SF Mission Restaurant Fails with Cross-Contamination, Gnats

Bottega, a restaurant located at 1132 Valencia Street in San Francisco's Mission district, failed a routine health inspection on September 24, 2025, with inspectors uncovering dangerous cross-contamination practices and a significant gnat infestation throughout the kitchen areas. The most alarming violation discovered during this inspection involved frozen prepackaged shrimp thawing in direct contact with prepackaged pork sausage in the same container. Inspector Tiombe Wiley observed the sausage package sitting in the juices of the raw shrimp, creating a textbook example of cross-contamination that puts customers at serious risk for foodborne illnesses including Salmonella and Campylobacter.

Health Violations Found

The inspection revealed four total violations, with two classified as critical. Beyond the dangerous protein mixing, inspectors found a "number of gnats" swarming the kitchen area and upstairs storage closet around a crushed box of pineapple juice. The flies and gnats indicate poor sanitation conditions and potential food spoilage that could expose diners to harmful bacteria. The restaurant also received a repeat violation for improper refuse disposal and area maintenance. Inspectors documented "heavy accumulation of clutter and unusable items stored underneath the stair case, along the wall and right outside of the door in the garbage area." Health officials noted these conditions are "perfect for harboring vermin and creating a nuisance for the neighboring units." A fourth violation cited the establishment for failing to maintain clean non-food contact surfaces, specifically noting that the fan guard in the walk-in refrigerator required routine cleaning.

Inspection Details

The inspection took place from 12:20 PM to 1:55 PM on September 24, revealing systematic food safety failures that put customers at risk. The cross-contamination violation is particularly concerning because raw seafood carries different pathogens than pork products, and when their juices mix, the risk of severe foodborne illness increases dramatically. The gnat infestation suggests underlying sanitation issues, as these insects are typically attracted to rotting organic matter and poor drainage. The crushed pineapple juice container mentioned in the report indicates food storage problems that create breeding grounds for pests.

Restaurant History

This represents the first recorded inspection for Bottega in the city's database, making it impossible to determine if these violations represent ongoing issues or isolated incidents. The restaurant operates near the 24th St Mission BART station, serving the busy Valencia Street corridor frequented by both locals and tourists.

Required Corrections

The restaurant must remove all clutter from the garbage area within 45 days by November 3, 2025. Management was instructed to fully separate potentially hazardous proteins and store them in separate containers to prevent cross-contamination. Staff must also clean all flooring and floor drains while continuing to work with pest control services to address the gnat problem. The establishment was not ordered to close despite the critical violations, allowing it to continue serving customers while addressing the cited issues. However, customers dining during the inspection period were potentially exposed to dangerous cross-contamination and unsanitary conditions involving pest infestation. For diners in the Mission district, this inspection serves as a reminder to observe restaurant cleanliness when dining out and report any concerning conditions to health authorities.