Papalote Mexican Restaurant Closed for Mouse Droppings Violation

Papalote, the Mexican restaurant located at 1777 Fulton Street in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district, was forced to close its doors after health inspectors discovered mouse droppings scattered along the restaurant's floors during a follow-up inspection on October 8, 2025. The closure came during what was meant to be a routine follow-up inspection conducted by inspector Zack Parsons between 4:10 PM and 5:00 PM. What inspectors found instead was evidence of a serious rodent infestation that posed immediate health risks to diners seeking authentic Mexican cuisine near the popular N-Judah transit corridor.

Critical Health Violations Discovered

During this inspection, health officials documented mouse droppings along multiple floor areas throughout the restaurant. This violation alone was enough to trigger an immediate closure under California health code Section 114259, which prohibits the presence of insects, rodents, birds, or non-service animals in food service establishments. The health implications are severe. Mice produce up to 50 droppings daily, each potentially containing dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus. For customers who may have dined at the restaurant before the closure, exposure to surfaces contaminated by rodent droppings creates risks for foodborne illness and more serious diseases. Adding to the health concerns, inspectors also discovered critical temperature violations. Pork was being stored at approximately 58°F, well above the safe storage temperature that prevents bacterial growth. The refrigeration unit was operating at 47°F, also above recommended levels for safe food storage.

Additional Sanitation Problems

Beyond the rodent infestation, the inspection revealed a pattern of poor sanitation practices throughout the facility. Inspectors cited violations for dirty non-food contact surfaces, improperly maintained equipment, and inadequate cleaning of floors and walls, particularly in areas below and behind cooking equipment. The restaurant was also found to be improperly storing wiping cloths and sanitizer solutions, using dishware instead of the required labeled red buckets for sanitizing solutions. This practice spreads bacteria across food contact surfaces and violates basic food safety protocols. Inspectors noted that unused equipment needed removal and that the grease trap required immediate cleaning. The accumulation of grease and food debris creates ideal breeding conditions for pests and serves as a bacteria reservoir.

First-Time Inspection Record

What makes this closure particularly concerning is that this appears to be the restaurant's first recorded inspection in the city database. The October 8 follow-up inspection suggests there may have been an initial inspection that identified problems, leading to this return visit that ultimately resulted in closure. The Mexican restaurant had been operating in the heart of Haight-Ashbury, an area popular with both locals and tourists exploring the historic neighborhood. Its location near Cole Valley and accessible via the N-Judah line made it a convenient dining option for many San Francisco residents.

Closure Status and Next Steps

As of the inspection date, Papalote remains closed with no immediate reopening scheduled. The restaurant must address all cited violations and pass a reinspection before being allowed to resume operations. This includes eliminating the rodent infestation, correcting temperature control issues, deep cleaning all surfaces, and implementing proper sanitation procedures. The closure serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regular pest control and maintaining proper food safety standards. For a restaurant to accumulate both rodent evidence and temperature violations simultaneously indicates systemic problems with basic food safety practices that put every customer at risk.