SF Pizza Restaurant Fails Inspection with Rodent Droppings

Health inspectors discovered serious violations at Mr. Pizza Man on 22nd Street in the Mission District during a routine inspection on October 15, 2025, including multiple rodent violations and dangerous temperature abuse of potentially hazardous foods.

Inspection Details

The pizza restaurant at 2680 22nd Street failed this inspection with 14 total violations, including four major infractions that posed immediate health risks to customers. Inspector Cristina Zepeda conducted the inspection from 2:15 PM to 3:45 PM, documenting conditions that violated multiple sections of the California Retail Food Code. The most serious violations involved pest infestations, with inspectors citing the restaurant twice for the presence of insects, rodents, birds, or non-service animals. According to health department guidelines, mice produce 50 droppings daily containing Salmonella and hantavirus, while cockroaches carry 33 bacteria types and 6 parasitic worms. Rats can spread plague and leptospirosis, making these violations particularly dangerous for public health.

Health Violations Found

Temperature violations posed another significant risk, with inspectors finding improper hot and cold holding temperatures for potentially hazardous foods. While this violation was corrected on-site, temperature abuse causes 63% of foodborne outbreaks according to health officials. Dangerous bacteria like Clostridium perfringens multiply rapidly between 70-120°F, while Listeria can grow even at refrigeration temperatures. The restaurant also faced violations for toxic substances not being properly identified, stored, and used, along with multiple citations for unclean non-food contact surfaces. Dirty surfaces harbor pests and serve as bacteria reservoirs, with accumulated grease and food debris attracting cockroaches and rodents.

Previous Inspection History

This failure marked a troubling pattern for the Mission District establishment. Just weeks later, on November 5, 2025, Mr. Pizza Man underwent a reinspection that resulted in closure by the health department after inspectors found additional violations during the follow-up visit. The restaurant's location near the 24th St Mission BART station makes it a popular dining option for commuters and local residents. The failure raises concerns about food safety practices at an establishment serving customers in one of San Francisco's busiest neighborhoods.

Health Implications

The combination of rodent activity and temperature violations created multiple pathways for foodborne illness transmission. Customers who dined at the restaurant during the period leading up to the inspection may have been exposed to contaminated food surfaces and improperly stored ingredients. The California Retail Food Code violations cited included sections 114259 for pest control, 113996 and 114037 for temperature control, and 114115 and 114117 for surface cleanliness. These regulations exist to prevent the spread of foodborne pathogens that can cause serious illness. Mr. Pizza Man can be reached at (415) 920-0260 for customers with concerns about recent visits. The restaurant must address all violations and pass reinspection before resuming normal operations, though the November closure indicates ongoing compliance issues that required immediate intervention by health officials.