Tea Fm Parkside Cafe Reopens After Fixing Rodent Issue

Tea Fm, the popular cafe in Parkside, has successfully reopened after addressing a serious rodent infestation that forced health officials to close the establishment. The cafe at 3251 20th Ave passed its reinspection on November 17, 2025, after implementing professional pest control services and conducting extensive deep cleaning throughout the facility. The reopening represents a significant achievement for the Stonestown Muni area establishment, which had been shuttered following a failed reinspection on November 6. Health inspectors confirmed that Tea Fm had successfully eliminated the rodent problem that initially triggered the closure, allowing the popular neighborhood gathering spot to resume serving customers.

New Violations Despite Reopening Success

While the rodent issue was resolved, health inspectors during this inspection discovered 10 violations that highlighted ongoing food safety concerns at the establishment. The most serious violation involved wastewater from the three-compartment sink draining directly into a bucket due to faulty plumbing, creating potential cross-contamination risks for food preparation areas. Inspectors found the ice machine contaminated with pink and white mold-like residue throughout its interior, posing health risks for beverages served to customers. Temperature violations were also discovered, with boba tea held at a dangerous 125 degrees Fahrenheit when regulations require 135 degrees, and half-and-half dairy products sitting at room temperature at 77 degrees for over an hour.

Critical Food Safety Lapses

The inspection revealed systematic food safety failures that could have exposed customers to foodborne illnesses. No sanitizing solution was available during the three hours the facility had been operating, and employees were observed wiping food preparation surfaces with cloths that had no measurable sanitizing solution. This violation is particularly concerning as dirty surfaces are responsible for 76% of cross-contamination incidents in food service establishments. Additional violations included missing handwashing supplies at critical stations, broken refrigeration gaskets that could lead to temperature abuse, and improper storage of utensils in room-temperature water. The facility also lacked required thermometers in refrigeration units and had no certified food safety manager on staff.

Neighborhood Impact and Follow-up Requirements

The reopening is welcome news for the Parkside community, where Tea Fm serves as a popular neighborhood cafe near the busy Stonestown transit hub. However, health officials have mandated follow-up documentation within 7-30 days to ensure all violations are properly addressed. Tea Fm's inspection history shows this was only the second recorded inspection for the establishment, with the previous November 6 closure inspection revealing six violations that led to the initial shutdown. The pattern suggests ongoing challenges with food safety protocols that management must address to maintain public health standards. The successful resolution of the rodent infestation demonstrates the establishment's commitment to addressing serious health violations, though the discovery of multiple new issues during reopening indicates continued vigilance will be necessary to maintain safe operations for customers in this busy cafe district.