North Beach Georgian Restaurant Fails Reinspection with Mice

A North Beach Georgian restaurant failed its health reinspection this week after inspectors discovered widespread rodent contamination throughout the facility, including mouse droppings at the front counter where customers place orders. Cheeseboat, located at 1224 Grant Avenue near the Powell-Mason Cable Car line, received a failing grade during its November 21 reinspection conducted by Inspector John Wells. The 30-minute inspection revealed multiple ongoing violations despite the restaurant receiving a conditional pass just three weeks earlier for similar issues.

Rodent Infestation Persists

The most alarming discovery was the continued presence of mouse droppings scattered throughout the restaurant. Inspectors found rodent waste at the front counter where customers interact with staff, inside an inoperable walk-in cooler, and under storage shelves in the downstairs area. Dead cockroaches were also discovered stuck to glue traps, indicating an active pest problem. Health experts warn that mice produce up to 50 droppings daily, each potentially containing dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus. Cockroaches can carry 33 different types of bacteria and six parasitic worms, creating serious health risks for diners.

Temperature Violations Endanger Customers

Food safety violations compounded the pest problems. Inspectors found raw ground beef stored at a dangerous 45 degrees Fahrenheit and immediately ordered its disposal. The restaurant's cooler was operating at 52 degrees, well above the safe 41-degree maximum required by health code. Temperature abuse causes 63 percent of foodborne illness outbreaks, as harmful bacteria like Clostridium perfringens multiply rapidly when food is stored in the danger zone between 41 and 135 degrees.

Management and Sanitation Failures

The inspection revealed systemic management problems that likely contributed to the ongoing violations. Cheeseboat operates without a certified food safety manager, and most employee food handler cards were missing. The kitchen lacked soap at the handwashing sink, forcing staff to work without proper hand hygiene. Additional equipment problems included a dishwasher that wasn't dispensing sanitizer, cracked wooden plates that can harbor bacteria, and an unshielded fluorescent light above the dishwashing area. Foods were stored directly on floors in walk-in coolers, and the facility lacked a probe thermometer for checking food temperatures.

Previous Inspection History

This failed reinspection follows a pattern of violations at the Grant Avenue establishment. On October 30, Cheeseboat received a conditional pass after inspectors found mouse droppings in the front counter and downstairs storage areas, along with dead cockroaches in glue traps and temperature-abused ground beef. The restaurant's failure to address these critical violations during the three-week correction period raises serious questions about management commitment to food safety in the popular North Beach dining corridor. Despite the extensive violations, health officials did not order the restaurant to close, though Cheeseboat must address all cited problems before receiving approval to continue operations. The restaurant, owned by Cheeseboat LLC, can be reached at (650) 605-7071.