Castro Vietnamese Restaurant Tanglad Closed for Rodents

A popular Vietnamese restaurant in San Francisco's Castro district has been forced to close after health inspectors discovered serious pest violations and multiple food safety infractions during a routine inspection. Tanglad, located at 469 Castro Street near the Castro St Muni station, was shut down on November 3, 2025, after inspectors found evidence of rodents and other critical health violations that posed immediate risks to public safety.

Critical Health Violations Found

During this inspection, health officials documented 14 separate violations, including one critical violation for the presence of insects, rodents, birds, or non-service animals. The discovery of pest evidence triggered an immediate closure order for the Vietnamese establishment. Inspector Cristina Zepeda also identified major violations involving employee handwashing practices and adequate handwashing facilities. These violations are particularly concerning in restaurant kitchens, where proper hand hygiene prevents the spread of dangerous pathogens including hepatitis A, norovirus, and E. coli. Studies indicate that inadequate handwashing supplies lead to only 31% of food service workers washing their hands properly. Temperature control violations were also cited, with inspectors finding improper hot and cold holding temperatures for food items. Temperature abuse accounts for 63% of foodborne illness outbreaks, as dangerous bacteria like Clostridium perfringens multiply rapidly when food is kept in the danger zone between 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Public Health Risks

The combination of rodent evidence and handwashing violations created a particularly dangerous environment for diners. Mice produce up to 50 droppings daily containing Salmonella and hantavirus, while cockroaches can carry 33 different types of bacteria and six parasitic worms. When combined with inadequate employee hygiene practices, these conditions significantly increase the risk of foodborne illness transmission. Food contact surface violations were also documented, meaning equipment used to prepare and serve food was not properly cleaned and sanitized. Dirty cutting boards and utensils are responsible for 76% of cross-contamination incidents in commercial kitchens.

Castro District Impact

The closure of Tanglad represents a significant disruption for the Castro neighborhood dining scene, where the restaurant served as a popular destination for Vietnamese cuisine. Located on busy Castro Street near public transit, the establishment regularly served both locals and tourists visiting the historic district. The restaurant is operated by Golden Dragon Pho Inc. and had been serving Vietnamese dishes including pho, banh mi, and other traditional fare. The facility can be reached at (650) 201-3435 for updates on reopening plans.

Inspection History and Reopening

Records show this was not Tanglad's first brush with health violations. Following the November 3 closure, the restaurant underwent repairs and cleaning to address all cited violations. A reinspection was conducted on November 18, 2025, which the facility passed, allowing it to reopen to the public. The successful reinspection verified compliance with all previously cited violations, including the elimination of pest evidence, proper food temperature control, adequate handwashing facilities, and proper cleaning and sanitization of food contact surfaces. Restaurant closures in San Francisco require establishments to correct all violations and pass a follow-up inspection before reopening. The city's Department of Public Health maintains strict standards to protect public health and ensure food safety compliance across all commercial food establishments. Diners can verify current inspection results and closure status through the city's online inspection database before visiting any San Francisco restaurant.