Snow Bliss Cafe in West Portal Shut Down for Roach Infestation

Snow Bliss Cafe on West Portal Avenue has been forced to close its doors after health inspectors discovered a severe cockroach infestation that included live roaches crawling on ice cream storage equipment and dead cockroaches contaminating hand washing facilities. The West Portal neighborhood cafe failed this inspection on December 3, 2025, receiving one critical violation for the extensive cockroach problem that rendered the facility unsafe for food service.

Inspection Details

The most alarming discovery occurred when inspectors found a live cockroach nymph crawling on top of the white box freezer used to store ice cream, creating a direct contamination risk for customers. Even more disturbing, a dead roach was discovered inside the basin of the back area hand sink, meaning the very facility designed to promote hygiene had become a breeding ground for pests. The infestation extended throughout the kitchen operations, with dead cockroaches found on the floor underneath the three-door refrigerator and what appeared to be another dead roach positioned next to a wok at the cook's line. According to the person in charge, the facility had never contracted a licensed pest control operator and had been attempting to address the problem through self-treatment with sprays - an approach that clearly proved inadequate.

Health Violations Found

The cockroach crisis created a cascade of additional health hazards that further compromised food safety. When a staff member was instructed to kill a live adult roach, she was observed doing so with her bare hands, then proving unable to properly wash her hands afterward due to inadequate handwashing facilities. Both the front counter hand sink and main prep area hand sink had empty paper towel dispensers, making proper hand hygiene impossible. The main prep area hand sink was additionally blocked by a tall stack of boxes, and when inspectors had the boxes removed, they discovered the basin was completely dry from lack of use. These conditions created a perfect storm where staff could neither prevent contamination nor clean themselves after encountering pests. Inspectors also documented an accumulation of grease and food debris throughout the facility, including on floors and behind cooking equipment. An inoperable deep fryer stored outdoors was cited as an additional violation requiring immediate removal.

Health Risks and Neighborhood Impact

The violations pose serious health risks to customers who frequent the Snow Bliss Cafe, located near the West Portal Muni station. Cockroaches are known carriers of 33 different types of bacteria and six parasitic worms, making their presence on food contact surfaces and storage equipment particularly dangerous. The contamination of ice cream storage equipment means customers could have unknowingly consumed products exposed to disease-carrying pests. The inability of staff to properly wash their hands after handling contaminated surfaces or killing roaches with their bare hands significantly amplifies the risk of foodborne illness transmission. Without functioning handwashing facilities and proper sanitation supplies, even routine food preparation becomes a health hazard.

Restaurant Closure

Snow Bliss Cafe has not yet reopened following the failed inspection, and the facility must address all cited violations before resuming operations. This marks the first recorded health inspection for the establishment, meaning local residents have no historical context for the restaurant's food safety practices. The closure removes a dining option from the busy West Portal commercial district, where residents and commuters rely on local eateries. The restaurant must now implement professional pest control measures and restore proper handwashing facilities before health officials will consider allowing reoperation.