[Editor’s note: The report referenced in this article reflects conditions observed during an inspection conducted on April 22 and does not represent the establishment’s current or future status.]
The San Francisco Department of Public Health recently conducted a routine health inspection at El Tomate. During the inspection, the restaurant was cited for multiple health code violations, including a cockroach infestation and violations related to equipment cleanliness.
On April 22, the department suspended El Tomate Restaurant’s health permit and ordered the restaurant to close.
WhatNow has reached out to the restaurant for comment and will update the story upon receiving a response.
El Tomate Restaurant
When: April 22, 2026
Where: 2904 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
El Tomate is an authentic Mexican restaurant known for serving dishes such as fajitas, burritos, and mole enchiladas. According to the inspection report, the violations include the following:
- The inspection report noted several live and dead cockroaches on the cook’s line and inside the cold holding unit.
- Several live cockroaches were also trapped below the oven.
- One live cockroach was observed inside the floor sink under the prep sink.
- The inspection found dead cockroaches on the wall behind the standing cold holding unit and on the floor in the hallway.
- Food buildup was noted inside the gaskets in the prep area’s top cold holding unit.
- The gaskets were also broken.
- The report noted buildup beneath the floor sink.
- According to the report, staff must repair or replace broken equipment and thoroughly clean the facility.
For more information, a detailed inspection report is available here.
Follow-up Inspection
According to the report, the restaurant’s health permit was suspended and was shut down.
The restaurant can request a follow-up within 15 days. To pass the reinspection, the restaurant must properly clean and sanitize the entire facility.
The closed placard has been posted and must not be removed. The restaurant is also required to hire a licensed pest control service to treat the cockroach infestation. It must thoroughly clean all the food contact surfaces.
