Randy's Place Closed for Rodents and Inoperable Sinks

Randy's Place on Ocean Avenue in San Francisco's Excelsior neighborhood has been shuttered by the health department following a shocking inspection that revealed a rodent infestation, decaying food, and completely inoperable handwashing facilities. The September 4th routine inspection uncovered conditions so severe that the restaurant was immediately closed to protect public health. Inspector Cristina Fung-Autry discovered rodents throughout the facility, forcing an immediate closure order. The inspector found extensive rodent droppings and mandated that management hire a professionally licensed pest control company to service the facility and provide a pest control service report dated on or after September 4, 2025. All rodent droppings must be removed and affected surfaces thoroughly sanitized before the restaurant can even attempt to reopen.

Inspection Details

The inspection revealed a cascading series of health violations that painted a disturbing picture of restaurant operations. In the walk-in refrigerator, inspectors discovered decaying food stored alongside regular inventory, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and contamination. Food items were observed stored directly on the ground, stacked three to four feet high with no organizational system. Perhaps most alarming, both handwashing sinks in the bar area were found to be completely inoperable. The sinks had items stored in their basins and appeared to lack functioning faucets capable of providing warm or cold water. This critical violation left employees without any means to properly wash their hands during food preparation and service. The inspector noted that the handwashing facilities must immediately provide cold water and warm water reaching a minimum of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Without functioning handwashing stations, employees cannot maintain basic hygiene standards required for safe food service, dramatically increasing the risk of norovirus and other foodborne illnesses spreading to customers.

Health Violations Found

Beyond the rodent infestation and broken handwashing facilities, inspectors documented multiple additional violations throughout Randy's Place. The facility lacked proper thermometers in refrigeration units, making it impossible to monitor safe food storage temperatures. Flies were observed swarming around garbage in the customer dining area, with refuse accumulating throughout the facility including back and front service areas and storage closets. Personal items were scattered throughout the restaurant in a manner that made it difficult to distinguish between customer items and personal belongings. These items were found in refrigeration units, the walk-in refrigerator, and various storage areas, creating confusion and potential contamination risks. The restaurant received a total of eight violations during this inspection, including one critical violation for the rodent infestation, two major violations for the inoperable handwashing facilities and lack of hot and cold running water, and five minor violations for various operational deficiencies.

Restaurant History

Located at 1101 Ocean Avenue near Balboa Park BART, Randy's Place serves the Excelsior community as a neighborhood restaurant. This appears to be the facility's first health department inspection on record, making the severity of violations even more concerning for a new establishment. The health department has not indicated when or if the restaurant might be permitted to reopen. Management must address all violations, including professional pest control treatment, repair of handwashing facilities, removal of all decaying food, and comprehensive cleaning of the entire facility before any reinspection can occur. Customers who recently dined at Randy's Place and experienced illness symptoms should consult with healthcare providers, as the conditions discovered during inspection pose significant foodborne illness risks.