found at 48°F, well above the safe temperature threshold. This pattern of violations is particularly concerning for a restaurant serving seafood, where proper temperature control and sanitation are critical to preventing serious foodborne illnesses like salmonella, norovirus, and vibrio infections commonly associated with improperly handled fish and shellfish. North Beach diners who frequent the area's numerous restaurants should be aware that this establishment remains under scrutiny from health officials. The combination of rodent activity, mold contamination, and basic sanitation failures represents a serious breach of food safety standards that could endanger public health. The restaurant was not ordered to close following the inspection but must address all violations before passing a follow-up inspection. Inspector John Wells conducted both the initial inspection and reinspection, documenting the ongoing compliance issues at this Taylor Street establishment.