Sarita's Grill & Beer Closed for Cockroaches in Kitchen

San Francisco health inspectors ordered the immediate closure of Sarita's Grill & Beer on Valencia Street after discovering an active cockroach infestation in the kitchen during a routine inspection on September 2, 2025. The Mission district restaurant at 995 Valencia Street was shut down when inspector Katie Dea found three fast-moving live cockroaches, including one carrying an egg case, hiding on the main prep cooler's refrigeration gasket. Heavy cockroach droppings were scattered throughout the cooler's hinges, creating serious health hazards for customers dining at the popular American cuisine establishment near 24th St Mission BART.

Health Violations Found

This inspection revealed multiple critical violations that posed immediate threats to public health. Beyond the cockroach infestation, inspectors discovered dangerous cross-contamination practices in the basement reach-in freezer, where packages of raw chicken were stored directly above packages of loroco, a vegetable used in Latin American cooking. The facility also failed to maintain basic sanitation standards, with bags of carrots found sitting directly on the walk-in cooler floor and bags of onions stored on the kitchen floor. These practices violate fundamental food safety protocols designed to prevent contamination and pest attraction. Additional violations included debris accumulation on fan guards in the walk-in cooler and heavy grease buildup mixed with cockroach droppings in the prep cooler hinges. The restaurant also lacked proper drainage gaps for pipes in the bar area, creating potential backflow contamination risks.

Immediate Health Risks

The cockroach infestation presented serious health dangers to customers who dined at the restaurant before its closure. Cockroaches carry 33 different types of bacteria and six parasitic worms, spreading diseases through their droppings and by walking across food preparation surfaces. The presence of an egg case indicates an established breeding population within the kitchen equipment. The cross-contamination of raw chicken stored above ready-to-eat vegetables created additional risks for Salmonella and Campylobacter poisoning. These bacteria cause severe food poisoning symptoms including fever, diarrhea, and vomiting that can last for days. Food stored directly on floors becomes contaminated with bacteria, dirt, and cleaning chemicals, while the accumulated grease and debris observed throughout the kitchen provides ideal breeding conditions for additional pests and harmful bacteria.

Restaurant Response and Reopening

Upon discovering the violations, cleaning was immediately initiated at the time of inspection. Inspector Dea contacted pest control services to address the cockroach infestation. The restaurant was required to correct all violations before being permitted to reopen. The facility successfully addressed the health violations and passed a reinspection on September 4, 2025, allowing it to resume operations after demonstrating compliance with health codes. This closure represents the first recorded health violation for Sarita's Grill & Beer, which had no previous inspection history on file with the San Francisco Department of Public Health. The restaurant serves American cuisine in the vibrant Mission district, an area known for its diverse dining scene and proximity to public transportation. The Swift closure and successful reinspection demonstrate the effectiveness of San Francisco's restaurant inspection program in protecting public health while allowing compliant establishments to return to service quickly.