Health Department Closes Mission Bagel Shop Katz Amid Rodent Infestation

Reliable Mission bagel and coffee shop Katz has been temporarily closed over a “severe rodent infestation” turned up during a routine inspection by the San Francisco Department of Public Health. The business at 3147 16th Street has been suspended for posing an “imminent health risk” and must address the infestation and call the DPH for a re-inspection, as is routine, before it may reopen to the public.

Katz’s closure was first reported by Mission Local; Previous health inspections of the facility showed the business at moderate risk of vermin infestation.

Known for its large winged bagel sign, Katz is a cash-only cafe and bakery that’s one of San Francisco’s precious few bagel producers. Recently, the city’s bagel landscape has begun to change, with newcomers like Wise Sons Bagel and Daily Driver shaking up the scene. Katz can rejoin the fray when it shapes up its act: Health Department inspectors write that they observed “an accumulation of rat-droppings throughout floor of front and back of facility .... [and] on shelves next to disposable cups, cup holders, bags of coffee beans, and directly on oven where oven door is located where bagels are made.”

In recent months, health inspectors have closed several other Mission District food businesses for rodent infestations. Other culprits have included grocery and sandwich shop favorite Duc Loi and brunch restaurant Mission Beach Cafe: Duc Loi has since reopened, but Mission Beach Cafe’s closure is permanent, with its owner also served eviction papers.

• ‘Severe rat infestation’ spurs temporary health department shutdown of Katz Bagels [Mission Local]