Big Bite Burger Closed for Rodent Droppings & Grease

Big Bite Burger on 24th Street in San Francisco's Mission District has been forced to close after health inspectors discovered rodent droppings in the restaurant's storage area and dangerous grease buildup in cooking equipment during a routine inspection on November 4, 2025. The restaurant at 3392 24th Street, just steps from the 24th St Mission BART station, failed its health inspection with three violations, including one critical violation that posed immediate health risks to customers. Inspector Tiombe Wiley from the San Francisco Department of Public Health ordered the establishment to remain closed pending corrective actions.

Health Violations Found

The most serious violation discovered during this inspection involved rodent activity in the restaurant's back storage area. Health inspectors found rodent droppings scattered on the flooring near the dunnage rack, indicating an active pest problem that could contaminate food supplies and cooking surfaces. "The droppings appear to be old," noted the inspector's report, suggesting the rodent infestation had been ongoing without proper remediation. Rodent droppings carry dangerous pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and Hantavirus, which can cause severe foodborne illnesses ranging from gastroenteritis to potentially fatal complications. The restaurant also faced equipment violations involving the deep fryer, where inspectors observed "an accumulation of charred grease on the inside of the deep fryer cabinet." This equipment issue was cited twice in the inspection report, indicating the severity of the grease buildup that could lead to fires and food contamination.

Inspection Details

The inspection took place between 12:00 PM and 12:45 PM on November 4, revealing violations of California Retail Food Code sections including premises cleanliness and equipment maintenance standards. The restaurant received by employee Moises during the inspection process. Charred grease accumulation in cooking equipment creates multiple health hazards for customers. The buildup can harbor harmful bacteria, produce toxic compounds when heated, and create fire risks that endanger both staff and patrons. When grease breaks down at high temperatures, it can release carcinogenic compounds that contaminate food prepared in the equipment. The combination of pest activity and equipment maintenance failures painted a concerning picture of the restaurant's operational standards. Rodents can spread disease through direct contamination of food surfaces, utensils, and storage areas, while also leaving behind fur, urine, and fecal matter throughout the facility.

Restaurant History and Neighborhood Impact

This marks the first recorded inspection for Big Bite Burger since opening, with no previous inspection history available in city records. The closure affects dining options in the busy Mission District corridor near 24th Street, where the restaurant served the local community and BART commuters. The restaurant's owner, Moises Castanon Velasquez, can be reached at (415) 374-1416 regarding the closure and required corrective actions. The establishment must address all violations and pass a reinspection before being permitted to reopen for business. San Francisco health officials require restaurants to maintain pest-free environments and properly maintained cooking equipment to protect public health. The combination of rodent activity and equipment failures at Big Bite Burger represents serious breaches of food safety standards that could have exposed customers to dangerous pathogens and contaminants. The restaurant remains closed with no reopening date announced, as management must complete extensive cleaning, pest control measures, and equipment repairs before health officials will consider allowing operations to resume.