Castro Bistro Fails Health Inspection with Rodent Droppings

Hulu Wa Bistro in San Francisco's Castro district failed its routine health inspection on October 21, 2025, after inspectors discovered old rodent droppings, dangerous food storage practices, and multiple sanitation violations that put customers at serious risk of foodborne illness. Inspector Katherine Tuazon found a shocking scene during this inspection at the restaurant located at 3970 B 17th Street near the Castro St Muni station. The most alarming discovery was old rodent droppings found in the corner where recyclable soda tin cans are stored, creating a serious health hazard in the food preparation area.

Dangerous Food Storage Violations

The inspection revealed egregious cross-contamination risks that could have sickened dozens of customers. Inspectors found raw meat stored directly above vegetables and noodles, while eggs were stored above noodles in refrigeration units. This improper storage creates a direct pathway for dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter to contaminate ready-to-eat foods through dripping. Adding to the contamination risks, raw shrimp was discovered submerged in cold water inside a plastic container in the prep sink, violating proper thawing protocols. The restaurant was also storing uncontainerized open bags of sugar, rice, and flour on metro rack shelving without proper bulk containers or individual scoops.

Temperature and Sanitation Failures

Health inspectors cited the restaurant for improper hot and cold holding temperature violations, though this violation was corrected on site. More concerning was the complete lack of sanitation solution in both the cook line and prep area, despite the facility operating for more than an hour. This absence of proper sanitizing procedures creates ideal conditions for bacterial growth on food contact surfaces. The inspection also revealed a disturbing lack of basic handwashing facilities, with wiping cloths found inside the hand sink in the prep area and missing paper towels and liquid soap near multiple hand sinks throughout the kitchen.

Equipment and Cleanliness Issues

Inspectors documented extensive equipment issues and poor maintenance throughout the kitchen. Food debris accumulated inside hand sinks, while grease buildup covered equipment in the cook line. Water was pooling and dripping inside the prep cooler, and food stains covered refrigerator and freezer doors and handles. Most shocking was the discovery that kitchen staff were using the three-compartment sink as a prep table for chopping vegetables, completely defeating the purpose of the dishwashing station and creating additional contamination risks.

Immediate Corrective Actions Required

The restaurant received 10 total violations - three major and seven minor - resulting in a failing grade. Inspector Tuazon ordered immediate corrective actions including discontinuing use of the three-compartment sink for food prep, ensuring proper sanitation buckets are available before daily operations, and rearranging all food storage to prevent cross-contamination. The restaurant must complete extensive cleaning within seven days, including degreasing floors and equipment, cleaning areas affected by rodent droppings, and repairing the leaking prep cooler. A follow-up reinspection on November 4 resulted in a conditional pass with two remaining violations. For Castro district diners who frequent this busy restaurant near the Castro Street corridor, these violations represent a serious breach of basic food safety standards that could have resulted in widespread foodborne illness during the restaurant's continued operation.