Financial District Cafe Fails Health Inspection with Rodents

Cafe Venue Montgomery, located at 218 Montgomery Street in San Francisco's Financial District, failed its routine health inspection on October 1, 2025, after inspectors discovered rodent droppings and multiple equipment violations that posed serious health risks to diners. The most alarming discovery during this inspection was old rodent droppings found on the floor in a corner of the dry storage room, earning the restaurant a major violation for pest control failures. This violation carries significant health implications, as mice produce up to 50 droppings daily containing dangerous pathogens like Salmonella and hantavirus.

Health Violations Found

Inspector Alyssa Manzano documented five total violations during the 75-minute inspection, including one major and four minor infractions. Beyond the rodent evidence, inspectors found torn gaskets on undercounter refrigerators at the front of house, creating potential breeding grounds for bacteria that could contaminate food and beverages served to customers. The restaurant also faced violations for plumbing issues, with a minor leak discovered at the preparation sink in the front of house that prevented hot water from shutting off completely. This type of plumbing problem can lead to cross-contamination and makes proper handwashing procedures difficult to maintain. Additional maintenance problems included dust accumulation on walls in the preparation kitchen and grease buildup on floors underneath cooking equipment. These conditions create unsanitary environments where harmful bacteria can thrive and potentially contaminate food prepared for Financial District workers and visitors.

Equipment and Safety Concerns

The inspection revealed that the hand sink in the back preparation kitchen was missing paper towels and had a non-functioning soap dispenser, critical violations that were corrected on-site when the person in charge, Norma Veronica Ceja Hidalgo, provided paper towels and repaired the dispenser. Located near the Montgomery Street BART station, the restaurant serves the busy Financial District lunch crowd, making these health violations particularly concerning given the high volume of customers who could have been exposed to contaminated conditions.

Previous Inspection History

This appears to be the restaurant's first recorded inspection in the city's database, making it impossible to determine whether these issues represent ongoing problems or new concerns. The lack of inspection history means regulators have no baseline to assess the restaurant's typical compliance with health codes. The restaurant was not ordered to close following the failed inspection, indicating that while the violations were serious, they did not pose immediate public health emergencies requiring closure. However, the establishment must address all cited violations and may face follow-up inspections to ensure compliance. Inspector Manzano can be reached at (415) 252-3980 or alyssa.manzano@sfdph.org for questions about the violations. The restaurant's management refused to sign the inspection report, adding two additional points to their violation total. Financial District diners should be aware that this popular lunch spot near Montgomery Street BART failed to meet basic health standards, particularly regarding pest control and equipment maintenance that could affect food safety.