The iconic Balboa Cafe—the 112-year-old Marina District institution with ties to Governor Gavin Newsom—has been cited for serious rodent infestation and multiple health code violations following a routine inspection on January 13. The restaurant now has just one week to correct the violations, but some expressed doubt about meeting that deadline.
"It's a major rodent Infestation according to the report, and they have just a week to fix it," one exterminator told Hoodline San Francisco. "They might not be able to get it corrected in time."
Multiple Violations, Repeat Offenses
According to the inspection report from the San Francisco Department of Public Health Environmental Health Branch, inspectors found "lots of mice droppings" throughout the restaurant. Droppings were discovered on the bottom shelf of a food prep table among bulk food containers in the upstairs prep room, inside a floor storage shed at the exterior upstairs area, throughout the back alley storage room, and on the floor at the bar area. The report notes this is a repeat violation for the facility, which was previously cited for similar issues.
Beyond the rodent infestation, inspectors observed kitchen staff "constantly wiping their hands with a dry wiping rag" instead of properly washing hands. A handwash sink located by the cooking area was found to be obstructed and inaccessible. The restaurant was also cited for deteriorated white cutting boards on prep line coolers and a back alley storage room with "deteriorated and unapproved floor, wall, shelves," along with dirty floors throughout the bar area.
The PlumpJack Connection
Balboa Cafe has been part of Newsom's PlumpJack Group empire since 1995, when the then-27-year-old businessman—backed by billionaire Gordon Getty—purchased the historic saloon. According to SF Gate, Newsom sold his San Francisco business interests when he became mayor in 2004, and later placed his PlumpJack holdings in a blind trust when he became governor in 2018.
The restaurant, located at 3199 Fillmore Street, has maintained a prominent place in San Francisco's social scene for more than a century. As reported by San Francisco Chronicle, the venue has experienced a surge in popularity since the pandemic, particularly among younger crowds drawn to its famous espresso martinis and outdoor parklet.
Part of a Broader Trend
The Balboa Cafe violations come amid what appears to be a persistent rodent problem across San Francisco's restaurant scene throughout 2025. According to What Now, multiple establishments have faced temporary closures due to similar violations, including Deja Vu Pizza & Pasta in August, Little Szechuan in July, and Saap Ver Thai restaurant in May.
More recently, What Now reported that a Turkish eatery was recommended for closure just last week after inspectors found rodent droppings around food preparation equipment. What Now also documented The Tailor's Son, a Northern Italian restaurant, receiving a red placard and closure recommendation on December 1 after rodent droppings were found on front bar shelves where drink shakers and utensils were stored.
The pattern extends beyond San Francisco, with California facing heightened challenges since the state enacted its Poison-Free Wildlife Act in early 2025. As noted by Hoodline, the legislation restricts anticoagulant rodenticides, making pest control more challenging for food establishments statewide.
What Happens Next
The inspection was conducted by Inspector Amelia Castelli and received by persons in charge identified as "guillaume/danny." The facility must address all violations and request a follow-up inspection. For the rodent infestation specifically, the restaurant must eliminate all evidence of mice activity using only approved methods, thoroughly clean and sanitize all affected surfaces, and ensure the facility is properly vermin-proofed to prevent future entrance and harborage.
The restaurant's permit—held by Balboa Cafe Partnership with a certified food manager certification expiring March 31, 2026—remains active pending correction of the violations. However, with the one-week timeline and concerns about meeting the deadline, the fate of one of San Francisco's most storied establishments hangs in the balance.
The PlumpJack Group, which operates multiple San Francisco establishments including White Rabbit Bar (previously MatrixFillmore) and various wine shops, did not respond to requests for comment. Whether this high-profile venue with its gubernatorial connections can resolve these serious health violations quickly enough to avoid further enforcement action remains to be seen.
