SF Halal Fried Chicken Closed for Mouse Droppings Near Food

Health inspectors shuttered Halal Fried Chicken on Geary Street Tuesday morning after discovering extensive rodent contamination throughout the kitchen, including mouse droppings directly adjacent to food preparation areas where customers' meals were being prepared. The Tenderloin restaurant failed this inspection when inspector John Wells found mouse droppings in multiple critical locations during the routine September 3rd visit. Most alarming was the discovery of rodent waste on a wooden ledge immediately next to the food preparation cooler where extensive food preparation occurs daily.

Widespread Contamination Discovery

The contamination extended far beyond the initial discovery point. Inspectors documented mouse droppings scattered around the batter table where chicken is prepared for frying, creating a direct pathway for disease transmission to customer food. Additional droppings were found on the floor next to the one-door upright refrigerator where raw chicken is stored, raising serious concerns about cross-contamination. The basement areas revealed even more extensive rodent activity. Droppings were discovered behind the water heater and scattered across floors near chest freezers used for food storage. This widespread presence indicates a long-standing infestation that posed ongoing health risks to anyone consuming food from the establishment.

Health Risks and Public Safety Concerns

The health implications for customers who ate at the restaurant are severe. Mice produce up to 50 droppings daily, each potentially containing dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus. The location of droppings near food prep areas means contamination could have easily transferred to customer meals through airborne particles or direct contact. Rodent droppings in food service environments create multiple transmission pathways for foodborne illness. When droppings are present near batter stations and food preparation surfaces, bacteria and viruses can become airborne during normal cooking activities, contaminating not just the immediate area but spreading throughout the kitchen. The restaurant's location at 601 Geary Street in the Tenderloin district, near Powell St BART/Muni, serves a high volume of foot traffic daily. The closure protects thousands of potential customers who frequent the busy corridor.

Inspection Details and Enforcement

Inspector Wells conducted the examination from 10:45 AM to 11:15 AM on September 3rd, documenting violations under California Retail Food Code Section 114259. The inspector's report specifically noted the "high risk location" of droppings near the food preparation cooler, emphasizing the immediate danger to public health. The restaurant was ordered to clean all mouse droppings, sanitize affected areas, and eliminate the mouse infestation before reopening. However, as of this report, the establishment remains closed with no reopening date scheduled.

First-Time Violation Pattern

This represents the restaurant's first recorded health inspection, making the extensive contamination particularly concerning. The widespread nature of the rodent activity suggests the problems developed over time without proper pest control measures or sanitation protocols. The closure serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of consistent pest management in food service establishments, particularly in urban environments where rodent populations are prevalent. The San Francisco Department of Public Health continues monitoring the situation and will require comprehensive remediation before considering reopening approval.