According to county records, the Mr. Moto Pizza location at 1180 Rosecrans Street in Point Loma was ordered closed on May 22 after inspectors documented a major vermin violation during a routine inspection. In addition to the major vermin violation, inspectors also cited minor holding temperature violations and noted the premises, personal items, cleaning items, and exclusion measures were “out of compliance.” No inspection score or letter grade was issued in connection with the closure.
The temporary shutdown marks a notable setback for the San Diego-born pizza brand, which has spent the past decade expanding throughout Southern California while building a strong local following for its New York-style pizza and late-night slice-shop appeal.
Founded by Gibran “Mr. Moto” Fernandez in Pacific Beach in 2015, Mr. Moto Pizza House grew rapidly across San Diego County during the late 2010s and early 2020s, at one point operating locations in neighborhoods including Ocean Beach, Encinitas, Convoy, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Point Loma, North Park, and beyond.
More recently, the company has shifted toward a smaller and more deliberate operational footprint after several closures and restructurings. Earlier this year, SanDiegoVille reported that Mr. Moto was preparing a return to the La Jolla area through a new University City location at Renaissance Towne Center.
County inspection records show the Point Loma restaurant had largely maintained strong inspection grades in recent years despite occasional minor violations. During a routine inspection on April 10, 2025, the restaurant received a score of 95 and an “A” grade despite inspectors noting minor handwashing, holding temperature, and equipment storage violations. Earlier inspections in 2024 and 2023 also resulted in “A” grades with only limited minor violations documented.
The closure arrives amid a continued wave of temporary restaurant shutdowns across San Diego County tied largely to vermin-related violations and sanitation issues. In recent months alone, many restaurants throughout downtown San Diego, Pacific Beach, and other high-density commercial corridors have been temporarily shuttered following county inspections documenting major vermin activity.
SanDiegoVille has previously explored several potential factors that restaurant operators and pest-control professionals believe may be contributing to the apparent rise in vermin-related closures, including aging infrastructure, increased commercial vacancies, environmental conditions, dense urban development, composting regulations, and California’s restrictions on certain rodenticides under the Poison-Free Wildlife Act.
Importantly, county inspection reports themselves provide only limited public detail regarding the exact nature or severity of “major vermin” findings. Under county policy, a broad range of evidence involving rodents, insects, or other vermin can trigger an immediate closure until corrective actions are completed and verified through follow-up inspection.
Restaurants ordered closed are generally permitted to reopen once inspectors confirm compliance and corrective measures have been completed. As of publication, it remains unclear whether the Point Loma Mr. Moto Pizza location has reopened.
Originally published on May 25, 2026.
