Fourteen restaurants and other businesses in Wichita were out of compliance during food safety and lodging inspections conducted by the Kansas Department of Agriculture from Sept. 22-28.
They were cited for a number of violations, including cockroaches, “heavily decomposed” mice on glue traps, employees who didn’t use soap when washing their hands, excessive grease and grime in kitchens, mold and standing water, flies landing on food, plumbing problems, filthy equipment and more, according to inspection reports.
Information about the food establishments and hotels and motels, as well as a summary of their violations, appears below. All of the businesses listed are located in Sedgwick County. The list was compiled Oct. 2.
At least 50 establishments passed their inspections Sept. 22-28. A list of those also appears below. Some may have been non-compliant in previous weeks.
Business owners and managers can contact Eagle reporter Amy Renee Leiker at 316-268-6644 or aleiker@wichitaeagle.com to comment on inspection results that appear in this story. Comments will be added to the online version of this article.
More details about inspections are in The Eagle’s searchable database of non-compliant restaurant and hotel inspections at www.kansas.com/databases.
Out-of-compliance inspections
Countryboy Taste (mobile vendor/food truck), 1932 S. Estelle in Wichita — Seven violations on Sept. 26 during a routine inspection. No hot water during inspection, hot water wasn’t working at a hand-washing sink, no paper towels at hand-washing sink, flies landing on surfaces that touch food, fish fry mix and fries weren’t covered with lids to protect them from contamination, employee washed their hands at a sink with no hot water, water didn’t get hot at a three-compartment sink. Next inspection: Oct. 6.
Dragon City, 1353 S. Webb, Suite 103 in Wichita — Eight violations on Sept. 26 during a routine inspection. Wood door was propped open and a screen door had several holes that let flies in, tubs of raw chicken and raw pork were thawing at room temperature, water wasn’t hot enough at a three-compartment sink, employee washed hands without soap, buildup of grease and grime on chest freezers and preparation tables, raw chicken wasn’t kept cold enough, fly landed on mixing utensil, “excessive build up of grime and debris in back area of kitchen.” Next inspection: Oct. 6.
Eries Corner Store, 2828 E. 21st St. in Wichita — Two violations on Sept. 25 during a modified complaint inspection. “Heavily decomposed” mice on glue traps in kitchen and dishwashing areas, which can attract more pests. Next inspection: Oct. 5.
Felipe’s Jr. Mexican Restaurant, 9718 E. Harry in Wichita — Four violations on Sept. 27 during a routine inspection. Chili verde wasn’t kept hot enough, salsa wasn’t labeled with the time it was prepared or removed from refrigeration, old ham, beans and other ingredients including lettuce and cheese weren’t kept cold enough. Next inspection: Oct. 7.
Golden Corral Buffet & Grill, 616 S. Ridge Road in Wichita — Two violations on Sept. 26 during a modified complaint inspection. Dead cockroaches in cabinets under serving line and on floor, living cockroaches next to taco bar items at the end of the salad bar. Next inspection: Oct. 6.
McDonald’s, 11130 E. 21st St. in Wichita — One violation on Sept. 27 during a routine inspection. Hand-washing sink by the French fry dispensing unit had no water under pressure. The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection on Oct. 1.
O.J. Watson Park Concession Stand at O.J. Watson Park, 2901 S. Old Lawrence Road in Wichita — One violation on Sept. 27 during a follow-up inspection. No test strips to measure strength of chlorine sanitizer on site. The stand passed a phone inspection on Oct. 1.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews, 7355 W. Taft in Wichita — One violation on Sept. 26 during a follow-up inspection. Several foods including blue cheese and coleslaw weren’t cold enough in refrigeration. Next inspection: Oct. 6.
Spangles, 415 S. West St. in Wichita — Four violations on Sept. 25 during a routine inspection. The restaurant didn’t discard food when it was supposed to, cockroach found in cabinet under fountain station at drive thru where there’s also standing water and mold, standing water under cabinet and by mop sink, turkey wasn’t cold enough in refrigeration. Next inspection: Oct. 5.
Supplement World, 1535 S. Oliver in Wichita — One violation on Sept. 23 during an inspection that was a follow-up to an administrative order. Water didn’t get hot enough at a two-compartment sink. Next inspection: Nov. 23.
Taco Fajita Restaurant, 1004 S. Meridian in Wichita — Four violations on Sept. 25 during a routine inspection. The restaurant didn’t have enough hand-washing sinks, a food thermometer didn’t work, water didn’t get hot at the bathroom sink, disinfectant spray was stored by single-use gloves and bottles of lemon juice. Next inspection: Oct. 5.
Taco Pronto, 8385 W. 21st St. in Wichita — Three violations on Sept. 25 during a routine inspection. Flies landing on food and surfaces that touch food, containers of hot and mild sauce left out at room temperature weren’t labeled with the time they were removed from refrigeration, fly landed on taco shells. Next inspection: Oct. 5.
Tom’s Lotus Garden, 822 S. Broadway in Wichita — Two violations on Sept. 27 during a modified complaint inspection. Cockroaches on kitchen floor and by dim sum cups, roaches by cups stored in a broken cooler, “kitchen floor had dead pest and grease throughout with most of it along walls and under equipment.” Next inspection: Nov. 27.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 9746 E. 21st St., Suite 105 in Wichita — Three violations on Sept. 26 during a routine inspection. A food thermometer wasn’t calibrated correctly, pitchers used to make smoothies “were dirty and had buildup inside of the containers,” buildup of trash and food on the floor under equipment throughout the kitchen, dirty dishes and boxes piled up on the floor. Next inspection: Oct. 6.
Ongoing cockroach problems. Flies. Leaks. Wichita KS restaurant, hotel inspections
Bed bugs. Dead cockroaches. Flies. Grease. Wichita KS restaurant, hotel inspections
How do businesses fail inspections?
Businesses fall out of compliance when they have too many violations, issues that can cause a foodborne illness, when a problem can’t be fixed right away, such as bug and rodent infestations, and more. But most violations are minor and are corrected while an inspection is taking place.
Typically, establishments are reinspected within 10 days to ensure they are following the rules.
It’s rare for a business to shut down over a failed inspection. But it can happen. Usually, closures are temporary, voluntary and due to major problems, such as sewage backups, pest infestations, and water or power outages.
The lists in this story include only businesses from Sedgwick County. But you can search food and lodging inspection results anywhere in Kansas at https://foodsafety.kda.ks.gov/FoodSafety/Web/Inspection/PublicInspectionSearch.aspx.
Complaint? Here’s how to submit it
If you see problems at a food or lodging establishment, you can file a complaint.
To notify the state about unsavory or questionable conditions anywhere that serves or sells food to the public, email kda.fsl@ks.gov or call 785-564-6767. You can also file a complaint at www.foodsafetykansas.org.
To report an illness you think was caused by a restaurant, food or event where food is served, contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at 877-427-7317 or www.foodsafetykansas.org.
Complaints about conditions at hotels and motels can be submitted at www.agriculture.ks.gov/public-resources/comments-complaints/lodging-complaint.
For more information about foodborne illnesses, visit www.foodsafety.gov.
These businesses passed inspections
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Ah-So Oriental Restaurant, 855 S. Oliver in Wichita
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Andy’s Frozen Custard, 3425 E. Douglas in Wichita
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Arby’s, 7221 W. 21st St. in Wichita
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Auntie Anne’s Pretzels at Towne East Square, 7770 E. Kellogg Drive, Suite E10 in Wichita
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Baymont Inn & Suites by Wyndham Wichita East, 12111 E. Central in Wichita
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Bocatto Eatery & Pasta, 321 N. Mead in Wichita
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Candle Club, 6135 E. 13th St. in Wichita
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CAPL Retail LLC, 2001 S. Oliver in Wichita
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Cheezies Pizza, 1647 E. MacArthur in Wichita
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Chipotle Mexican Grill, 3015 N. Rock Road in Wichita
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Comfort Inn & Suites, 7856 E. 36th St. North in Wichita
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Crazy Crab, 779 N. West St. in Wichita
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Daikon Cafe, 6157 E. Harry in Wichita
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Dairy Queen Treat/Orange Julius at Towne East Square, 7700 E. Kellogg Drive in Wichita
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Derby Hills Elementary School, 2230 N. Woodlawn in Derby
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Dillons, 9450 E. Harry in Wichita
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Dillons, 200 E. Greenway in Derby
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Dillons, 10515 W. Central in Wichita
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Dollar Tree, 669 N. Ridge Road in Wichita
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Egg Cetera, 242 N. Mosley in Wichita
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Firehouse Subs, 2755 N. Maize Road, Suite 111 in Wichita
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Gordon Parks K-8 Academy, 2201 E. 25th St. North in Wichita
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Haysville Express Inn, 301 E. 71st St. South in Haysville
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Hog Wild Pit Bar-B-Q, 233 S. West St. in Wichita
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Jacky Chan Sushi, 7820 E. Harry in Wichita
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Kimlan Sandwiches, 1035 N. Broadway in Wichita
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Klausmeyer Dairy Farm Tours (mobile vendor/food truck), 8135 S. 119th St. West in Clearwater
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Kwik Shop, 7107 W. 37th St. North in Wichita
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Maize Central Elementary School, 304 W. Academy in Maize
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McDonald’s, 122 N. Seneca in Wichita
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MOXI Junction, 319 S. Park in Maize
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Noble House Hawaiian Restaurant, 2119 W. 21st St. in Wichita
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Odd Fellow Hall, 930 W. Douglas, Suite I in Wichita
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Ooolala Stone Pho, 1415 W. Pawnee in Wichita
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PE Gas Station, 731 N. Ridge Road in Wichita
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Perico Loco (mobile vendor/food truck), 2476 N. Amidon in Wichita
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Peterson Elementary School, 9710 W. Central in Wichita
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Pleasant Valley Elementary School, 2000 W. 29th St. North in Wichita
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Pleasant Valley Middle School, 2220 W. 29th St. North in Wichita
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Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, 3131 N. Rock Road in Wichita
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Ross Dress for Less, 2740 N. Greenwich Court in Wichita
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Sno Biz Shaved Ice (mobile vendor/food truck), 5741 S. Whittier in Derby
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Taco Bell, 2230 N. Rock Road in Wichita
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Tanglewood Elementary School, 830 N. Ridgecrest in Derby
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Village Inn, 1200 N. Rock Road in Derby
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Walmart Supercenter, 10600 W. 21st St. in Wichita
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Walmart Supercenter, 5475 N. Meridian in Wichita
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Wendy’s, 930 E. Connolly Court in Park City
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Wichita Brewing Company Production Facility, 727 E. Osie in Wichita
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Xclusive Events Olive (mobile vendor/food truck), 709 W. 30th St. South in Wichita
Note: Sometimes addresses listed — especially for mobile vendors and food trucks — are not where food is actually served to the public. Contact those establishments directly for specific service locations.
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