Hermelinda Guatemalan Restaurant Reopens After Health Closure

Hermelinda Restaurante Guatemalteco has successfully reopened after passing a critical reinspection following a health closure just one day prior. The popular Guatemalan restaurant at 2279 Mission Street in the Mission district demonstrated its commitment to food safety by swiftly correcting serious health violations that led to its temporary closure on November 20, 2025. During this inspection conducted on November 21 between 3:15 PM and 3:50 PM, health inspectors found that all imminent health hazards had been properly addressed. The restaurant had successfully eliminated evidence of rodents and cockroaches, discarded all contaminated food items, sealed entry points, and completed professional pest control services.

Swift Response to Health Violations

The reinspection revealed remarkable progress in just 24 hours. Restaurant management had removed all evidence of rodent and cockroach activity, with affected areas thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. No live rodents or cockroaches were observed during the follow-up visit, and new monitoring traps had been strategically placed throughout the facility. Professional pest control services were completed on November 21, 2025, addressing the root cause of the infestation. Entry points that had previously allowed pest access were properly sealed, with restaurant staff providing photographic evidence to inspectors via email to document their compliance efforts. All contaminated food products identified during the initial closure inspection had been properly discarded, ensuring that no compromised items remained in the facility. Food contact surfaces throughout the kitchen received thorough cleaning and sanitization, meeting health department standards.

Remaining Compliance Issues

While the restaurant successfully addressed the critical violations that led to its closure, inspectors noted one minor issue requiring attention. A gap under the walk-in cooler door sweep needs a tighter seal to prevent future pest entry. This minor deficiency will be checked during the next routine inspection, but did not prevent the restaurant's immediate reopening. The inspection documented five total violations, with four corrected on-site during the reinspection visit. One critical violation related to vermin and rodent harborage was successfully resolved, along with three major violations concerning food contact surfaces, food contamination, and proper food storage practices.

Customer Safety Assurance

The swift resolution of these health violations is particularly significant given the serious nature of pest infestations in food service establishments. Mice can produce up to 50 droppings daily containing dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and viruses including hantavirus. Cockroaches are known carriers of 33 different types of bacteria and six parasitic worms, making their elimination crucial for customer safety. Located near the 16th St Mission BART station, Hermelinda Restaurante Guatemalteco serves a diverse community of Mission district residents and visitors. The restaurant's quick response to health concerns demonstrates its commitment to maintaining safe dining conditions for customers who frequent this vibrant neighborhood corridor. This marks the restaurant's first documented inspection, making the successful resolution of these violations an important foundation for future compliance. The facility can now resume normal operations with confidence that proper food safety protocols are in place to protect public health.