West Portal Restaurant The Sherwood Closed for Rodent Droppings

The Sherwood restaurant in West Portal was ordered closed by San Francisco health inspectors on August 20, 2025, after discovering extensive rodent contamination throughout the facility, including mouse droppings near food storage areas and rat droppings on storage shelves. During this inspection conducted between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM, Inspector William Bajjalieh found mouse droppings scattered on the floor by cardboard boxes and behind the white chest freezer, along with rat droppings on a storage shelf in the upstairs storage area. The contamination posed immediate health risks to customers, as mice produce 50 droppings daily containing dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus, while rats can spread plague and leptospirosis. The 179 W Portal Avenue establishment, located near the West Portal Muni station, accumulated four total violations during the routine inspection, with three classified as critical. Beyond the rodent infestation, inspectors discovered the facility's hot water system was failing to meet basic sanitation requirements, with maximum temperatures at the three-compartment sink reaching only 107 degrees Fahrenheit when the minimum required temperature is 120 degrees.

Health Violations Found

The inspection revealed multiple entry points enabling ongoing rodent access to the restaurant. Inspectors identified a gap between the front doors large enough for rodent entry, requiring immediate sealing. Additionally, overgrown vegetation behind the building provided harborage for pests, with inspectors ordering the facility to trim excess vines that could serve as pathways for rodents and other vermin. The rodent contamination particularly concerned health officials given the proximity to food preparation and storage areas. Cardboard boxes near the mouse droppings create ideal breeding grounds for cockroaches, as each egg case can contain 30-40 nymphs. The inspector ordered immediate cleaning and sanitization of all affected surfaces and mandated the restaurant hire a licensed pest control operator.

Permit and Compliance Issues

Compounding the health violations, The Sherwood was operating with outstanding permit fees owed to the San Francisco Tax Collector's Office. Inspector Bajjalieh provided an invoice for the unpaid fees and warned that failure to make immediate payment before any reinspection could result in citation or continued closure. The restaurant was required to provide proof of payment to qualify for potential reopening.

Previous Inspection History

The August 20 closure marked the beginning of ongoing compliance issues for The Sherwood. When inspectors returned for a reinspection on September 25, 2025, the facility failed again and remained closed. The September inspection continued to find problems with rodent control, premises maintenance, and permit compliance, indicating the restaurant had not successfully addressed the initial violations. The repeated failures suggest systematic issues with the restaurant's sanitation protocols and pest control measures. For West Portal residents who frequently dine along the corridor near the Muni station, The Sherwood's closure removes a potentially hazardous dining option while the establishment works to meet basic health and safety standards. The restaurant remains closed pending successful completion of all required corrections, including professional pest control treatment, infrastructure repairs, permit fee payment, and demonstration of sustained compliance with San Francisco health codes.