Diwali Indian Cuisine Closed for Live Cockroaches in Kitchen

San Francisco health inspectors immediately closed Diwali Indian Cuisine on Valencia Street after discovering a severe cockroach infestation throughout the restaurant's kitchen and food preparation areas during a routine inspection on November 5, 2025. The Mission District Indian restaurant at 1499 Valencia Street was forced to suspend operations after inspectors found live cockroaches in various life stages crawling on food contact surfaces, walls, and equipment throughout the downstairs preparation area. The disturbing scene included cockroach feces coating walls and electrical conduit boxes, with large numbers of dead cockroaches scattered on floors near kitchen equipment.

Shocking Kitchen Conditions

During this inspection, health officials documented cockroaches living between wooden pillars, on conduit lines, door frames, chest freezers, and walls throughout the food preparation and dry storage areas. The infestation was so severe that cockroach droppings were visible on walls, conduit boxes, and plastic wall panels. Adding to the health hazards, inspectors found large numbers of filth flies buzzing throughout the downstairs prep area, restroom, and around the mop sink. The combination of cockroaches and flies created a dangerous environment where disease-carrying pests had direct access to food and food contact surfaces. The violations extended beyond the pest infestation. Inspectors discovered two large volumes of rice cooling improperly, with one container sitting directly on the floor covered only with loose aluminum foil. Staff were observed cutting raw onions without washing their hands first, then storing the sliced onions in non-food-grade containers alongside open spices that were also contaminated with live cockroaches.

Critical Food Safety Violations

The restaurant faced additional serious violations including blocked handwashing stations, which prevented staff from maintaining basic hygiene standards. Inspectors found household equipment being used inappropriately for food preparation, including a microwave and refrigerator not designed for commercial food service. Perhaps most concerning, the facility was using household pest control chemicals near food preparation areas. This practice is strictly prohibited as these toxic chemicals can contaminate food and surfaces where meals are prepared. The equipment violations included a single-compartment deep fryer and two-burner range operating outside the required ventilation hood, creating fire hazards and improper air circulation. Food residue had accumulated on refrigerator door exteriors, while grease and debris coated flooring underneath cooking equipment and throughout storage areas.

Health Risks for Customers

Cockroaches are known carriers of over 30 types of bacteria, including Salmonella and E. coli, along with six parasitic worms. The insects contaminate food and surfaces through their droppings, shed skin, and direct contact. Combined with the improper food cooling methods and cross-contamination issues, customers dining at the restaurant faced serious risks of foodborne illness. The restaurant's location near 24th Street Mission BART station typically attracts both neighborhood residents and commuters seeking authentic Indian cuisine. The closure removes a dining option from the busy Valencia Street corridor until the restaurant can address all violations.

Path to Reopening

The restaurant must complete professional pest control treatment and correct all violations before reopening. This includes sealing cracks and crevices where cockroaches were living, deep cleaning all surfaces, replacing household equipment with commercial-grade alternatives, and establishing proper food handling procedures. The Department of Public Health has not announced a timeline for potential reopening, as the restaurant must demonstrate complete compliance with all food safety regulations before resuming operations.