[Editor’s note: The report mentioned here is from an inspection conducted on January 28 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishment.]
During a January 28 inspection, the San Francisco health department cited Thai House Express on Castro Street for multiple health code violations. The report cited evidence of rodent activity, and the restaurant received a temporary closure.
Thai House Express on Castro
- When: January 28, 2026
- Where: 599 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114-2511
Thai House Express on Castro is a Thai eatery located on Castro Street. According to the inspection report, the restaurant was found to be non-compliant with the food safety code. The violations were:
- Cooked rice was found left at room temperature and measured at 70°F. The staff stated that the rice had been cooked about two hours before the inspection. The rice was immediately relocated to a low-boy cooler to bring it to the proper cold-holding temperature.
- The inspection report described live rodent activity, including a rat seen along a stair ledge and inside the basement utensil storage room. Old and fresh rodent droppings were found in multiple areas, including underneath the cook line, beneath rice storage shelving near the restroom, under shelving and equipment in the basement, beneath the basement stairs, and on a plate stored in the utensil storage room.
- The report noted shredded and chewed materials near a locked door and beneath shelving in the utensil storage area, as well as chew marks on a plastic grain container lid.
- The low-temperature dishwashing machine was observed to be out of order at the time of inspection. Staff indicated they were awaiting a replacement part and were using a two-compartment sink to wash utensils.
- Rodent droppings, dust, and food debris accumulation were observed under the cook line and equipment in both the kitchen and basement areas.
A detailed report is available online.
Follow-up Inspection
According to the report, the restaurant received a red placard during the inspection and is expected to correct all the major violations to secure a green placard. With the suspension of the health permit, the report noted that the eatery can request a reinspection once it resolves the issues.
The facility has been instructed to eliminate rodent activity using approved pest control methods, eliminate all signs of infestation, and thoroughly clean and sanitize all affected areas.
