Rinconsito Salvadoreno Closed for Rodents and Food Danger

Rinconsito Salvadoreno at 3829 Mission Street in the Mission District has been shut down by San Francisco health inspectors after a failed reinspection revealed serious violations including rodents, insects, and dangerous food storage temperatures that could have sickened customers. Inspector Cristina Zepeda closed the Salvadoran restaurant on October 27 during a 9:40 AM reinspection that lasted two hours, citing four major violations that posed immediate health risks to diners. The closure marks the second consecutive failed inspection for the establishment, following another failed reinspection on October 14.

Health Violations Found

The most serious violation involved rodents and insects found throughout the restaurant. Health inspectors documented evidence of mice and other pests in food preparation areas, a major violation that was corrected on-site but contributed to the closure decision. Mice can produce up to 50 droppings daily containing dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and viruses including hantavirus, making their presence in restaurants extremely hazardous. Inspectors also discovered improper hot and cold food holding temperatures, a critical violation that causes 63% of foodborne illness outbreaks. Foods stored at unsafe temperatures allow dangerous bacteria like Clostridium perfringens to multiply rapidly, particularly between 70-120°F. Even refrigerated foods can become contaminated when temperatures fluctuate, as Listeria can grow even at refrigeration temperatures. The restaurant near the 24th St Mission BART station also failed on building maintenance issues. Inspectors found deteriorated floors, walls, and ceilings that create ideal conditions for pest infestations. Cracks and holes in building surfaces allow rodents and insects easy entry while making proper cleaning impossible. These structural problems harbor bacteria that can contaminate food and equipment.

Pattern of Problems

The October 27 closure represents a troubling pattern for Rinconsito Salvadoreno. The previous inspection on October 14 also resulted in closure, indicating the restaurant has struggled for weeks to address serious health and safety violations. Reinspections typically occur when restaurants fail initial inspections and claim to have corrected violations. The fact that Rinconsito Salvadoreno failed two consecutive reinspections suggests systemic problems with food safety protocols and facility maintenance.

Customer Health Risks

Diners who visited Rinconsito Salvadoreno before its closure faced significant health risks. The combination of rodents, insects, and temperature violations created a perfect storm for foodborne illness. Customers could have been exposed to Salmonella, E. coli, hantavirus, and numerous other pathogens carried by pests or proliferating in improperly stored food. The structural deterioration noted in this inspection likely created unsanitary conditions throughout the restaurant. Crumbling walls and damaged floors cannot be properly sanitized, allowing bacteria to accumulate and contaminate food preparation surfaces.

Restaurant Response

The restaurant was received by manager Daysi Romero during the inspection. Inspector Cristina Zepeda can be reached at cristina.zepeda@sfdph.org for additional information about the closure. Rinconsito Salvadoreno remains closed with no reopening date announced. The restaurant must address all violations and pass a follow-up inspection before serving customers again. For a restaurant specializing in traditional Salvadoran cuisine in the vibrant Mission District dining scene, the repeated failures represent a serious blow to its reputation and operations. The closure affects diners in one of San Francisco's most popular restaurant corridors, where food safety is essential given the high volume of customers from the nearby transit hub and residential community. *Staff Reporter at SF Restaurant Inspections*