Tailor's Son Reopens After Resolving Rodent Infestation

The Tailor's Son restaurant in Pacific Heights has successfully reopened after resolving a severe rodent infestation that forced health officials to close the establishment earlier this week. The popular eatery at 2049 Fillmore Street near Fillmore bus lines passed its December 1st reinspection despite discovering new health violations.

Successful Resolution of Rodent Crisis

Health inspectors confirmed that The Tailor's Son successfully eliminated the rodent problem that had plagued the facility. During the original inspection that led to closure, officials discovered rodent droppings throughout the bar area, dry storage, and kitchen areas. The restaurant worked quickly to address the infestation, allowing for permit reinstatement and immediate reopening. The successful abatement of violation #23, the critical rodent infestation, represents a significant victory for the restaurant and demonstrates the establishment's commitment to maintaining proper health standards in the competitive Pacific Heights dining scene.

New Health Violations Discovered

While celebrating the resolution of the rodent crisis, inspectors uncovered fresh concerns during the reinspection. The most alarming discovery involved a contaminated ice machine with black and orange mold substance contaminating ice that could have been served to customers. This critical violation posed immediate health risks to patrons. Temperature violations also emerged as a serious concern. Inspectors found cooked potatoes measuring a dangerous 54°F at room temperature since 8am, creating prime conditions for bacterial growth. Ground meat registered 45°F and marinated chicken reached 46°F in a 47°F drawer cooler, both falling below safe holding temperatures. Additional cooling violations included vegetable stock soup sitting in plastic containers at 140°F for over an hour and cooked beef at 82°F that had been cooling improperly for more than two hours. These conditions create ideal environments for Clostridium perfringens, which the CDC identifies as a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Equipment and Sanitation Issues

Beyond food safety violations, inspectors documented equipment problems including a malfunctioned mechanical dishwashing machine in the front bar area. This equipment failure could compromise the restaurant's ability to properly sanitize dishes and utensils for customer use. Cleanliness violations included accumulation of dirt and debris on fan guards in the walk-in cooler, creating conditions that could harbor bacteria and attract pests back to the facility.

Health Implications for Customers

The temperature violations discovered at The Tailor's Son represent serious health risks. Food held at improper temperatures becomes a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria including Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. The contaminated ice machine could have exposed customers to mold-related health issues. Temperature abuse causes 63% of foodborne illness outbreaks according to health officials, making these violations particularly concerning for anyone who dined at the establishment before the reinspection.

Restaurant's Response and Future Operations

All five violations cited during the reinspection were corrected on-site, allowing the restaurant to maintain its reopened status. The facility's quick response to both the original rodent infestation and the newly discovered violations demonstrates management's commitment to health compliance. The restaurant's location on Fillmore Street serves the busy Pacific Heights neighborhood, making food safety compliance essential for protecting the local dining community. With the permit fully reinstated and violations addressed, The Tailor's Son can continue serving customers while maintaining the health standards required by San Francisco's Department of Public Health.