[Editor’s note: The report mentioned here is from an inspection conducted on December 8 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishment.]
The San Francisco health department carried out a routine check at The Spice Jar on December 8. The restaurant was cited for several health code violations, including grease buildup, dust, and improper food temperatures.
The Spice Jar
- When: December 8, 2025
- Where: 2500 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94110
The Spice Jar is a casual bistro serving Californian Asian fare in a country-chic space. According to the inspection report, the restaurant was cited for several violations that led to its closure. The violations included:
- The report said inspectors found several bags of cooked noodles held at 54°F without temperature control. The operator stated they had been removed from refrigeration about 20 minutes earlier and would be used as orders came in.
- According to the report, rodent droppings were found throughout the facility, including on a cutting board at the prep sink, along the prep sink, below the rice cooker, on counters used for clean bowls, inside the mechanical dishwasher, and on floors along the kitchen wall.
- More droppings were found beneath the cook’s line, inside shelving behind the host desk, on basement floors, on lids of bulk containers, on top of large cans, and on shelf lining in the basement.
- According to the report, several handles throughout the kitchen were sticky and oily, the microwave was heavily soiled, and shelving inside the walk-in cooler had a white, mold-like growth.
- The shelf liner inside the walk-in also showed black staining. The report said all such surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, and in some cases discarded.
- A nonfunctional light in the walk-in refrigerator was documented, and the facility was instructed to repair it.
- The report pointed to a heavy buildup of grease and food debris on the floor beneath the cook’s line.
The detailed report is available here.
Follow-up Inspection
As per the official report, the establishment is expected to correct all the violations, including removing all rodent evidence, cleaning and sanitizing affected areas, disposing of any contaminated food, hiring a licensed pest control operator, and sealing all structural entry points, before requesting a reinspection.
