SF Marina Sushi Restaurant Closed for Rodent Infestation

Marina Sushi Bar in San Francisco's Marina district was forced to close its doors after health inspectors discovered evidence of rodent activity throughout the kitchen during a routine inspection on October 27, 2025. The Japanese restaurant at 2020 Lombard Street near the 30 Stockton bus line failed its inspection with four major violations that posed immediate health risks to customers. The most serious violation uncovered during this inspection involved clear evidence of rodent infestation in critical food preparation areas. Inspector Michael Mooney documented "slight evidence of rodent activity observed bending shelves in sushi bar area, in corners of kitchen and under cook line." This discovery is particularly alarming given that mice produce up to 50 droppings daily containing dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus.

Critical Health Violations Found

Beyond the rodent problem, inspectors identified multiple food safety failures that created a perfect storm of health hazards. Staff were observed putting on gloves without first washing their hands, a basic sanitation violation that can spread dangerous bacteria from contaminated surfaces directly to food. When confronted, employees claimed they typically used the three-basin dish sink for handwashing instead of the designated hand-washing station. The restaurant also lacked proper sanitizing procedures, with no sanitizer bucket set up at the time of inspection. Inspectors found an old sanitizer bucket from the previous day still sitting in the kitchen, indicating a pattern of neglect in basic food safety protocols. This violation is particularly concerning in a sushi restaurant where raw fish requires the highest sanitation standards. Adding to the list of violations, Marina Sushi Bar failed to provide required consumer advisories warning customers about the risks of consuming raw or undercooked foods. This omission left diners unaware of potential health risks associated with eating raw fish, especially in an establishment with documented sanitation problems.

Inspection Details

The inspection, conducted by Inspector Michael Mooney between 5:00 PM and 5:55 PM, revealed a facility struggling with basic food safety compliance. The person in charge, identified as Junze Zheng, refused to sign the inspection report, suggesting possible disagreement with the findings or unwillingness to acknowledge the violations. While some equipment was functioning properly, with refrigeration units maintaining temperatures below 41°F and the ware wash machine reaching 120°F, these positive elements were overshadowed by the serious sanitation failures. The inspector noted that the main central refrigerator was turned off during the visit, raising additional concerns about food storage practices.

Restaurant History and Impact

This marks the first recorded inspection for Marina Sushi Bar, making the closure particularly significant as it suggests systemic problems rather than isolated incidents. The restaurant's location in the Marina district, a popular dining destination near Lombard Street, makes this closure noteworthy for both residents and tourists who frequent the area. The combination of rodent activity, improper handwashing, inadequate sanitizing procedures, and missing consumer advisories created conditions that could have exposed customers to serious foodborne illnesses. Health officials have required the restaurant to work with licensed pest control services, clean and sanitize all affected areas, and implement rodent-proofing measures using approved materials like galvanized steel wire mesh. The closure serves as a stark reminder of the importance of consistent food safety practices, particularly in establishments serving raw fish where the margin for error is essentially zero.