Park Gym Gets Conditional Pass for Rodent Activity & Hot Water

Park Gym on Divisadero Street received a conditional pass during its November 24th health inspection, with inspectors discovering rodent droppings behind prep coolers and hot water temperature violations that require immediate correction while allowing the restaurant to remain open for business. The routine inspection at the Pacific Heights establishment revealed six total violations, including one critical violation for rodent activity that demands professional pest control intervention within seven days. Despite these findings, the restaurant can continue serving customers while addressing the minor compliance issues identified during this inspection.

Inspection Details

Health inspectors found rodent droppings along the wall behind prep coolers, requiring immediate elimination of rodent activity from the facility. The inspector ordered comprehensive cleaning and sanitization of affected areas with dilute bleach solution, sealing of entry points, and professional pest control service with a report submitted within seven days. Temperature violations also surfaced when hot water at the three-compartment sink measured only 118°F, falling below the required 120°F minimum for proper sanitization. The restaurant must immediately provide adequate hot running water throughout the food preparation facility to meet health code standards. Additional violations included missing food safety manager certificates, absent paper towels at the handwash sink, and household microwave ovens that must be replaced with NSF-approved commercial equipment. Two violations were corrected on-site during the inspection when operators provided temporary paper towels and prepared proper bleach solution for sanitizing food contact surfaces.

Health Violations Found

The critical violation for rodent activity poses the most serious concern, as mice can produce up to 50 droppings daily containing harmful pathogens like Salmonella and hantavirus. Inspectors discovered dust and debris accumulated inside the ice machine, though this was cleaned during the inspection visit. The food safety manager certificate violation represents a repeat offense, requiring the restaurant to obtain proper certification and food handler cards within 14 days while registering for the certificate program within seven days. The missing paper towels at handwash stations violated proper hygiene protocols, though this was immediately corrected when staff provided temporary supplies. Hot water temperature deficiencies prevent effective sanitization of dishes and equipment, creating potential risks for bacterial survival. The household microwave equipment must be removed and replaced with commercial-grade appliances that meet food service standards.

Restaurant Operations

Located at 1823 Divisadero Street near Fillmore bus lines, Park Gym continues operating while addressing these correctable violations. The conditional pass allows the restaurant to maintain normal business hours and serve customers during the correction period. The establishment has no previous inspection history on record, making this the first documented health department evaluation. The November 24th inspection lasted from 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM, providing inspectors adequate time to thoroughly examine food preparation areas and identify compliance issues. Restaurant management must work with professional pest control services to eliminate rodent activity and prevent future infestations. Temperature control systems require immediate attention to ensure proper hot water delivery throughout the facility, while administrative violations like missing certificates need prompt resolution. The conditional pass status demonstrates that while violations were discovered, they remain correctable without requiring closure or posing immediate public health emergencies. Follow-up inspections will verify compliance with all corrective measures and ensure the restaurant meets full health code requirements for continued operation in the Pacific Heights neighborhood. Staff Reporter at SF Restaurant Inspections