Chaska Restaurant Closed for Roach Infestations and No Hot Water

Health inspectors shut down Chaska Restaurant in San Francisco's Inner Richmond district after discovering a shocking array of health violations including multiple roach spray cans throughout the facility and a complete lack of hot water that had persisted for nearly a week. The closure occurred during a routine inspection on August 13, 2025, when inspector Jessica Jang documented conditions that posed immediate threats to public health.

Critical Health Violations Discovered

The most alarming discovery during this inspection was the presence of multiple raid roach cans scattered throughout the restaurant. Inspector Jang ordered the immediate removal of all self-applied pesticide items, directing the restaurant to contact a licensed professional pest control contractor. The presence of these pesticide containers in a food preparation area represents a serious toxic substance violation that could contaminate food and endanger customers. Equally concerning was the complete absence of hot running water at any sink in the facility. Water temperatures measured only 85 degrees Fahrenheit, far below the required standards for proper sanitization. Restaurant operators admitted to the inspector that the facility had operated without hot water for nearly a week, creating impossible conditions for proper handwashing and dish sanitization.

Food Safety Failures

Inspectors also discovered dangerous cross-contamination practices when they found raw eggs stored directly above ready-to-eat foods in an upright refrigerator. This violation was corrected on site when employees relocated the eggs to the lowest shelf, but the initial placement posed serious risks of Salmonella and Campylobacter contamination from potential drips. Temperature control failures were evident when inspectors found naan dough sitting at 66 degrees Fahrenheit on a speed rack, well above the required 41-degree maximum for potentially hazardous foods. The dough had been left unattended since the inspection began, indicating poor food handling practices that could lead to bacterial growth and foodborne illness.

Restaurant's Inspection History

Located at 5120 Geary Boulevard near the 38 Geary bus line, Chaska Restaurant had only one previous inspection on record. The establishment successfully passed a reinspection on September 3, 2025, though it still had violations related to plumbing and proper backflow devices. This suggests the restaurant was able to address the critical issues that led to the August closure.

Health Department Response

Inspector Jessica Jang, who can be reached at (415) 252-3825, documented four total violations during the inspection, including one critical violation for toxic substances and two major violations for water temperature and food protection. The person in charge, identified as Pooja, refused to sign the inspection report, indicating potential disagreement with the findings or unwillingness to acknowledge the severity of the violations. The combination of pest control issues, lack of hot water, and food safety violations created an environment where customers could have been exposed to multiple health hazards. Without proper hot water, staff cannot adequately wash hands or sanitize dishes, allowing viruses and bacteria to survive and potentially cause foodborne illness outbreaks. For residents of the Inner Richmond neighborhood, this closure highlights the importance of routine health inspections in maintaining food safety standards. The restaurant's subsequent successful reinspection demonstrates that these violations, while serious, were correctable with proper attention to health department requirements.