[Editor’s note: The report mentioned here is from an inspection conducted on January 15 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishment.]
The San Francisco department conducted a routine health check at El Toro Taqueria on January 15. According to the inspection report, the eatery was reported for several health violations, which led to it receiving a red placard and subsequent closure.
El Toro Taqueria
- When: January 15, 2026
- Where: 598 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
El Toro Taqueria is a Mexican restaurant known for its fish tacos and nachos. According to the inspection report, the restaurant was non-compliant with the safety code. The violations are:
- No hand soap was observed at the handwash station along the food assembly line. The soap was provided during the inspection.
- No sanitizer solution was available at food preparation or food assembly areas where food preparation was occurring for less than four hours. A sanitizer solution measuring 100 ppm was prepared, and food-contact surfaces were cleaned.
- Multiple live and dead cockroaches were found on monitoring traps in the facility, including traps located in the basement near the inoperable ice machine and two chest freezers. They were found on shelving in the food preparation room/kitchen.
- More cockroach activity was observed in the basin of the inoperable ice machine, behind chest freezers in the basement, and on shelving in the food preparation area.
- Cans of household pesticides were found on the floor under the two-compartment sink in the food preparation room/kitchen and on top of the inoperable ice machine in the basement. The report asked for an immediate discontinuation of household pesticides.
- A leak was observed from the basin of the two-compartment sink located in the food preparation room beneath the exhaust hood, requiring repair or replacement.
- Storage racks, shelving, and equipment in the food preparation room/kitchen needed deep cleaning and degreasing.
- The report said that an active burner was not fully positioned beneath the exhaust hood and did not meet the required six-inch overhang.
- Infested and inoperable equipment, including the inoperable ice machine, was identified as a harborage source and was asked to be removed from the facility.
A more detailed report is available online.
Follow-up Inspection
According to the official report, the restaurant is expected to eliminate cockroach activity, deep clean and degrease the food prep area, before the reinspection. The eatery can request a follow-up inspection from the health department after correcting all major violations.
