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Pop Pie Co. & Stella Jean’s Ice Cream at 829 Garnet Avenue was listed as “Ordered Closed” after inspectors documented several issues during a routine visit. The closure order was issued February 25 following a routine inspection, according to San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality records. Among the violations cited were a major vermin violation, minor violations involving food contact surfaces, warewashing facilities maintained out of compliance, and deficiencies related to premises and personal cleaning items, including exclusion measures.
Under county health regulations, a major vermin violation typically requires immediate closure until the issue is corrected and inspectors verify compliance. In this case, according to co-owner Steven Torres, inspectors identified what he described as “a small number of droppings” during the visit, which resulted in the Department determining the situation met its threshold for a vermin “infestation.” Later that same day, a re-inspection was conducted. Records show the follow-up visit resulted in a “Complete” status with “No Violations Found,” likely allowing the business to reopen after corrective actions were taken.
Torres addressed the situation directly in a statement to SanDiegoVille. “It’s unfortunate, but after ten years without an issue like this, it finally happened to us,” he said. He noted that the company works with licensed pest control providers across all locations and maintains a routine preventative maintenance plan. “There have been no prior records of treatment for vermin at this shop because there had been no evidence of their presence. Our pest control partner performs preventative maintenance and maintains standard traps and monitoring systems as part of ongoing support.”
Torres explained that the company sought clarification during the inspection process. “What makes situations like this difficult is that the Department’s definition of a ‘vermin infestation’ leaves very little room for nuance,” he said. “We asked for clarification and requested that our pest control records be reviewed to provide context, but the determination was made to close the shop.”
The Garnet Avenue outpost is one of several locations operated by the Sweet & Savory Collective, the hospitality group led by Steven Torres and Executive Chef Gan Suebsarakham. Founded in 2016, Pop Pie Co. built its reputation on globally inspired savory and sweet pies featuring an all-butter crust, while Stella Jean’s Ice Cream has earned a loyal following for its small-batch flavors influenced by cuisines from around the world.
The group has been in expansion mode over the past few years, recently announcing new side-by-side Pop Pie Co. and Stella Jean’s locations coming to La Mesa Village and unveiling Little While Café in North Park. The Garnet Avenue storefront represents one of the company’s busier retail corridors but also may have pest-related issues due to its proximity to the beach.
Torres acknowledged the environmental challenges of operating in a dense coastal neighborhood like Pacific Beach. “If something like this can happen to us, it can happen to any establishment, particularly in a dense coastal neighborhood like Pacific Beach where pests are part of the surrounding environment,” he said. “These issues can develop quickly and sometimes without warning.”
Restaurant closures tied to health inspections are not uncommon in San Diego County, particularly when vermin-related violations are observed. Establishments are permitted to reopen once inspectors confirm that all major violations have been corrected and the facility meets compliance standards.
Torres emphasized that the company immediately implemented corrective actions. “We make no excuses. We are a responsible restaurant group, and we take health and safety seriously,” he said. “As part of our response, we immediately conducted a full review with our pest control provider, identified and sealed potential entry points, deep cleaned the facility, and reinforced monitoring measures to ensure this does not happen again.”
He added that the company intends to continue seeking clearer regulatory guidance. “We own it, we learn from it, and we will continue working toward clarity on what specifically constitutes an ‘infestation’ so that operators have a clearer understanding of the threshold. Transparency and prevention matter to us, and we remain committed to operating responsibly.”
Restaurant closures tied to health inspections are not uncommon in San Diego County, particularly when vermin-related violations are observed. Establishments are permitted to reopen once inspectors confirm that all major violations have been corrected and the facility meets compliance standards.
Torres emphasized that the company immediately implemented corrective actions. “We make no excuses. We are a responsible restaurant group, and we take health and safety seriously,” he said. “As part of our response, we immediately conducted a full review with our pest control provider, identified and sealed potential entry points, deep cleaned the facility, and reinforced monitoring measures to ensure this does not happen again.”
He added that the company intends to continue seeking clearer regulatory guidance. “We own it, we learn from it, and we will continue working toward clarity on what specifically constitutes an ‘infestation’ so that operators have a clearer understanding of the threshold. Transparency and prevention matter to us, and we remain committed to operating responsibly.”
As of February 26, 2026, Torres confirmed Pop Pie Co. & Stella Jean’s Ice Cream had successfully passed re-inspection and is cleared to re-open.
Pop Pie Co. & Stella Jean’s Ice Cream is located at 829 Garnet Avenue in San Diego's Pacific Beach. For more information, visit poppieco.com and stellajeans.com.
Originally published on February 26, 2026.
