Castro Coffee Company Closed for Sewage & Rodent Violations

Castro Coffee Company on Castro Street has been ordered closed by San Francisco health inspectors following a failed reinspection that uncovered serious sewage disposal violations and evidence of rodent infestation throughout the popular Castro district cafe. During this inspection conducted on November 3rd at 9:22 AM, inspectors discovered 10 total violations at the cafe/bakery located at 427 Castro Street, including three critical health code breaches that posed immediate risks to public safety.

Critical Health Violations Found

The most serious violation involved improper sewage and wastewater disposal, a critical health code breach that can contaminate food preparation areas and expose customers to dangerous pathogens. Sewage contamination in food service establishments creates immediate risks of hepatitis A, norovirus, and E. coli transmission to unsuspecting customers. Inspectors also documented evidence of rodent activity throughout the facility, citing violations for insects, rodents, and other non-service animals on the premises. Mice produce up to 50 droppings daily containing Salmonella and hantavirus, while their presence indicates widespread sanitation failures that compromise food safety. The violation was marked as corrected on-site, suggesting inspectors witnessed active pest control measures during their visit. A third critical violation involved inadequate vermin proofing of the premises, with inspectors noting issues with personal and cleaning items storage that provides harborage for cockroaches and rodents. Cardboard materials can harbor cockroach egg cases, each containing 30 to 40 nymphs that can rapidly infest food preparation areas.

Additional Safety Concerns

Beyond the critical violations, health inspectors identified major problems with handwashing facilities that were either inadequately supplied or inaccessible to staff. Studies show that only 31% of food service workers wash their hands properly when supplies are inadequate, leading to widespread transmission of norovirus and other foodborne illnesses to hundreds of customers. Temperature control violations were also documented, with improper hot and cold holding temperatures that create ideal conditions for rapid bacterial growth. Temperature abuse causes 63% of foodborne illness outbreaks, as dangerous pathogens like Clostridium perfringens multiply rapidly in the temperature danger zone between 70-120°F.

Castro District Impact

The closure affects a busy section of Castro Street near the Castro St Muni station, where the cafe served as a neighborhood gathering spot for residents and visitors. The establishment's closure removes a popular option in the heart of the Castro district's dining scene.

Inspection History and Next Steps

This was Castro Coffee Company's first documented inspection in the city's database, making the severity of violations particularly concerning for a business that should have established proper sanitation protocols from opening. The reinspection failure indicates the establishment had previously been cited for violations and failed to adequately address health department concerns. Inspector Cristina Zepeda conducted the joint inspection with inspector K. Dea, documenting conditions that required immediate closure to protect public health. The cafe remains closed with no announced reopening date, as management must address all violations and pass a follow-up inspection before resuming food service operations. Customers who visited Castro Coffee Company before the closure should monitor for symptoms of foodborne illness and contact healthcare providers if they experience gastrointestinal distress.