Mission Indian Restaurant Gets Conditional Pass After Rodent Issue

Aslam's Rasoi, the Indian restaurant located at 1037 Valencia Street in San Francisco's vibrant Mission district, received a conditional pass during a September 10th reinspection while addressing minor rodent activity that requires immediate attention but does not threaten public safety. The Indian restaurant, situated near the bustling 24th St Mission BART station, can continue serving customers while implementing corrective measures to eliminate evidence of rodent activity discovered in specific areas of the facility.

Inspection Details

During this inspection, health officials found rodent droppings in three distinct locations: under the utensil storage rack in the warewash area, on the floor across from the rack, and in the cove area near the customer dining section. The inspector noted this as a critical violation requiring immediate correction, though the restaurant was permitted to remain open while addressing the issue. The conditional pass indicates that while violations were found, they are correctable and do not pose an immediate threat to public health that would require closure. Inspector Katie Dea documented the findings and provided specific guidance for remediation, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration with licensed pest control operators.

Health Department Requirements

The San Francisco Department of Public Health has outlined clear steps for Aslam's Rasoi to achieve full compliance. The restaurant must eliminate all rodents from the facility and continue working with their licensed pest control operator to implement exclusion recommendations. Additionally, management must remove all evidence of rodent activity immediately, thoroughly clean and sanitize affected areas, and establish ongoing monitoring protocols. The violations fall under California Retail Food Code Section 114259, which addresses the critical importance of preventing pest infestations in food service establishments. Health officials stress that rodents can carry dangerous pathogens, with mice producing up to 50 droppings daily that may contain Salmonella and hantavirus.

Previous Inspection History

This reinspection follows a previous inspection on August 25th when Aslam's Rasoi passed a routine health inspection despite having six violations, all of which were corrected on-site. During that inspection, staff voluntarily discarded rice that had been held at unsafe temperatures of 50-54 degrees Fahrenheit from the previous night, demonstrating the restaurant's commitment to food safety protocols. The August inspection also revealed old rodent droppings, suggesting this has been an ongoing challenge that the restaurant has been actively working to resolve. The quick timeline between inspections indicates the health department's diligent follow-up on pest control issues.

Neighborhood Context

Located in the heart of the Mission district, Aslam's Rasoi serves a diverse community of residents and visitors who frequent the area's numerous restaurants and cultural attractions. The restaurant's proximity to major transit options like BART makes it accessible to diners from across the Bay Area seeking authentic Indian cuisine. The conditional pass allows the restaurant to continue operations while implementing the required pest control measures, ensuring minimal disruption to both the business and the community it serves. Health officials will conduct follow-up inspections to verify that all corrective actions have been completed successfully, with the goal of achieving full compliance and protecting public health in this busy neighborhood dining destination.