Castro Chinese Restaurant Closed for Rodent Infestation

Health inspectors forced the immediate closure of Tung Sing Restaurant in Castro on November 4, 2025, after discovering a critical rodent infestation alongside widespread food safety violations during a failed reinspection. The Chinese restaurant at 4013 24th Street was shuttered after inspectors documented extensive food grease, food accumulation, and debris throughout the floors and walls, particularly under the cook line where food preparation occurs.

Critical Health Violations Discovered

The most serious violation cited was the presence of mice activity throughout the restaurant, creating an immediate health hazard for customers and staff. According to this inspection, mice produce up to 50 droppings daily containing dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus, posing severe health risks to anyone consuming food prepared in the contaminated environment. Inspectors also found major violations related to handwashing facilities and temperature control. The inadequate handwashing supplies force employees to skip proper hand hygiene, with studies showing only 31% of workers wash hands properly when supplies are inadequate. This dramatically increases the spread of norovirus and other foodborne illnesses to customers. Temperature abuse violations were particularly concerning, as improper hot and cold holding temperatures cause 63% of all foodborne illness outbreaks. Dangerous bacteria like Clostridium perfringens multiply rapidly when food is held between 70-120°F, while Listeria can grow even at refrigeration temperatures.

Widespread Sanitation Failures

The inspection revealed systemic cleanliness issues beyond the rodent infestation. Food contact surfaces throughout the kitchen were found dirty and improperly sanitized, creating cross-contamination risks. Dirty cutting boards and utensils cause 76% of cross-contamination incidents, as biofilms protect dangerous bacteria from standard cleaning procedures. The pervasive food grease and debris accumulation under the cook line indicated long-term maintenance neglect. This type of environment provides ideal breeding conditions for cockroaches and other pests, which carry 33 different types of bacteria and 6 parasitic worms.

Restaurant History and Reinspection Context

This closure occurred during a reinspection, suggesting the restaurant had already failed a previous health inspection. The facility's inspection history shows this was not an isolated incident, with patterns of sanitation issues requiring repeated enforcement action. The restaurant serves the busy Castro district near Castro St Muni, where residents and tourists frequent numerous dining establishments. The closure removes a potential health hazard from this popular neighborhood dining corridor.

Health Department Response

The San Francisco Health Department ordered immediate corrective actions before the restaurant can reopen. All rodent activity must be eliminated, thorough deep cleaning completed, and proper food safety protocols reinstated. The restaurant successfully reopened on November 10, 2025, after demonstrating all major violations had been corrected. This case highlights the critical importance of regular health inspections in protecting public health. The swift closure prevented potentially hundreds of customers from exposure to dangerous pathogens and foodborne illness risks. Author: Staff Reporter at SF Restaurant Inspections