Bowl'd Acai Closed for Rodent Droppings in Food Storage Areas

Bowl'd Acai in San Francisco's Financial District has been closed by health inspectors after discovering old rodent droppings scattered throughout food storage areas during a failed reinspection on September 30, 2025. The popular acai shop at 155 Montgomery Street, located near the Montgomery St BART station, was shuttered when inspectors found evidence of a serious rodent infestation that posed significant health risks to customers. During this inspection, health officials discovered old rodent droppings on shelves in the upstairs dry storage room and on the floor underneath the three-compartment sink where dishes are washed.

Health Violations Found

The inspection revealed critical violations that forced immediate closure of the establishment. Inspectors cited the restaurant for failing to maintain a pest-free environment, a violation that carries serious health implications for customers. Mice produce up to 50 droppings daily that can contain dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus, while rats can spread plague and leptospirosis through their waste. While no food contamination was directly observed during the inspection, the presence of rodent droppings in food storage areas represents a significant health hazard. The inspector ordered the restaurant to immediately clean and sanitize all affected areas and obtain additional services from a licensed pest control company. The restaurant was also cited for serving raw tuna without proper consumer advisory warnings, compounding the health safety concerns. This violation involves offering potentially dangerous raw fish products without informing customers of the associated risks of foodborne illness.

Required Remediation

Health officials have mandated extensive corrective measures before the restaurant can reopen. The establishment must seal all holes, openings, and gaps that allowed rodents to enter the facility. Specific requirements include installing a door sweep to the upstairs dry storage room and sealing holes along the wall and floor in the stairwell. The inspector, who must be contacted at Alyssa.Manzano@sfdph.org with pest control reports, has scheduled a follow-up reinspection that cannot occur before September 23, 2025. The restaurant must demonstrate full compliance with all pest control requirements and show evidence of professional pest management services before being allowed to resume operations.

Previous Inspection History

This closure marks the second consecutive failed inspection for Bowl'd Acai. The restaurant initially failed a routine inspection on September 16, 2025, which also resulted in closure due to multiple violations including inadequate handwashing facilities, improper consumer advisories, and pest control issues. The pattern of repeated failures raises serious questions about the establishment's commitment to food safety standards. For a restaurant located in the heart of the Financial District, where office workers rely on quick, safe meal options, these violations represent a significant breach of public trust. The closure impacts the busy Montgomery Street corridor, where the restaurant served acai bowls and health-focused menu items to the downtown business community. Until the restaurant addresses all health violations and passes reinspection, customers seeking healthy breakfast and lunch options near Montgomery St BART will need to find alternative dining establishments. Staff Reporter at SF Restaurant Inspections