The Germs Are Coming, The Germs Are Coming!
Civil war nearly breaks out on Russian Hill in San Francisco because a guy reported seeing a pizza chef scratch his butt while cooking…
Civil war nearly breaks out on Russian Hill in San Francisco because a guy reported seeing a pizza chef scratch his butt while cooking. This played out over five days in February on NextDoor.com, which has managed to break the whole world into micro-neighborhoods and created a moderated system for acting neighbors.
(I’ve removed the links and the last names. I’m hoping I didn’t violate the user rules for NextDoor, but this is just too precious to leave it trapped inside nextdoor.com! Ron, the original poster, gets the last word, which he just contributed half an hour ago. The thread was originally titled “Handwashing Rules” and published in the “General” category in Russian Hill North, which allowed the 11 neighborhoods surrounding it to also read the post.)
Ron from Russian Hill North
Discussing the absurd current proposal by a North Carolina Senator that would eliminate mandatory after toilet hand-washing rules for food handlers, I shared a recent personal experience at one of Russian Hill’s nicer eateries:
“Restaurant employees here in ‘Progressive Town’ are required by law to wash after using the toilet. So, a few weeks ago, there I was sitting at the bar in an absolutely terrific thin crust pizza (and other healthy, fresh food) restaurant in Russian Hill, eating and watching the team in the kitchen (open view) prepare the food.
“The owner of the joint — he knows me by site — backs away from the prep table, engages in conversation while simultaneously scratching, hands well down his pants, his bare butt. Getting some relief, he returned to the prep table unwashed where he handled food.
“Not a letter-of-the-law violation, perhaps. But, I was aghast. Before I departed the place, I wrote a private note, giving him my name and phone number so he wouldn’t mistake the mild complaint/suggestion for a prank of a mischievous employee.
“It’s been weeks. No phone call. No apology. No nuttin. I still go to the place. Love the food. But, I keep a close eye on the owner. If he scratches again, I’ll be itching to scold him loudly.”
Edited on 3 Feb • Shared with Russian Hill North + 11 neighborhoods in General
Christine from Franklin Cow Hollow Day 1
Please don’t tell me this is Gioia -
Constance from East Marina Day 1
Wow. And here I had a problem with one of the food vendors at our Sunday farmers market at fort mason preparing food with gloves on then handling money and going back to food preparation without changing gloves. I commend you. I’m not sure I would be able to venture back after viewing such a disgusting display. Hopefully you will hear back from him.
Ron from Russian Hill North Day 1
I’m not naming names. They know who they are and I still eat there…attentively. And, I want that to continue sans butt scratching! In fact, I think I shall go there right now. I’m starving.
Roland from Aquatic Park — Fisherman’s Wharf Day 1
Ron, Why are you telling us this?
Ron from Russian Hill North Day 1
Have you a problem with my report, Roland?
Tina from Russian Hill North Day 1
U are a good loyal customer then I would be. That is awful. Ugh
Roland from Aquatic Park — Fisherman’s Wharf Day 1
Ron,
I asked why you’re sharing this information. Just curious, or I could guess:
1. You want to do us a service by letting your neighbors know that this kind of thing happens.
2. You want to warn us away from that particular place (probably not)
3. You want us to know that the North Carolina Senator is doing the wrong thing.
4. You want us to send emails and letters to the Senator telling him why what he’s doing is wrong.
5. You want to vent.
6. You want to tell others how—even though you saw the guy put his hands down his pants—you like the place so much you will keep on eating there.
But, I’m not sure.
Thanks.
Ron from Russian Hill North Day 1
Reporting ironic, somewhat amusing stories is not sufficient motivation? I suppose the serious result is this: restaurants in the ‘hood may remind their employees about good practices and that their customers are mindful of their actions, as they should be.
Ron from Russian Hill North Day 1
Plus, here’s a self-serving thought: I’ll bet the owner of that joint reads my report, recognizes himself and remembers the note he received but never responded to. Maybe it will earn me a free slice or two: the food is first rate, I tell you. Thankfully it is HOT as well <wink>.
Hope from Eastern Cow Hollow Day 2
Utterly disgusting and, thankfully, not typical. As a former restaurant manager, hand washing/personal hygiene is the top priority, not only for food handlers but for everyone!
Christine from Franklin Cow Hollow Day 2
Ron, I appreciate that you think you’re being cute and/or clever here, but this is a public health violation and safety concern. They should be reported and I have no idea why you would bother with this and not reference the establishment by name (nor do I understand why you would continue to eat there). It’s a waste if people’s time.
Ron from Russian Hill North Day 2
Am I being cute or clever here, Christine CH? I don’t think so. Noodgy, perhaps! Can you really read my mind? I am fully aware that what I witnessed was a public health violation. I am fully aware that what I witnessed was a public health violation. I also realize that if I were to name names it might destroy someone’s business and cost people their jobs. I am also pretty sure that the culprit will be made aware of the matter and will see to it that it never ever happens again. If it does — and I witness it — I will indeed name names and cease dining there. Incidentally, I frequent the joint at least ten or so times each month. So far, no new scratching.
Tina from Russian Hill North Day 2
Ron don’t listen to these peeps. I for one thank you very much for letting us know,
Christine from Franklin Cow Hollow Day 2
Don’t listen to who? All I’m saying is why alert hundreds of neighbors to a serious public health violation that has been acknowledged yet gone unaddressed and unremedied, yet not cite the establishment so we can avoid it should we choose to? Is protecting the offender more important than protecting hundreds of innocent people who might be sickened? It’s stupid. And I take issue with the cutesy attempt at trying (unsuccessfully) to be clever, or noodgy, or whatever descriptive you choose when this is a serious issue. I find the original post and his follow ups annoying, obnoxious and pointless. He’s hoping the owner sees this post and gives him a free hot slice in thanks for not exposing him? Whatever.
Ron from Russian Hill North Day 2
Christine, you assume way too much. To protect you from further harm, I suggest you give up pizza altogether. Or, in the interest of self preservation, never, ever venture again into Russian Hill. And, then you need to develop a sense of humor. The issue is being addressed in a productive way, honest! No fooling.
Elizabeth from Washington Park North Beach Day 2
Ignore him. He’s bored.
This website is to help your neighbors as a community — to better your neighborhood. Telling us, your neighbors (or maybe we’re not. WHO KNOWS) who care about the neighborhood — that SOME guy touched his butt in SOME neighborhood, at SOME establishment, once upon a time, etc.. does none of us any good.
Sohail from Russian Hill North Day 2
I agree with Christine and Elizabeth. I would not eat in that establishment and not knowing which it is, what’s the benefit of knowing? And why would the owner change his behaviour if he’s not even exposed for being gross in a food -service environment?
Ron from Russian Hill North Day 2
Seriously? The problem will be solved. Flogging and public humiliation will not be necessary. If absolutely necessary, water-boarding!
Alexandra from East Marina Day 3
I think the description of the restaurant was sufficiently detailed to identify it if somebody wanted to figure out its name. What I don’t understand is why you continue to eat there.
And what makes you think that the owner is a member of NextDoor?
And frankly any restaurant that only makes its employees wash their hands after using the bathroom because it’s the law, is not a restaurant I would want to patronize.
Alexandra from East Marina Day 3
And while we’re on the topic of hygiene just think for a minute. What is most likely the dirtiest thing in a public restroom? I would argue, the inside door handle. Everybody touches it on the way out, and not everybody washes his/her hands; it probably has the highest accumulation of yucky stuff on it = that is, of the things we are likely to touch with our hands while we’re in there. So what is the point of washing your hands if the next thing you touch is filthy? I always use a paper towel or piece of toilet paper to open the door after I wash my hands. I also assume that almost nobody else does that, including restaurant employees. So I rely on (a) convenient amnesia and (b) a healthy immune system, in order to enjoy eating in restaurants!
Hope from Eastern Cow Hollow Day 3
Two words: E.Coli.
No joke, trust me.
Whitney from Hyde Russian Hill Day 3
Well, if it helps, it’s basically impossible to get food poisoning from pizza. A food with an internal temperature of 150 F for 72 seconds kills 99.999999% of bacteria, viruses need an internal temp around 167 F. Pizza (a very thin food so the internal temp rises quickly) is cooked at 500 F for 20 minutes.
Tina from Russian Hill North Day 3
Alexandra. This is so true. We are filled with germs.
Ron from Russian Hill North Day 4
Update: Yesterday, I ate again at the unnamed restaurant and attempted to arrange a private chat with the owner. So far, he has not responded. So I just sent an email reminder that we needed to talk. Today. If he continues to stonewall — I really hope he doesn’t — I will post all the details here, naming names later today and will probably add in posts to Yelp!, Zagats etc. despite the fact that this is NOT my preferred method for handling such things. I am miffed and growing more pissed by the minute.
Constance from East Marina Day 4
I would contact the Food Safety Program pertaining to Restaurant Safety Scores. Just my input
Ron from Russian Hill North Day 4
Whew. I am happy to report that the matter has been fully resolved. CASE CLOSED. I met with the owner face-to-face today. He was mortified and deeply embarrassed. His entire staff and domestic partner had become aware of the matter, which only intensified his humiliation. His apology was genuine. His chagrin palpable. No complimentary slices. In short, it produces the best pizza I’ve found since relocating here nearly two years ago.
Susan from Russian Hill North Day 4
I am happy you resolved the issue with them without publicly humiliating them even though many of the responders wanted to for their peace of mind. And yes, after pizza has gone into the oven, any germs would be killed. Besides people are much too afraid these days of a few germs. Though I do think you should have gotten some free slices!
Richard from Russian Hill North Day 4
The health department exists because typhoid fever and hepatitis count as a lot more than “a few germs.”
Also, who do you think pulls the pizza out of the oven? Additionally, heat alone is not sufficient to kill pathogens.
Christine from Franklin Cow Hollow Day 4
Ron you are a truly annoying individual.
Susan from Russian Hill North Day 4
Christine CH, I find your name calling annoying, just because Ron didn’t do what you wanted him to do which was to “out” the restaurant. Because he exercised caution when you would have him throw it to the wind. Get over it, move on and don’t eat pizza in Russian Hill. Shouldn’t be that difficult.
Alexandra from East Marina Day 4
Oh great. So there are three pizza places on Russian Hill, two of them innocent, let’s boycott them all? An unintended consequence of not naming the guilty one.
Ron from Russian Hill North Day 5
I’ve never counted, but I can think of quite a few more than three..
Susan from Russian Hill North Day 5
Another reason no one has to worry about it, and can eat their pizza in peace in Russian Hill, is that Ron was able to talk to the owner Chef and problem solved. I am sure he will never do it again and it won’t happen again… At least not at that pizzeria. The event happened in the past and there shouldn’t be any reason to boycott any pizzeria in RH. If you are at all worried about the potential for germs and things like this happening, then you probably shouldn’t eat out. Ever.
Alexandra from East Marina Day 5
Sorry, but I would NOT eat at that pizzeria, EVER. An owner who puts his hands down his pants and scratches his butt in full view of customers, then handles food, is clueless. That restaurant does not have a culture of cleanliness, and one “talking to” from a customer is not going to change that.
Ron from Russian Hill North Day 5
If one talking to by a customer doesn’t work (actually it was four if you count the original handwritten note, the follow-up business card the request to talk, followed by a detailed email reminder, then a long face-to-face meeting), I have a feeling the abuse he suffered from his partner may have done the trick. In any event, if you’re still full of self-righteous indignation, there’s a simple solution. Abstain from pizza altogether or avoid Russian Hill like the plague.