Soma Eats SOMA Restaurant Fails with Broken Sanitizer, No Soap

Soma Eats at 186 2nd Street in SOMA failed its routine health inspection on October 17, 2025, with multiple violations that put diners at risk of foodborne illness. The restaurant near Montgomery St BART was cited for five total violations, including one major infraction involving food protection.

Critical Equipment Failures

The most serious issue discovered during this inspection was a broken mechanical warewasher that failed to dispense the required 50 parts per million chlorine sanitizing solution. This critical equipment failure means dishes, utensils, and food contact surfaces were not properly sanitized, creating a pathway for dangerous bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella to contaminate food served to customers. Inspector Patrick Wood required the restaurant to sanitize all multi-use utensils in a three-compartment sink until the mechanical warewasher could be repaired. The violation was classified under California Retail Food Code sections 114099, 114117, and 114125(b), which mandate proper sanitization of all food contact surfaces.

Handwashing and Cross-Contamination Issues

Adding to the sanitation concerns, inspectors found soap missing from the handwash sink closest to the entrance. This violation directly impacts employee hygiene practices and increases the risk of contaminating food with harmful pathogens from unwashed hands. The absence of soap at handwashing stations is a fundamental food safety failure that can lead to widespread contamination. The restaurant also violated food separation protocols when inspectors discovered an ice scoop stored above ice level or outside the ice machine. This improper storage creates direct cross-contamination risks, as the scoop can pick up bacteria from surfaces and transfer them directly into ice that touches beverages and food.

Maintenance and Cleaning Deficiencies

Inspectors documented poor cleaning practices throughout the facility, citing dirty floors under equipment and shelving units, as well as around the hot-water heater. These areas often harbor bacteria and pests when not properly maintained, creating ongoing contamination risks for food preparation areas. The combination of broken sanitizing equipment, missing soap, and poor cleaning practices creates a compounding effect where harmful bacteria can flourish and spread throughout the restaurant's food preparation and service areas.

Health Implications for Customers

The violations found at Soma Eats represent serious health risks for diners. Improperly sanitized dishes and utensils can harbor dangerous pathogens that cause severe foodborne illnesses. Cross-contamination from the improperly stored ice scoop could expose customers to bacteria through beverages and any food items that come into contact with ice. The broken warewasher violation is particularly concerning because it affects every dish and utensil used in the restaurant. Without proper chlorine sanitization, biofilms can form on food contact surfaces, protecting bacteria from normal cleaning and allowing them to multiply.

Restaurant Response and Reinspection

Rather than requiring an in-person reinspection, Inspector Patrick Wood allowed the restaurant to submit photo documentation showing corrections. The photos must include a chlorine test strip registering 50ppm chlorine and the restored soap dispenser at the handwash sink. This marks the first recorded inspection for Soma Eats in the city database, making it unclear whether these violations represent ongoing issues or isolated incidents. The restaurant remains open while addressing the violations, though customers should be aware of the serious sanitation issues discovered during the October 17 inspection.