Maxfields House of Caffeine Gets Conditional Health Inspection

Maxfields House of Caffeine, a popular cafe located at 398 Dolores Street in San Francisco's vibrant Mission District, received a conditional pass during its routine health inspection on November 18, 2025. While the establishment can continue serving customers, inspectors identified several minor violations that require immediate attention to maintain food safety standards.

Inspection Details

During this inspection, which took place between 11:15 AM and 12:00 PM, health department inspector Katherine Tuazon documented two violations that prevented the cafe from receiving a full pass. The inspection revealed old rodent droppings in the back storage area where non-food items are kept, along with improper sanitization practices involving wiping cloths. The most significant finding involved evidence of rodent activity in the storage area. Inspectors discovered old mouse droppings in the back storage room, an area designated for non-food items. This violation falls under California Retail Food Code Section 114259, which strictly prohibits the presence of insects, rodents, birds, or non-service animals in food establishments. The health department emphasized the serious nature of rodent contamination, noting that mice can produce up to 50 droppings daily containing dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus. Additionally, staff members were observed leaving wiping cloths on counters and food preparation tables instead of storing them in sanitizer solution when not in use. This practice violates proper sanitation protocols and could lead to cross-contamination between surfaces.

Positive Findings and Continued Operations

Despite these violations, the inspection also revealed several positive aspects of the cafe's operations. Inspectors noted that hand sinks were properly stocked with soap and paper towels, cold holding temperatures were maintained at appropriate levels, and hot water was available at all sinks throughout the facility. These findings indicate that the restaurant maintains many essential food safety practices. The conditional pass status allows Maxfields House of Caffeine to continue serving customers near the 24th Street Mission BART station while addressing the identified issues. The establishment must clean and sanitize all areas affected by rodent droppings and implement proper storage procedures for cleaning cloths in sanitizer solution.

Establishment Background

Maxfields House of Caffeine operates as a cafe in one of San Francisco's most dynamic neighborhoods. The Mission District location attracts both local residents and visitors exploring the area's renowned food scene. As a relatively new entry in the city's restaurant inspection database, this represents the establishment's first recorded health inspection, providing a baseline for future compliance efforts. The cafe is owned by Maxfield Cafe LLC and can be reached at (415) 609-8688 for customers seeking updates on the corrective measures being implemented. Staff member Tiffany received the inspection report and is responsible for ensuring all violations are addressed promptly.

Next Steps and Follow-Up

Restaurant management must take immediate action to address the rodent issue by thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing affected storage areas while implementing pest control measures to prevent future infestations. Staff training on proper sanitization procedures for cleaning cloths will also be required to ensure compliance with health department standards. The San Francisco Department of Public Health will likely conduct a follow-up inspection to verify that all violations have been corrected and that the establishment meets full compliance standards. Once these issues are resolved, Maxfields House of Caffeine should receive a standard passing grade, allowing the Mission District cafe to continue serving the community without restrictions.