Cake Coquette Mission Bakery Fails Health Reinspection

Cake Coquette Inc., the popular bakery located at 1501 Cortland Avenue in San Francisco's Mission district, failed a critical health reinspection on October 7, 2025, revealing serious sanitization failures and widespread confusion about basic food safety protocols among staff. The most alarming discovery during this inspection was that the establishment had been operating without any chemical sanitizer in their dishwashing systems. Inspector Sojeatta Khim found that both the mechanical dishwasher and the three-compartment sink's auto sanitizer dispenser contained no sanitizing chemicals, meaning food contact equipment had been washed without proper sanitization for an unknown period.

Sanitization System Failures

The inspection revealed a complete breakdown in the bakery's sanitization protocols. Staff members were discovered using soap detergent as a sanitizing solution to wipe food preparation surfaces, creating significant cross-contamination risks. When questioned about proper sanitization procedures, the operator appeared confused about basic food safety requirements. The auto dispenser at the third sink showed inadequate concentrations for both chlorine and quaternary ammonia solutions. Testing strips for quaternary ammonia were either missing or non-functional, preventing staff from monitoring sanitizer effectiveness. Inspector Khim was forced to instruct the operator on emergency manual dishwashing procedures using a chlorine bleach solution.

Equipment and Cleanliness Violations

Beyond the sanitization failures, inspectors found multiple equipment issues throughout the facility. An unplugged upright reach-in refrigerator in the preparation area had developed a musty, moldy odor that required immediate attention. Storage racks were positioned in front of the handwashing sink, obstructing access to this critical sanitation station. Wiping cloths were stored in unsanitary conditions on drain boards and tabletops without proper sanitizer bucket setup. The cake tabletop and other food preparation equipment showed visible contamination, having been cleaned only with soap rather than sanitizing solution.

Facility Conditions

The bakery's general cleanliness also drew criticism from health inspectors. Floors and walls showed significant flour and dirt buildup throughout the facility. Despite the operator's attempts to address violations during the inspection, fundamental misunderstandings about food safety protocols persisted. Located near the 24th Street Mission BART station on busy Cortland Avenue, Cake Coquette serves a diverse neighborhood clientele who frequent the area's numerous restaurants and cafes. The bakery's violations pose particular risks given the nature of cake and pastry preparation, where cross-contamination can easily spread harmful bacteria through multiple products.

Health Implications

The sanitization failures discovered at Cake Coquette create serious health risks for customers. Without proper sanitizing solutions, bacteria and viruses can survive on food contact surfaces, potentially causing foodborne illnesses including salmonella and E. coli infections. The use of soap instead of sanitizer compounds these risks by providing a false sense of cleanliness while allowing dangerous pathogens to thrive. Inspector Khim provided her contact information for follow-up and required immediate corrective actions. The facility must demonstrate proper sanitization procedures and equipment functionality before it can pass reinspection. All major violations were noted for correction, with the establishment remaining open despite the failed reinspection status. This marks the first recorded inspection for the establishment in the city's database, making the extensive violations particularly concerning for a business serving baked goods to Mission district residents and commuters.