SF Mission Rotisserie Closed for Raw Chicken Cross-Contamination

Ezzo Rotisserie on 24th Street in San Francisco's Mission district has been forced to close after health inspectors discovered dangerous cross-contamination violations that put customers at serious risk of foodborne illness. During this inspection on August 22, 2025, inspector Tiombe Wiley found raw chicken stored directly next to vegetables in the prep cooler, creating an immediate threat of salmonella and campylobacter contamination. The most alarming violation occurred when inspectors observed raw chicken stored in the prep top refrigerator alongside raw onions and chopped lettuce. This dangerous storage practice allows harmful bacteria from raw poultry to drip onto ready-to-eat vegetables, potentially causing severe foodborne illness outbreaks. The California Retail Food Code strictly prohibits this type of food storage arrangement due to the high risk of bacterial transmission.

Critical Health Violations Found

Beyond the dangerous chicken storage, inspectors discovered multiple sanitation failures throughout the restaurant. Food residue covered the exterior surfaces of refrigerator doors, creating breeding grounds for bacteria and attracting pests. Staff members were observed improperly dumping sanitizer solution into the prep sink where food is washed and thawed, directly contaminating the area used for food preparation. The facility's cleaning standards had completely broken down. Inspectors found sticky flooring near the prep and hand sink areas, with food particles scattered across the floor in the back warewash and storage sections. This accumulation of food debris creates an attractive environment for rodents and cockroaches, potentially leading to pest infestations.

Equipment and Safety Failures

Critical equipment issues compounded the sanitation problems. The restaurant's sanitizer bucket contained no chlorine solution when tested, meaning staff were using ineffective cleaning methods on food contact surfaces. Two dry wiping cloths were left sitting on the prep table, violating proper sanitation protocols for food preparation areas. Most concerning, staff had contaminated the hand sink basin with food particles and residue. Hand sinks are designated exclusively for handwashing to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria, and any food-related contamination renders them unsafe for their intended purpose.

Certification and Management Issues

The violations extended to basic operational requirements. The restaurant failed to display current Food Manager Safety Certification and Food Handler Cards on site, indicating potential gaps in staff training on proper food safety procedures. Certified food safety managers typically reduce critical violations by 60 percent through proper oversight of temperature control, contamination prevention, and hygiene protocols.

Location and Community Impact

Located at 3388 24th Street near the 24th St Mission BART station, Ezzo Rotisserie sits in one of San Francisco's busiest dining corridors. The closure removes a popular dining option from the vibrant Mission food scene, where residents and visitors rely on local restaurants for daily meals. This represents the restaurant's first recorded health inspection since opening, making the severity of violations particularly concerning. The facility remains closed with no reopening date scheduled, as management must address all critical violations and pass a reinspection before resuming food service. The San Francisco Department of Public Health will require comprehensive corrections to all cited violations before considering reopening approval. Customers who recently dined at the establishment should monitor for symptoms of foodborne illness, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, which can appear within hours or days of consuming contaminated food.