West Portal Restaurant The Sherwood Closed for Mouse Droppings

The Sherwood restaurant in San Francisco's West Portal neighborhood has been permanently shuttered by health inspectors after a failed reinspection revealed mouse droppings scattered across the facility and outstanding permit violations that threatened immediate closure. During this inspection conducted on September 25, 2025, health department officials discovered mouse droppings on the floor near cardboard storage boxes, indicating an active rodent infestation that posed serious health risks to customers. The inspector noted that no licensed pest control service had been engaged to address the problem, leaving the restaurant vulnerable to continued contamination.

Critical Health Violations Found

The inspection revealed multiple critical violations that forced the restaurant's closure. Mice produce up to 50 droppings daily, each potentially containing dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus. The presence of rodent waste in food preparation and storage areas creates an immediate risk of foodborne illness for any customers who might have dined at the establishment. Inspectors observed the mouse droppings specifically in areas where cardboard boxes were stored, suggesting the rodents had established pathways throughout the restaurant's storage systems. The facility was ordered to clean and sanitize all affected surfaces immediately and initiate professional pest control services before any consideration of reopening.

Permit and Licensing Issues

Beyond the rodent problem, The Sherwood faced immediate closure threats due to unpaid permit fees to the SF Tax Collector's Office. While the restaurant maintained a current Health License Certificate, outstanding fees created a compliance violation that inspectors warned could result in either a Citation to an Abatement Conference or immediate closure. The inspector provided an invoice for the outstanding permit fees and demanded immediate payment with proof submitted before any reinspection could be scheduled. This administrative violation, combined with the active rodent infestation, created multiple pathways to forced closure.

Property Maintenance Concerns

The inspection also revealed property maintenance issues that may have contributed to the rodent problem. Inspectors noted overgrown vegetation behind the building, including excessive vines that needed trimming. Such landscaping problems often provide harborage areas for rodents and other pests, creating pathways into restaurant facilities.

Previous Inspection History

This closure represents the second consecutive failed inspection for The Sherwood. An earlier routine inspection on August 20, 2025 resulted in closure due to multiple violations including issues with hot and cold running water availability, pest control problems, and premise maintenance concerns. The pattern of repeated failures suggests systematic problems with the restaurant's operations and management practices. The August inspection, conducted by Inspector William Bajjalieh, had already identified pest-related issues that apparently went unaddressed, leading to the worsened conditions found during the September reinspection.

Impact on West Portal Community

The closure affects the dining landscape near the West Portal Muni station, where residents and commuters frequently seek meal options. The restaurant's location at 179 West Portal Avenue placed it in a high-traffic area popular with local families and transit users. The health department has not indicated when or if The Sherwood might be eligible for reinspection and potential reopening. The combination of active rodent infestation, unpaid permits, and property maintenance issues suggests a complex remediation process would be required before the establishment could safely serve customers again.