SF Dim Sum Restaurant Fails with Dead Mouse, Flies, Violations

A popular Parkside dim sum restaurant failed its health inspection after inspectors discovered a dead baby mouse on a glue board and flies buzzing around food preparation areas, along with serious hand washing violations that put customers at risk of foodborne illness. Dim Sum Club at 2237 Taraval Street received a failing grade during this inspection on October 9, 2025, when Inspector William Bajjalieh found eight total violations, including one major violation that threatens public health.

Health Violations Found

The most alarming discovery was a dead baby mouse found on a glue board in the back storage room, accompanied by flies in the prep area. According to health officials, mice produce 50 droppings daily containing Salmonella and hantavirus, while flies carry numerous pathogens that can contaminate food surfaces. Inspectors observed workers failing to discard gloves and wash hands after contaminating them by touching raw foods and their faces. No hand washing events took place until specifically requested by the inspector, creating a serious risk for cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods. The restaurant's dish machine failed to dispense sanitizer properly, forcing staff to sanitize dishes manually in the three-compartment sink. Sanitizer buckets prepared the previous day were soiled and had chlorine levels well below the required 100 parts per million, leaving dishes inadequately sanitized.

Food Storage and Safety Issues

Inspectors found frozen meats and seafood being stored underneath prep sinks and the three-compartment sink, violating food safety codes that prohibit storing food underneath plumbing fixtures or directly on floors. Raw shrimp and cooked diced pork were discovered in the back storage room with the screen door left open, allowing pest entry. The facility was also caught thawing frozen fish, shrimp, and other meats at room temperature, a dangerous practice that allows harmful bacteria to multiply rapidly. Health codes require using only four approved thawing methods to prevent bacterial growth. Additional violations included improper shell stock documentation for live clams purchased individually from a local Irving Street market. Commercial establishments must obtain and retain shell stock tags for 90 days minimum to ensure traceability in case of illness outbreaks.

Equipment and Maintenance Problems

Large pots and a deep fryer were found stored outdoors, violating health codes requiring all food equipment to be stored indoors. The three-door under-counter refrigerator had a torn door gasket that needed replacement, and the facility lacked dedicated utensils such as tongs for handling different types of meat and seafood.

Previous Inspection History

This marks the second inspection for Dim Sum Club, which received a conditional pass during a reinspection on October 16, 2025, indicating the restaurant addressed some but not all violations found during the initial failed inspection. The restaurant serves the Parkside neighborhood near the West Portal Muni station, making it a convenient dining option for local residents and commuters. However, the combination of rodent activity, inadequate handwashing practices, and equipment issues raised serious concerns about food safety standards that could potentially expose customers to foodborne illnesses. Inspector William Bajjalieh can be reached at (415) 252-3918 for questions about the inspection results and required corrections.