Hot Johnnies Castro Restaurant Fails with Rodent Droppings

Hot Johnnies, a restaurant located at 4077 18th Street in San Francisco's Castro district, failed a routine health inspection on October 7, 2025, after inspectors discovered rodent droppings on the outdoor patio and multiple food safety violations that posed serious health risks to diners. Inspector Katherine Tuazon found rodent droppings adjacent to a pest control bait box on the restaurant's outside patio during this inspection, indicating active rodent activity in food service areas. The inspector ordered immediate cleaning and mandated monthly pest control services to address the ongoing infestation problem.

Cross-Contamination Violations

In a major food safety violation that was corrected on-site, inspectors discovered raw eggs stored in a plastic container directly on top of raw seafood and flour mixture inside the prep cooler. This dangerous storage practice creates significant cross-contamination risks, as raw eggs can harbor Salmonella bacteria that easily transfers to other foods through drips and direct contact. The improper food storage violated California Retail Food Code sections governing food separation and protection. Raw animal products must be stored below ready-to-eat foods and other ingredients to prevent bacterial contamination that can cause severe foodborne illness outbreaks affecting hundreds of customers.

Equipment Sanitation Problems

Inspectors also cited the restaurant for gross accumulation of grease on cooking equipment surfaces, creating unsanitary conditions in the food preparation area. The restaurant received seven days to clean the grease buildup and provide photographic evidence of corrections to Inspector Tuazon at katherine.tuazon@sfdph.org. Additional grease accumulation was found underneath the cook line, further demonstrating inadequate cleaning procedures throughout the kitchen. Grease buildup provides breeding grounds for bacteria and insects while creating fire hazards in commercial kitchens.

Health Implications for Customers

The violations discovered at Hot Johnnies created multiple health risks for diners. Rodent droppings contain dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus, with mice producing up to 50 droppings daily in contaminated areas. The cross-contamination of raw eggs with seafood and flour could expose customers to Salmonella and Campylobacter bacteria, leading to severe food poisoning symptoms. The restaurant's location near the Castro St Muni station makes it a popular dining destination for both locals and visitors to the vibrant Castro neighborhood. The health violations put this foot traffic at risk during what should have been routine dining experiences.

Inspection Details

The October 7 inspection lasted from 1:15 PM to 2:20 PM and resulted in four total violations, including two major infractions related to pest control and food separation. Despite the serious violations, the restaurant was not ordered to close and continues operating while addressing the required corrections. This represents the first recorded inspection for Hot Johnnies in available health department records, making it impossible to determine if these represent ongoing issues or isolated incidents. The restaurant must demonstrate compliance with all correction requirements to avoid potential closure during follow-up inspections. The Castro district's reputation as a dining destination depends on restaurants maintaining proper food safety standards, making these violations particularly concerning for the neighborhood's culinary reputation and public health protection.