Springfield restaurant was operating while sewage backed up in kitchen, lobby

A Springfield restaurant was still operating despite sewage backing up into its kitchen and lobby, according to a Sept. 20 food inspection report by the Springfield-Greene County Health Department. The restaurant's permit has been suspended until the issue is corrected and it has another inspection.

Sewage backed up throughout the kitchen and into the lobby at Popeye's No. 780, 3195 S. Campbell Ave., on Wednesday. When the health inspector arrived to conduct a routine inspection, the manager was still operating the store, according to the report. All prepped chicken and food that was out during the event was voluntarily discarded.

Food inspections take place one to three times a year, depending on the type of food served, the population served, difficulty of food preparation and past history. Restaurants preparing food from raw ingredients are inspected more often "than convenience stores that serve only non-potentially hazardous foods, such as popcorn and soda," according to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

Each report identifies what was happening at the establishment at that time. Consumers who want to know whether a violation is a one-time thing or a pattern are encouraged to refer to previous reports.

More: Frequent reader of Greene County food inspections? Here's what inspectors want you to know

Issues found during inspection fall into either priority or non-priority violations. Priority violations impact the safety of the food, such as cross contamination between raw and ready-to-eat food, improper food temperature and poor personal hygiene and employee health. Multiple priority violations can lead to an establishment being shut down. Non-priority violations alone do not directly affect food safety, such as dirty floors, sticky tabletops or outside trash cans not being covered.

Here are food inspections from the past week:

Last week: Springfield restaurant's permit suspended this week due to 'imminent health hazards'

Amazin Buffet, 2501 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Sept. 14 routine inspection – Result: active. Four priority violations: Observed employee attempting to remove disposable gloves, wash hands and then reuse disposable gloves, education provided and corrected on site; observed half of a raw pig carcass stored directly over three bins of ready-to-eat dumplings and blood from carcass on the lids of the dumpling containers, all three dumpling containers were voluntarily discarded and contaminated shelf was cleaned, education was provided and corrected on site; observed cantaloupe on buffet bar at 51 degrees Fahrenheit and not marked for time as control, education was provided and cantaloupe was voluntarily discarded, corrected on site; observed multiple food items not date marked in the walk-in cooler — including dumplings, sushi, fish, cut cabbage, shelled crab and clams — corrected on site by discarding all foods not properly date marked, education provided and any future items found in establishment not correctly date marked will continue to be discarded. Two non-priority violations: Observed multiple food items tested out of temperature and were not marked for time as a control, education provided, corrected on site by items being marked with correct discard times; observed employee apron thrown and stored inside employee handwashing sink, education provided and corrected on site.

Bair's All-American Sports Grill, 1644 E. U.S. Highway 60 East, Republic. Sept. 19 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed foods at temperatures above 41 degrees, cheese at 47 degrees in lower part of large prep cooler. No non-priority violations.

Bingo Emporium, 2345 W. Catalpa St., Springfield. Sept. 14 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Boss Hog's BBQ, 235 N. Kimbrough Ave., Springfield. Sept. 16 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Re-inspection required for cold holding. One priority violation: Observed in two-door cooler that coleslaw was at 45 degrees, bologna at 46 degrees and air at 51 degrees. Food was transported in cooler with no ice and cooler was not on. Cooler was overcrowded. Had owner move items to ice to cool and allow more air flow in cooler. Facility has more food than they can keep at 41 degrees or below. After moving items to allow for more air flow, cooler was at 35 degrees. Establishment should only bring enough food that will fit in mechanical refrigeration. No non-priority violations

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Brown Derby No. 12 Deli, 2023 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Sept. 14 re-inspection – Result: active. Make tables were all holding at or below 41 degrees during re-inspection. No violations noted.

Burger King, 3009 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Sept. 15 re-inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed heavy grease build-up between fryer area and sides of fryer unit, manager agrees to send pictures of area when cleaned by Sept. 22.

Captain D's No. 3765, 2604 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. Sept. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Charley's Philly Cheese Steak, 2825 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Sept. 15 re-inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Nacho cheese temperature was holding above 135 degrees. Cooler was not in use, but not fixed yet. Re-inspection will occur on the cooler after it is fixed. No violations noted.

Club Rodeo, 2032 W. Bennett St., Springfield. Sept. 14 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Discussed increasing cleaning frequency of ice machine. Three priority violations: Observed pre-rinse sprayer is hanging down inside of sink; observed insufficient sanitizer at large three-compartment sink; observed spray bottles of toxic chemicals stored over items that come in contact with food, which was corrected at time of inspection.

Copper Canyon Coffee Roasters, 4243 W. Third St., Battlefield. Sept. 16 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Courtyard by Marriot - Bistro, 3527 W. Kearney St., Springfield. Sept. 16 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Three non-priority violations: Observed a stainless steel bowl sitting in the back hand sink when inspector arrived, it was promptly removed from the sink; observed two hand sinks were out of paper towels, which was corrected at inspector's request; observed a number of open boxes of food sitting on the floor of the walk-in freezer.

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Crosstown Barbecue, 1331 E. Division St., Springfield. Sept. 18 offsite inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed low-splash bleach on site for sanitizing, which is not an approved sanitizer. Corrected on site by owner bringing plain, unscented bleach. No non-priority violations.

Don Pedro Grill, 1224 E. U.S. Highway 60 East, Republic. Sept. 15 re-inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed foods held at temperatures above 41 degrees in walk-in cooler. No non-priority violations.

Down South Fried Fish Co., Republic. Sept. 16 re-inspection – Result: active. Re-inspection conducted for cold holding. New reach-in cooler has been provided in unit. Violation has been corrected. No violations noted.

Ed V. Williams School, 2205 W. Kearney St., Springfield. Sept. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations observed.

Edible Art, 3167 W. Republic Road, Springfield. Sept. 15 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

El Rincon, 306 E. Commercial St., Springfield. Sept. 16 offsite inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: Observed no chlorine residual in spray bottle, owner purchased bleach and violation was corrected on site; observed cabbage holding at 50 to 52 degrees, which was corrected by placing on time control and education was provided. No non-priority violations.

European Market and Bakery, 3023 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. Sept. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Go Burrito, 2100 W. Republic Road, Springfield. Sept. 15 re-inspection – Result: active. Core items corrected: Thin probe thermometer and lactic acid test strips now available. No violations noted.

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Greek Belly, 320 E. Walnut St., Springfield. Sept. 16 offsite inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Hillcrest HPER (VB and Basketball), 3319 N. Grant Ave., Springfield. Sept.18 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed employee hand-washing sink did not reach 100 degrees, education given.

Leong's Asian Diner, 1540 W. Republic Road, Springfield. Sept. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed in-use rice scoops stored in 60-degree water, which was corrected by storing in a clean pan, education provided; observed wet wiping cloths stored on prep tables on cook line, which was corrected on-site with wet placed in dirty container and sanitizer buckets made with 200 parts per million quat and new cloths placed in them.

LOL Restaurant, 340 W. Enterprise Court, Fair Grove. Sept. 14 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Lunar Lunchbox LLC, 1933 S. Kimbrough Ave., Springfield. Sept. 16 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed facility using quat sanitizer but had chlorine test strips, education given.

McDonald's, 1717 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Sept. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Not'Cho Ordinary Taco, 440 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Sept. 16 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed faucet leaking on employee hand-washing sink; observed no test kit to check the concentration of the sanitizer, education given.

Panera Bread, 2641 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. Sept. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

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Popeye's No. 780 - HZ Ops Holdings Inc., 3195 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Sept. 20 routine inspection – Result: suspend, public. Two priority violations: 1. Observed sewage backing up throughout kitchen and into lobby, all prepped chicken and food out at time of visit was voluntarily discarded. Permit suspended and facility cannot open until inspector returns for pre-opening inspection when issue is corrected. 2. Observed manager still operating store with back-up of sewage, which is an imminent health hazard. Permit suspended. No non-priority violations.

Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen No. 13947, 1397 E. U.S. Highway 60 East, Republic. Sept. 19 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: Observed rice cooked in the morning was not cooled to 41 degrees within 6 hours; observed food on time control not discarded at required discard time, which was corrected at time of inspection. Two non-priority violations: Observed food prep employee not wearing effective hair restraint; observed floors in walk-in and under and behind equipment were not clean.

Price Cutter Plus No. 52 Deli, 2021 W. Republic Road, Springfield. Sept. 15 re-inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Priority items corrected: Sushi and salad bar cases now below 41 degrees as required. One priority violation: Observed two areas in deli case still holding 42 degrees to 48 degrees and 44 degrees. The entire case should be able to hold the internal temperature of items below 41 degrees. No potentially hazardous foods in case at time of visit, water temperature was taken. Follow up scheduled for Sept. 18, manager agrees not to store any potentially hazardous foods in the unit until inspector re-checks.

Price Cutter Plus No. 52 Deli, 2021 W. Republic Road, Springfield. Sept. 18 re-inspection – Result: active. Priority item corrected. Deli case now holding at 41 degrees as required. No violations cited.

Q66, Springfield. Sept. 16 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Qdoba Mexican Grill, 4127 S. Kansas Expressway, Springfield. Sept. 20 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Two priority violations: Observed queso heated after lunch rush measured at 106 degrees to 120 degrees in hot-hold cabinet and steam table and it was determined the initial reheat temperature of the queso and diablo cheeses were not reaching 165, which was corrected by reheating to over 135 degrees as required, and education provided; observed small prep cooler holding milk and shredded cheese at 46 degrees to 49 degrees, so three half-pans of shredded cheese and three small milks were voluntarily discarded, cooler should be fixed by Sept. 25. Two non-priority violations: Observed single-service items stored in boxes on floor under soda fountain cabinet, which was corrected by moving it to a cabinet with a shelf in it; observed vent hood has grease build-up on frame and filters, increase cleaning frequency to prevent build-up.

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Rapid Roberts No. 114, 3351 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. Sept. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Roadzarks Concessions, 2224 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield. Sept. 16 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed quat sanitizer being used without proper test kit, education given.

RSKK LLC DBA Mays Mart, 116 S. Washington St., Walnut Grove. Sept. 15 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. A re-inspection will be made on or after Sept. 19 to check for correction of priority violations. Two priority violations: Observed pizza prep refrigerator was running at 52 degrees and several potentially hazardous food items there were voluntarily discarded, and the sandwich refrigerator was running at 46 degrees and potentially hazardous foods had to be discarded, as well; observed open packages of ham, turkey and roast beef in walk-in refrigerator that were not labeled with use-by dates. Four non-priority violations: Observed inside of ice machine was not clean; observed thermometers in sandwich refrigerator and pizza prep refrigerator are inaccurate and need to be replaced; observed staff unable to find chlorine test strips for checking sanitizing solutions; observed ice scoop stored on a cardboard box on top of ice machine.

RSKK LLC DBA Mays Mart, 116 S. Washington St., Walnut Grove. Sept. 19 re-inspection – Result: active. All violations corrected except still needing a few thermometers for small refrigerators. No violations cited.

Senor Julian Mexican Bar & Grill, 3405 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Sept. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

SGF Sports LLC, 209 N. Airport Blvd., Springfield. Sept. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited. discussed time control procedures.

Sonic Drive-In Republic, 790 E. U.S. Highway 60 East, Republic. Sept. 14 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed several foods held on time control not marked with discard time, food discarded and corrected at time of inspection.

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Springfield Catholic Football, 2340 S. Eastgate Ave., Springfield. Sept. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Strafford Middle School, 201 McCabe St., Strafford. Sept. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed walk-in vents were unclean, which is a repeat violation.

Suburban Snow, 839 Ridge Park, Springfield. Sept. 16 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed no test strips available for quaternary sanitizer, establishment should obtain test strips and have them available on the mobile unit at all times.

Subway, 225 E. Evergreen St., Strafford. Sept. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

The Almighty Sandwich Shop, 1530 E. Saint Louis St., Springfield. Sept 16 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

The Chop Shop Burger, 1535 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Sept. 16 routine inspection – Result: active.

The Infinite Kitchen, Springfield. Sept. 16 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Whataburger No. 1279, 2337 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Sept. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Three non-priority violations: Observed small leak under dining room area soda fountain; observed half of the facility's cold-hold units did not have thermometers placed in them, which is a repeat violation; observed boxes of single-use articles in shipping box were stored on the floor by the first drive-thru window, education given.

Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield restaurant temporarily closes due to sewage backup