Whiz-Burger Fails with Rodent Droppings, Raw Beef Violations

A routine health inspection at Whiz-Burger on Van Ness Avenue revealed disturbing conditions that put customers at serious risk, with inspectors discovering old rodent droppings scattered throughout the Mission District restaurant and dangerous food storage violations. The December 3rd inspection, conducted jointly by health department officials, uncovered a troubling pest infestation with rodent droppings found on floors near chest freezers next to the sink, on low shelving next to canned goods along the back wall, and under the front counter on shelving near additional canned products. The extent of the rodent problem prompted immediate action requirements, with inspectors ordering the restaurant to eliminate all rodents from the facility and provide a pest control report within 48 hours.

Critical Food Safety Violations

Beyond the pest infestation, inspectors found raw beef improperly stored on shelving directly above packaged bread in the reach-in cooler, creating a serious cross-contamination risk. This violation represents a direct threat to customer health, as raw meat drippings can contaminate ready-to-eat foods below with dangerous bacteria including Salmonella and Campylobacter. The American cuisine restaurant at 700 S Van Ness Avenue also faced citations for widespread cleanliness failures throughout the facility. Inspectors documented extensive grease and residue accumulation requiring deep cleaning and degreasing of the entire cookline and facility surfaces.

Extensive Sanitation Problems

The sanitation violations at Whiz-Burger extended far beyond the kitchen, with inspectors citing dirty conditions on light switches, door handles, soap dispensers, paper towel dispensers, refrigeration equipment handles and gaskets, and the ladder leading to the restaurant's loft area. All hand contact surfaces showed concerning levels of contamination, along with equipment and floors under the cookline. Additional problem areas included shelving and surfaces under the front counter, door frames, and the griddle and cookline surfaces themselves. Inspectors specifically noted that the cookline required daily cleaning to prevent the observed buildup, suggesting ongoing maintenance failures.

Health Risks and Required Actions

The combination of rodent activity and food storage violations creates multiple pathways for foodborne illness. Mice produce approximately 50 droppings daily containing harmful bacteria and viruses, while improper food storage allows cross-contamination between raw meats and ready-to-eat items. Inspectors mandated immediate facility-wide cleaning and sanitization of all affected areas, along with structural repairs to prevent future pest entry. The restaurant must seal the back screen door with new screening and eliminate all gaps within seven days, providing photographic evidence of the repairs to health officials.

First-Time Inspection Results

This inspection represents the first recorded health department visit to Whiz-Burger, with no previous inspection history available in city records. The restaurant received a failing grade with four total violations including one critical violation for pest control, two major violations for food separation and surface cleanliness, and one minor violation. The inspection, conducted from 1:35 PM to 2:35 PM, was overseen by Principal Inspector M. Freschet and represents a concerning debut for the Van Ness Avenue establishment. Customers visiting during the period before the inspection would have potentially encountered food prepared in an environment compromised by rodent activity and inadequate sanitation practices.