SF North Beach Restaurant Closed for Rodent-Chewed Food

The San Francisco Health Department has ordered the immediate closure of Wan Hua Co in North Beach after discovering bags of herbs that had been chewed by rodents and were in direct contact with rodent feces during a reinspection on October 8, 2025. The shocking violations uncovered during this inspection at 665 Jackson Street paint a disturbing picture of what customers may have unknowingly encountered. Inspector Michael Mooney documented extensive evidence of an active rodent infestation throughout the facility, including the discovery of rodent-damaged dry herbs in the basement, fresh rodent droppings on bags of herbs, and the sound of rodents moving and squeezing within the building's walls.

Inspection Details

The reinspection revealed a facility so cluttered that portions were completely inaccessible to inspectors, preventing proper cleaning and pest monitoring. Health officials found rodent feces scattered throughout multiple areas of the restaurant, including the basement, main shop floor, front doorway, and on shelves containing dry herbs used in food preparation. Perhaps most alarming for public health, inspectors discovered that the restaurant had been illegally serving customers despite having its permit suspended following a September 29 routine inspection. The facility's owner admitted to continuing operations even after being ordered to cease business activities. The inspection also revealed inadequate hot water temperature in the restroom, reaching only 97 degrees Fahrenheit when regulations require at least 100 degrees for proper sanitation. Food storage violations included boxes of herbs stored directly on the floor, violating the six-inch minimum clearance requirement designed to prevent contamination and pest access.

Health Violations Found

The contaminated herbs represent a serious health risk to customers, as rodents can carry dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus. Mice typically produce 50 droppings daily, each containing potential disease-causing bacteria. The presence of rodent-damaged food items in direct contact with feces creates multiple pathways for foodborne illness transmission. Inspector Mooney noted severe damage to floors and walls, along with heavy grime buildup throughout the facility. The establishment's makeshift rodent-proofing efforts, including a piece of cardboard placed over a broken vent screen, were deemed completely inadequate by health officials. The facility's clutter problem extended beyond aesthetic concerns, as it prevented proper sanitation and made it impossible for staff to monitor for pest activity effectively. Health officials documented that the accumulated debris and disorganization created ideal harborage conditions for rodents to establish nests and breeding areas.

Previous Inspection History

This marks the first recorded inspection for Wan Hua Co in the city's database, making the severity of violations particularly concerning. The restaurant's location near the Powell-Mason Cable Car line in the heart of North Beach's dining district raises questions about how such conditions could develop without earlier detection. The facility owner has been ordered to appear at an abatement conference hearing and received a citation. Inspector Mooney's detailed report emphasizes that the restaurant cannot reopen until it undergoes professional pest control treatment, complete decluttering, thorough cleaning with 10% bleach solution, and passes a follow-up inspection. The closure notice specifically requires the establishment to remove all rodent-damaged food, implement proper rodent-proofing using approved materials like quarter-inch galvanized steel wire mesh, and address the structural damage that allowed the infestation to flourish. Until these extensive remediation efforts are completed and verified by health officials, Wan Hua Co must remain closed to protect public health.