Las Katrinas Gets Conditional Pass Despite Rodent Issues

Las Katrinas in Visitacion Valley received a conditional pass on its health inspection reinspection, allowing the restaurant to continue operating while addressing minor pest control issues that were immediately corrected on site. During this inspection conducted on November 3, 2025, health inspector Montre Tieu discovered old rodent droppings in bowls located in the back-of-house utensil storage area. The violation was promptly addressed when restaurant staff immediately cleaned and sanitized all contaminated utensils under the inspector's supervision.

Inspection Details

The reinspection at 2426 San Bruno Avenue revealed one critical violation related to pest control that had been flagged during the restaurant's previous inspection in October. The inspector noted the presence of old rodent droppings, triggering California Retail Food Code Section 114259 which prohibits insects, rodents, birds, and other non-service animals in food establishments. Restaurant manager Laura Alvarez received the inspection report and confirmed the establishment's commitment to working with their licensed pest control operator to eliminate any remaining rodent activity. The inspector provided specific guidance for ongoing pest management, including sealing gaps throughout the facility and maintaining detailed pest control reports for future Department of Public Health reviews.

Health Safety Response

The immediate response by Las Katrinas staff demonstrated proper food safety protocols when contamination is discovered. The quick cleaning and sanitization of affected utensils allowed the restaurant to address the violation without requiring closure or service interruption for diners in the busy Visitacion Valley neighborhood. Health officials emphasized the importance of continuous pest monitoring in restaurant environments, particularly given the serious health risks posed by rodent contamination. Mice can produce up to 50 droppings daily containing dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus, while rats can spread plague and leptospirosis through their waste products.

Restaurant Operations Continue

The conditional pass allows Las Katrinas to maintain normal operations while implementing enhanced pest control measures. The restaurant, owned by Punto Azul Inc., serves the local community near the T-Third Muni line and has been working to address ongoing maintenance issues identified during routine inspections. The establishment's inspection history shows this was a reinspection following a conditional result from their October 22 routine inspection, indicating the restaurant has been actively working with health officials to resolve compliance issues. The focused nature of the November reinspection suggests inspectors were specifically monitoring the pest control situation that had been flagged previously.

Ongoing Compliance Efforts

Las Katrinas must continue working with their licensed pest control operator to ensure complete elimination of any rodent activity from the facility. The restaurant is required to maintain comprehensive pest control documentation on site for future Department of Public Health reviews and inspections. The inspector's report emphasizes the need for thorough facility monitoring and gap sealing to prevent future pest intrusion. Regular professional pest control services combined with daily staff vigilance for signs of rodent activity will be essential for maintaining health code compliance. The conditional pass reflects the restaurant's immediate corrective action and commitment to resolving the pest control issue while allowing continued service to customers in the Visitacion Valley community. Future inspections will monitor the effectiveness of enhanced pest control measures and facility maintenance improvements.