Mahalo!, the popular cafe located at 1376 9th Avenue in San Francisco's Excelsior district, received a conditional pass during a routine health inspection on November 18, 2025. While the establishment can continue serving customers, inspectors identified several minor violations that require prompt attention before the facility can achieve a full passing grade.
The primary concern discovered during this inspection involved evidence of rodent activity in non-food preparation areas. Health inspectors found rat droppings underneath both 2-door upright coolers located in the back area and scullery section of the restaurant. Importantly, no droppings were observed in the kitchen or food preparation areas where meals are actively prepared, limiting the immediate risk to food safety.
Administrative and Maintenance Issues
Beyond the rodent evidence, inspectors noted that food handler cards for all employees could not be verified at the time of the inspection. This administrative violation represents a significant compliance issue, as California food safety regulations require all food service workers to maintain current certification demonstrating their understanding of proper food handling procedures. Additionally, the kitchen floor underneath the cookline was found to require thorough cleaning, indicating a need for enhanced maintenance protocols in high-traffic food preparation areas.Health Department Response
The San Francisco Department of Public Health has provided specific guidance for addressing each violation. For the rodent issue, inspectors instructed the cafe to clean and sanitize all affected areas using a chlorine solution at 100 parts per million concentration. This professional-grade sanitization approach ensures elimination of any potential contamination while preventing future pest activity. The cafe management must also produce valid food handler cards for all staff members during the required reinspection. These certifications demonstrate that employees understand critical food safety principles including temperature control, contamination prevention, and proper hygiene practices.Restaurant Operations Continue
Despite the conditional status, Mahalo! remains open for business and continues serving customers in the Excelsior neighborhood. The conditional pass designation allows restaurants to operate while addressing minor violations, provided they do not pose immediate health risks to diners. The establishment's location near Balboa Park BART makes it a convenient stop for commuters and local residents seeking quality cafe fare.Follow-Up Inspection Success
The restaurant's commitment to addressing these issues became evident during a reinspection conducted on November 25, 2025. During this follow-up visit, inspectors confirmed that all violations from the routine inspection had been corrected. No evidence of vermin activity was observed, floors were thoroughly cleaned, and food handler cards were provided for all staff members. This successful correction of all identified issues demonstrates Mahalo!'s dedication to maintaining high food safety standards and regulatory compliance. The facility now operates with a full passing grade, providing customers with confidence in the establishment's commitment to health and safety protocols. The November inspection cycle highlights the importance of regular health department oversight in maintaining San Francisco's restaurant safety standards while supporting local businesses in achieving full compliance with food service regulations.📍 Related Information
| Restaurant Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | MAHALO! |
| Address | 1376 9TH AVE |
| District | Excelsior |
| Cuisine | Cafe |
| Inspection Date | November 18, 2025 |
| Inspection Type | Routine Inspection |