San Francisco Restaurant Faces Backlash After Image Surfaces of Raw Meat Left Outside During Heatwave

**San Francisco Restaurant Faces Backlash Over Raw Meat Incident**

A well-known burger spot in San Francisco, Hamburger Project, has found itself at the centre of a significant online debate following the emergence of a photograph showing raw meat left on the pavement outside its premises. The image, which was shared on Reddit, has since accumulated thousands of upvotes and sparked a flood of reactions about food safety and delivery practices.

The contentious photo depicted several rolls of raw meat alongside a jar of mayonnaise, seemingly discarded in front of the restaurant, which appeared to be closed at the time. The situation prompted widespread concern, with various Reddit users voicing their dismay. One commenter quipped, “Eating there is gonna land you in the Mayo Clinic,” while another pointed out, “Why? The label specifically says GROUND beef,” adding a touch of humour to the grim sight.

In response to the uproar, Hamburger Project took to Instagram to clarify the incident. The restaurant acknowledged that the raw meat had been left outside due to a delivery driver who “left the product unattended after being unable to access the restaurant—something we would never authorise or accept.” The post assured followers that upon discovering the meat, staff disposed of it immediately, as it had been “obviously compromised by being on the ground, without proper temperature control.”

Hamburger Project expressed a commitment to food safety in their statement, noting that they had already revised their delivery procedures to prevent a recurrence of such an incident. The Instagram post included a troubling exchange between the delivery driver and the restaurant, wherein the driver stated, “Hiiiiiii. I don’t have time” and claimed the order was complete, despite the alarming photograph.

Geoffrey Lee, the former head chef of Hamburger Project, also weighed in on the matter via social media. Despite his departure from the restaurant last year following a dispute with an influencer, Lee shared his disappointment over the incident. “Like many of you, I find it unacceptable,” he stated. He stressed that the situation reflected a failure in the delivery system and did not meet the high standards he endeavoured to uphold.

The conflict surrounding Lee is not new, as he faced criticism in 2025 after a popular influencer, Kat Ensign, reviewed Hamburger Project on TikTok. Ensign had described their burger as “good not great,” leading to a contentious response from Lee. In a now-infamous reply, he chided her for trying to influence younger audiences and made disparaging remarks about the review process, which resulted in a wave of negative feedback from the public.

Reportedly, Lee departed Hamburger Project in the wake of this backlash, along with his other restaurants, due to the incident involving Ensign. Following the criticism, he publicly apologised for his comments, reflecting on his conduct and expressing remorse. Lee indicated his desire to reassess his approach to food and restaurant management during his time away from the industry.

Kat Ensign, the influencer at the centre of the previous dispute, later commented on the fallout from her review. “This experience has been challenging, especially knowing it resulted in the owner losing his job,” she noted, emphasising that this outcome was never her intention. Ensign expressed a desire to move forward from the situation and focus on her own work.

As the community continues to discuss the incident, Hamburger Project’s latest misstep serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper food handling and delivery practices within the restaurant industry. The outcry surrounding the raw meat has not only raised questions about food safety but also reignited conversations about the relationship between restaurants and their delivery services.

Moving forward, the restaurant has pledged to enhance its operational protocols in light of this incident, as it seeks to regain the trust of its patrons. The ongoing conversation on social media illustrates the growing scrutiny restaurants face in maintaining hygiene and quality standards, especially in the age of instant communication. As the debate unfolds, it remains to be seen how Hamburger Project will navigate the storm and if it can restore its standing in the vibrant San Francisco dining scene.