Dancing Yak LLC Gets Conditional Pass Despite Cooling Issues

Dancing Yak LLC, a Nepalese restaurant located at 280 Valencia Street in SOMA, received a conditional pass during a reinspection on September 16, 2025, after addressing food cooling violations on site. The Nepalese establishment was able to remain open while working to resolve minor equipment and procedural issues identified during the inspection. The reinspection was conducted to verify compliance with an abatement hearing letter dated August 13, 2025, focusing on previously identified concerns. Inspector Carlos Barragan found that the restaurant had made significant progress but still needed to address specific cooling protocols and equipment installation requirements.

Inspection Details

During this inspection, which took place from 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM, inspectors discovered two containers of cooked chicken that had been improperly cooled overnight, registering temperatures between 45-47 degrees Fahrenheit. The restaurant staff immediately cooperated with the inspector's recommendations and voluntarily discarded the affected food items on site, demonstrating their commitment to food safety protocols. The primary violation involved improper cooling methods and equipment usage. The inspector noted that the restaurant should utilize metal containers when using ice baths to rapidly cool potentially hazardous foods. This recommendation addresses a critical aspect of food safety, as improper cooling is identified as the leading cause of restaurant-related foodborne illness, particularly from Clostridium perfringens spores that can multiply rapidly during slow cooling processes.

Outstanding Equipment Requirements

The inspection also revealed that a mop sink installation remained incomplete seven days after the initial requirement was issued. The inspector emphasized that failure to comply with this equipment requirement could result in a 72-hour closure, highlighting the importance of maintaining proper sanitation infrastructure in commercial food operations. The restaurant received the violation under California Retail Food Code Section 114002 and 114002.1, which govern proper cooling methods for food establishments. The violation was classified as major but was corrected on site when the affected chicken was discarded, allowing the restaurant to maintain its conditional pass status.

Location and Accessibility

Dancing Yak LLC operates in the heart of SOMA, conveniently located near Civic Center BART, making it easily accessible to both residents and visitors in the area. The restaurant continues to serve its Nepalese cuisine while addressing the minor operational improvements identified during the inspection process.

Follow-up Requirements

A follow-up inspection has been scheduled for September 23, 2025, to ensure that all outstanding issues, particularly the mop sink installation, have been completed satisfactorily. The restaurant's management has been working closely with health department officials to address these requirements promptly. The conditional pass status allows Dancing Yak LLC to continue serving customers while making the necessary adjustments to meet full compliance standards. This approach demonstrates the health department's balanced methodology of ensuring public safety while supporting local businesses in maintaining their operations during the correction process. The inspection was received by Ajay, presumably a representative of the restaurant's management team, indicating active engagement with the compliance process. Customers can continue to enjoy meals at the establishment while the restaurant works toward achieving full compliance with all health department requirements.