North Bay Restaurant Forthcoming About Roach Problem

MILL VALLEY (CBS 5) -- A Bay Area restaurant is dealing with some unappetizing pests. Rather than deny the problem, the eatery is serving a dose of honesty to its customers.

Café del Soul in Mill Valley is warning customers about an infestation of German cockroaches. "We actually find one or two coming here…this is an old building," said restaurant manager Sandro De Oliveira.

Exterminators have been called in to eliminate the pests, but the problem is worse than first thought. A recent remodel at a neighboring business uncovered the cockroach nests. "And they told us that when they opened the walls, it was horrible," De Oliveira said.

Along with posting warnings, the restaurant called the health department on themselves.

CBS 5 asked De Oliveira if the warnings would scare off customers. He responded, "Well, that's unfortunately going to happen. But also, if I'm not responsible to tell the truth, why I'm in this business in the first place?"

De Oliveira is hoping the honesty will pressure other businesses in the strip mall to shut down long enough to let exterminators clear out the cockroaches.

So far, the warnings don't seem to bother loyal customers. "But it also speaks to their integrity," said customer Amelia Beamer. "Cockroaches…I try not to think about it."

Inspectors said they will inspect the restaurant. In the meantime, Café del Soul remains open.

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