Chase Luck Bakery Closed for Raw Chicken on Floor, Cold Food

The San Francisco Department of Public Health has ordered the immediate closure of Chase Luck Bakery in the Excelsior district after inspectors discovered raw chicken being stored directly on the kitchen floor and multiple critical food safety violations during this inspection on August 20, 2025.

Critical Health Violations Found

The most alarming discovery occurred when health inspectors found raw chicken in a plastic tub stored at room temperature on the floor underneath the three-compartment sink. When questioned, restaurant staff claimed the meat was simply "thawing," demonstrating a fundamental misunderstanding of safe food handling practices that could expose customers to serious foodborne illnesses including salmonella and campylobacter. The violations extended far beyond improper chicken storage. Inspectors documented potentially hazardous foods including bean sprouts, raw eggs, and cooked BBQ pork measuring above the safe temperature of 41°F while sitting at room temperature. The restaurant's steamer equipment was failing to maintain the required 135°F holding temperature, with dim sum buns containing meat measuring only 125°F - creating ideal conditions for rapid bacterial growth. Food contamination risks were compounded by the discovery of unwashed bean sprouts being used directly from their packaging without any cleaning. The kitchen lacked basic sanitation supplies, with no liquid soap available in the employee bathroom and no sanitizing buckets present in active food preparation areas during service.

Equipment and Storage Violations

The bakery's equipment violations painted a picture of systematic food safety failures. Cardboard was being used to line surfaces underneath equipment, creating harborage areas for cockroaches. Non-food service equipment including wrenches, tools, and WD-40 were stored directly next to food items such as flour. The facility completely lacked probe thermometers during active food preparation, making it impossible for staff to verify safe food temperatures. Wet wiping cloths were stored on food contact surfaces like cutting boards without sanitizing solution, and food storage containers had unlabeled tops with accumulated food particles.

Structural and Sanitation Issues

The restaurant's physical condition raised additional health concerns. Kitchen floors showed grease accumulation underneath the cook's line, while the side door remained wide open during active food service, providing easy entry for vermin. Broken-down cardboard boxes accumulated by the open door, creating additional pest attraction points. Employee hygiene facilities were compromised, with toilet paper not properly dispensed and bar soap - which can transfer bacteria between users - found instead of required liquid soap dispensers.

Previous Inspection History

Chase Luck Bakery, located at 1325 Ocean Avenue near Balboa Park BART, had previously passed a reinspection on September 9, 2025, suggesting these violations represent a significant deterioration in food safety practices. The inspection required Cantonese interpreting services provided by Language Line Solutions, and resulted in 16 total violations including three critical infractions that posed immediate health risks to customers. The restaurant remains closed pending correction of all violations and successful reinspection by health department officials.