Martha & Bros Coffee Closed After Rodent Infestation Found

Health inspectors closed Martha & Bros Coffee Co in Glen Park on November 4, 2025, after discovering a rodent infestation and multiple critical health violations during a follow-up inspection. The cafe at 1551 Church Street, located near the Glen Park BART station, was shuttered immediately when inspectors found 13 total violations including evidence of mice activity and dangerous food handling practices. The most serious violation involved the discovery of rodent activity at the popular neighborhood cafe. Health inspectors documented the presence of rodents and ordered immediate corrective action, noting that "seal the hole with approved material. Do not use spray foam" was required to address the pest intrusion points. This critical violation poses severe health risks to customers, as mice can produce up to 50 droppings daily containing dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus.

Multiple Critical Health Violations

Beyond the rodent infestation, this inspection revealed a cascade of food safety failures that put customers at serious risk. Inspectors found major violations related to handwashing procedures, with employees failing to properly clean their hands and use gloves correctly. The violation was marked as "corrected on site," indicating the severity required immediate attention during the inspection. Food temperature violations were also discovered, with items not being held at proper hot and cold temperatures. This major violation creates ideal conditions for bacterial growth, particularly dangerous pathogens like Clostridium perfringens that multiply rapidly in the temperature danger zone. Studies show that temperature abuse causes 63% of foodborne illness outbreaks. The inspection also revealed inadequate handwashing facilities, meaning employees lacked proper access to supplies needed for basic hygiene. Research demonstrates that only 31% of food service workers wash their hands properly when adequate facilities and supplies are not available, creating a direct pathway for contamination.

Pattern of Violations Emerges

This closure represents a concerning pattern for the Glen Park establishment. The November 4 inspection was conducted as a follow-up to previous violations, indicating ongoing compliance issues. Inspector Cristina Zepeda documented the 13 violations during the morning inspection from 9:20 AM to 12:00 PM. The facility's inspection history shows a subsequent reinspection on November 17 where most violations were corrected, though issues remained with food safety manager certification and employee food handler cards. The November inspection also noted problems with empanada temperatures, suggesting ongoing challenges with proper food handling protocols.

Community Impact and Health Risks

For customers who visited Martha & Bros Coffee Co before the closure, the violations present serious health concerns. Rodent contamination can spread multiple diseases through droppings, urine, and direct contact with food surfaces. Combined with the handwashing violations and temperature abuse, patrons may have been exposed to dangerous bacteria including E. coli, Salmonella, and norovirus. The closure particularly impacts the Glen Park neighborhood, where the cafe served as a local gathering spot near the BART station. The facility remains closed with no confirmed reopening date, pending correction of all violations and approval from the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Owner Jaime J. Guerrero could not be reached for comment regarding the timeline for addressing the health violations and potential reopening plans.