Ratcha Thai Fails Health Inspection with Live Cockroaches

Ratcha Thai, a Thai restaurant located at 631 Broadway in North Beach, failed its routine health inspection on September 8, 2025, after inspectors discovered live cockroaches and multiple serious health code violations that put customers at risk of foodborne illness.

Live Cockroach Discovery Highlights Major Pest Problem

The most alarming finding during this inspection was a live cockroach observed crawling under the ware washing machine, indicating an active infestation in food preparation areas. Health inspectors also documented extensive evidence of cockroaches throughout the facility, including dead roaches on adhesive boards near the point of sale, around the basement grease trap, and on top of refrigeration equipment used to store employee personal items. Inspector Michael Mooney noted that while the facility showed evidence of ongoing pest control efforts and had undergone extensive cleaning since its previous inspection issues, the presence of live insects in food preparation areas represents a critical health violation that could expose diners to dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli.

Dangerous Food Storage and Contamination Risks

Beyond the cockroach infestation, inspectors cited Ratcha Thai for improper food storage practices that created significant cross-contamination risks. The restaurant was storing bagged, partially cooked chicken above fully cooked chicken in the basement walk-in cooler, violating basic food safety protocols designed to prevent raw meat juices from contaminating ready-to-eat foods. This violation is particularly concerning as raw chicken commonly harbors Salmonella and Campylobacter bacteria, which can cause severe gastrointestinal illness when transferred to cooked foods. The inspector reminded staff to follow proper food storage hierarchy based on minimum internal cooking temperatures to prevent dangerous cross-contamination.

Residential Pest Control Products Found On-Site

Adding to the facility's problems, inspectors discovered residential-use pest control products including cans of insect spray, home defense spray, and bags of rodent bait blocks. These products are prohibited in commercial food establishments because they are not approved for use around food preparation areas and can contaminate surfaces and equipment. The inspector ordered immediate removal of these products and mandated that all pest control be performed exclusively by licensed professionals using commercial-grade products approved for restaurant use.

Restaurant History and Community Impact

This marks the first recorded inspection for the North Beach establishment, which serves the busy Broadway corridor near the Powell-Mason Cable Car line. The restaurant's failure comes at a time when North Beach dining establishments face increased scrutiny following several high-profile health violations in the neighborhood. The combination of live insects, improper food storage, and unauthorized pest control products represents serious systemic issues that could have exposed customers to multiple health risks including foodborne pathogens, chemical contamination, and insect-borne diseases. The restaurant was not ordered to close but must address all violations and work with licensed pest control professionals to eliminate the infestation before its next inspection. Customers should be aware that the facility was operating with active health code violations during regular service hours.