The Cadillac SOMA Restaurant Closed for Rodent Droppings

The Cadillac restaurant in SOMA was forced to close its doors after health inspectors discovered rodent droppings and organic growth contaminating food preparation areas during a follow-up inspection on August 13, 2025. Located at 1355 Market Street near Civic Center BART, the restaurant failed this inspection with 10 total violations, including two critical infractions that posed immediate health risks to customers. The establishment remains closed with no reopening date announced.

Critical Health Violations Discovered

The most serious violation involved rodent droppings discovered in the mop sink area near the water heater, creating a contamination risk throughout the facility. Health experts warn that mice produce up to 50 droppings daily containing dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus, which can cause severe foodborne illness in restaurant patrons. Inspectors also found significant plumbing violations in the bar area, where wastewater hoses were either directly touching the floor or positioned inside floor drains without proper air gaps. This creates a dangerous backflow situation that can introduce sewage contamination into the restaurant's water supply and food preparation areas. Principal Inspector Mary Freschet, working jointly with Inspector Katherine Tuazon, documented organic growth inside the food prep sink and on ice machine panels - areas that come into direct contact with food served to customers. This type of mold and bacterial growth can harbor dangerous pathogens and spread contamination throughout the kitchen.

Additional Food Safety Concerns

The inspection revealed multiple violations affecting food safety protocols. Staff were storing pre-cooked and cooked food items directly under raw meats in the reach-in freezer, creating a high risk of cross-contamination from dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter that naturally occur in raw meat. Inspectors discovered the restaurant was using insecticide spray branded "Raid" stored in the food storage room, requiring immediate removal from the facility. The presence of toxic substances in food storage areas violates health codes and creates serious poisoning risks. The dishwashing machine was not dispensing adequate chlorine sanitizer levels, failing to reach the required 50 parts per million concentration needed to eliminate bacteria and viruses from dishes and utensils used by customers.

Equipment and Sanitation Failures

Additional violations included a cooling drawer unit under the grill that was turned off while storing raw meat, allowing dangerous bacterial growth at unsafe temperatures. Staff were also observed using wiping cloths to dry hands instead of single-use paper towels, violating proper sanitation protocols and increasing contamination risks. The inspection found debris accumulation under the bar sink, indicating poor cleaning practices throughout the facility. Such conditions create breeding grounds for cockroaches and other pests that can spread disease.

Restaurant Background

The Cadillac, operated by Dos Laredos LLC, appears to be a new establishment with no previous inspection history on record. The restaurant can be reached at (415) 583-0014, though calls regarding reopening plans have not been returned. The closure represents a significant food safety concern for the busy SOMA dining scene, particularly given the restaurant's location near major transit hubs and office buildings. Health officials stress that customers who recently dined at The Cadillac should monitor for symptoms of foodborne illness and seek medical attention if experiencing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.