Dog in grocery store. Dead mice. Old food. Mold. Wichita KS restaurant inspections

Amy Renee Leiker
·20 min read

Nearly 30 restaurants, stores, food trucks and other businesses in and around Wichita were out of compliance during food safety and lodging inspections conducted by the Kansas Department of Agriculture over the past two weeks.

Their problems include employees who didn’t wash their hands after handling raw chicken or touching their face or money, old and moldy foods, raw meats and seafood that weren’t stored properly, dead and decomposing mice and bugs in traps, a grocery store with a dog in it, items that were mislabeled or were missing labels, missing logs, and several instances where there was no hot water at sinks, according to inspection reports.

Information about the food establishments and a summary of their violations appear below. The list includes inspections conducted in Sedgwick County from March 3-16. It was compiled March 21.

More than 120 establishments passed inspections during that same time. Some may have been non-compliant in previous weeks.

Owners or 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.

More details about the inspection results are in The Eagle’s searchable database of non-compliant restaurant and hotel inspections at www.kansas.com/databases.

Out-of-compliance inspections

March 3-9

The Beacon Restaurant, 909 E. Douglas in Wichita — Three violations on March 8 during a routine inspection. Flour, sugar and pancake mix weren’t stored in food-grade containers, thermometer wasn’t calibrated correctly, container of cooked sausage didn’t cool rapidly enough in refrigeration. The next inspection date wasn’t listed.

Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Store, 2201 N. Rock Road in Derby — Nine violations on March 7 during a joint inspection. An apron was stored in a sink dedicated for hand-washing, soda station at drive-thru was leaking and needed service, cartons of pasteurized scrambled egg mix sitting out at room temperature, no test strips for chlorine sanitizer, buildup of mold and mildew on soda nozzles at drive-thru soda station, dried ice cream and dessert toppings on trash door and metal shelf by trash can, trash on floor by three-vat sink and ice cream buildup on ice cream machine, no paper towels at hand-washing sink in dish area, no soap at hand-washing sink in produce area, restaurant didn’t update chart that tracks time items are left out at room temperature. The store passed its follow-up inspection on March 19.

La Chinita Mexican Restaurant, 1051 N. Broadway in Wichita — Eight violations on March 6 during a routine inspection. There was sticker residue on pans stored on a shelf, black dust and debris had accumulated on ceiling tiles in kitchen, mixing bowl was partially melted and burned on the bottom, gallon of milk wasn’t labeled with opening date, bottle of degreaser wasn’t labeled with contents, hand-washing sink between kitchen and preparation area didn’t work, drain pipe at sink had been disconnected because it clogged, no soap at kitchen hand-washing sink. The restaurant was still out of compliance at its March 18 follow-up inspection.

La Tienda Del Ahorro, 1770 N. Broadway in Wichita — Four violations on March 7 during a routine inspection. Dead mouse in glue trap, several medications weren’t labeled in English, no soap at hand-washing sink in meat preparation room, several foods including meats and pastries were not labeled in English. The business passed a follow-up inspection on March 18.

LaMar’s Donuts and Coffee, 3130 N. Rock Road, Suite 130 in Wichita — One violation on March 6 during a licensing inspection. Water at the three-compartment sink wasn’t hot enough because the water heater needed to be adjusted. Next inspection: March 16.

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, 2347 N. Maize Road in Wichita — One violation on March 4 during a follow-up inspection. A three-compartment sink with a direct connection to the sewage system is still being used to prepare raw meats. Next inspection: May 4.

Pho KC, 4875 E. Pawnee in Wichita — Six violations on March 4 during a follow-up inspection. Food was sitting in a sink dedicated to hand-washing, restaurant didn’t record the time it removed poached eggs that sit at room temperature from the grill or the temperature of the eggs, cracks in equipment used for preparing food, meatballs and frozen shrimp were stored in “thank you” bags instead of food-grade containers, no food thermometer on site. Next inspection: May 4.

Pig In Pig Out BBQ, 1003 E. 13th St. in Wichita — Nine violations on March 5 during a routine inspection. Cole slaw and potato salad in the refrigerated preparation table wasn’t cold enough, no paper towels in men’s bathroom, no hot water in bathrooms, employees’ drinks were sitting above bread and clean food containers used for customers, meats and green beans in heated preparation table weren’t kept hot enough, no test strips on site for measuring chlorine sanitizer concentration in dish washing machine, food debris on container lids that were supposed to be clean, no soap in women’s bathroom, employee didn’t wash hands between touching dirty and clean dishes. The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection on March 19.

The Sandbox at Derby, 2412 N. Rock Road in Derby — Fourteen violations on March 7 during a joint inspection. Fries and fried chicken ingredients were sitting out at room temperature, bucket of sanitizer was sitting next to flour mix for chicken, food debris and sticker residue were on pans sitting on clean dish racks, slicer and potato peeler were dirty, no soap at hand-washing sink, employee didn’t wash hands between glove changes after touching raw chicken, raw bacon and raw beef were stored above cooked noodles and cheeses in cooler, cabinet with bowls was soiled with food debris, restaurant was using WD-40 instead of food-grade chemicals on a slicer machine, employee touched shaker and steamer lid after handling raw beef without washing hands or changing gloves, old thousand island dressing, plumbing issue at mop sink, no paper towels at hand-washing sink and paper towel dispenser at the bar didn’t work, bottle of sanitizer wasn’t labeled with contents, chicken and egg rolls and fries weren’t labeled with preparation dates. The business passed a follow-up inspection on March 19.

Social Tap Drinkery, 2244 N. Greenwich, Suite 100 in Wichita — Five violations on March 5 during its first operational inspection after licensing. Bottles of multi-surface cleaner and window cleaner weren’t labeled with common names, pesto sauce wasn’t labeled with the date it was removed from freezer, no test strips to measure chlorine concentration in dish washing machine, pico sauce and vegetables weren’t cold enough in a reach-in cooler because it wasn’t turned on, chlorine chemical in dishwasher wasn’t working. The restaurant was still out of compliance during a March 15 follow-up inspection.

SPK Grocery Cheney, 412 N. Main in Cheney — Eight violations on March 5 during a complaint inspection. Packages of turkey deli meats didn’t have the correct sell-by dates on them, worker had a dog in the building, no probe food thermometer, water wasn’t hot enough at hand-washing sink by produce cooler, employee couldn’t find test strips to measure concentration of sanitizer and didn’t know what sort of sanitizer the business uses, employee was discarding water in the alley because the sinks drained slowly, damage from pooling water under meat cooler, no paper towels at hand-washing sinks in back room and in meat room, dented cans of beans and pears, dented can of sauerkraut. Next inspection: March 15.

Tianluo Bistro, 11309 E. Kellogg Drive, Suite 200 in Wichita — Five violations on March 8 during an inspection that was a follow-up to an administrative order. Restaurant was storing flour in a sanitizer bucket, a mix of soap and water was stored in a soy sauce container that wasn’t properly labeled, raw eggs and raw fish were stored above vegetables in cooler, foods including cooked chicken and egg rolls were sitting at room temperature but weren’t labeled with how long they had been left out. Next inspection: April 8.

March 10-16

Bronx Pizza & Pints, 2140 W. 21st St. in Wichita — Five violations on March 11 during a routine inspection. Raw shrimp was sitting on a box of cheesecake, restaurant didn’t record the time a pizza was left out at room temperature, no test strips for chlorine sanitizer for dish washing machine, milk and whipped topping weren’t labeled with package opening dates, no hot water in bathrooms. Next inspection: March 21.

Carousel Skate Center, 312 N. West St. in Wichita — Two violations on March 13 during a routine inspection. No test strips on site to measure concentration of chlorine sanitizer used for washing dishes, bottles of cleaner weren’t labeled with the chemicals they contained. Next inspection: March 23.

Dollar Tree, 3701 N. Maize Road in Wichita — Two violations on March 13 during a routine inspection. Store didn’t have hot water in bathrooms and hadn’t had hot water in the facility for a year. Next inspection: March 23.

Dolphin Restaurant, 2959 S. Hillside, Suite 500 in Wichita — One violation on March 14 during a follow-up inspection. Raw beef and raw fish weren’t cold enough in a cooled preparation table, bean sprouts and shredded lettuce weren’t cold enough in a different preparation table. Next inspection: April 14.

El Sonorense (mobile vendor/food truck), 255 N. Exposition in Wichita — Six violations on March 14 during a routine inspection. Cooked asada and roasted jalapenos and onions weren’t held at a safe temperature, water for washing dishes wasn’t hot enough, required information including address and content labeling was missing on bottles of juice, juice packaged in to-go bottles didn’t have warning labels about the risk of bacteria growth and wasn’t prepared under a safety plan approved by the state, tamales weren’t labeled with preparation date. Next inspection: March 24.

Harry Grocery & Smoke Shop, 324 W. Harry in Wichita — Four violations on March 11 during a routine inspection. No paper towels at bathroom hand-washing sink, no test strips to measure chlorine sanitizer used for cleaning soda machine nozzles, no sanitizer on site, three dead and decomposing mice were in a metal trap. Next inspection: March 21.

Harry’s Uptown Bar & Grill, 3023 E. Douglas in Wichita — Ten violations on March 11 during a routine inspection. A food thermometer’s calibration was off, graffiti remover was stored in kitchen, gallon of milk wasn’t labeled with date it was opened, no paper towels at men’s bathroom sink, nacho cheese didn’t heat to the required temperature because the dispenser was broken, meats and cheeses weren’t cold enough in refrigeration, vegetables and tuna and chicken salads weren’t cold enough in cooler, meat slicer had “black food debris” on it, “massive buildup of grease” and “buildup of black mold” around kitchen equipment, bottle of graffiti remover was stored with its nozzle pointed at bottles of Worcestershire and hot sauces, packages of beef fajita meats had the wrong preparation date on them. Next inspection: March 21.

Japan Express Restaurant, 2250 N. Rock Road in Wichita — One violation on March 12 during a follow-up inspection. Fry cook didn’t wash hands between battering raw chicken and touching clean tongs and pan. The next inspection date wasn’t listed.

LongHorn Steakhouse, 2720 N. Maize Road in Wichita — Six violations on March 14 during a complaint inspection. Pan of ranch wasn’t labeled with its preparation date, employee touched dirty then clean dishes without washing hands, an employee undercooked a chicken breast, vegetables and chicken wings weren’t labeled with preparation dates, bottles of whipped cream weren’t labeled with package opening dates, old Parmesan spread, several plates and cups and other dishes in clean storage had food and debris on them. Next inspection: March 24.

The Momo Stop (mobile vendor/food truck), 4516 N. Ironwood Circle in Wichita — Seven violations on March 14 during its first operational inspection after licensing. Oil mixed with chili and garlic wasn’t labeled with a preparation date, business owner wasn’t using a food-grade water hose to put water in his mobile water tank, soap and dishes were in hand-washing sink, no water under pressure at three-compartment and hand-washing sinks, frozen dumplings were stored in plastic “thank you” style bags instead of food-grade containers, no test strips for Quaternary ammonium sanitizer, scrambled eggs and chicken weren’t warm enough in hot holding, rice wasn’t hot enough in rice steamer. The business agreed to close temporarily because there was no water under pressure. Next inspection: March 24.

The Shadows, 6339 W. Kellogg Drive in Wichita — Two violations on March 13 during a routine inspection. A tomato wasn’t labeled with the date it had been cut in half, employee couldn’t find a probe food thermometer. Next inspection: March 23.

Social Tap Drinkery, 2244 N. Greenwich, Suite 100 in Wichita — One violation on March 15 during a follow-up inspection. Peppers and tomatoes weren’t cold enough in refrigeration. Next inspection: May 15.

Tacos El Tapatio, 1721 N. Broadway in Wichita — Six violations on March 13 during a routine inspection. Cooked peppers were sitting out at room temperature, old birria jus, business didn’t keep required paperwork to trace back origin of raw oysters in case of a foodborne illness outbreak, menu didn’t specifically identify items that are offered undercooked including raw oysters and ceviche, no soap at hand-washing sink, bags of frozen cooked meats weren’t labeled with the dates they were cooked. Next inspection: March 23.

Tortilleria Los III Potrillos, 318 W. 29th St. North in Wichita — Six violations on March 11 during a routine inspection. Several cooked meats and vegetables weren’t cold enough in refrigeration, no hot water at hand-washing sink, old ground beef and mole, self-serve gorditas and peppers were sitting out at room temperature, a warmer holding tamales wasn’t turned on, bread rolls were stored in T-shirt bags instead of food-grade containers, moldy bread rolls. Next inspection: March 21.

Venuworks of Wichita Catering at Hartman Arena, 8151 N. Hartman Arena Drive in Park City — Ten violations on March 15 during a routine inspection. Employee touched hair and face but didn’t wash hands or change gloves before handling customer drinks, carrots and garlic in oil weren’t labeled with preparation or package opening dates, shredded pepperoni was 20 days too old to serve to customers, dirty can opener, hot dogs and hamburgers weren’t hot enough in hot holding, pasta wasn’t kept hot enough, American cheese and sliced ham wasn’t cold enough in refrigeration, no hot water at men’s bathroom sink, no soap at one hand-washing sink because the dispenser had fallen off, self-serve apples weren’t individually covered to protect them from contamination, mouse trap was full of beetles and grasshoppers. Next inspection: March 25.

Wichita Sports Forum, 2668 N. Greenwich Court in Wichita — Nine violations on March 12 during a routine inspection. No paper towels at concession hand-washing sink, chicken nuggets and corn dogs were supposed to be kept frozen but had thawed in cooler, several bottles of chemicals weren’t labeled with their common names, “heavy build up of old syrup and mold” on soda machine nozzles, employee didn’t wash hands between touching money and handling customer food, no soap in employee bathrooms or hand-washing sink in the concession area, no test strips for measuring sanitizer concentration, old rodent feces in storage area, hot dogs weren’t labeled with package opening dates. Next inspection: March 22.

Yoder Meats, 6458 E. Central in Wichita — Six violations on March 13 during a routine inspection. Old chicken salad, no test strips for measuring concentration of bleach sanitizer, paper towel dispenser didn’t work because its batteries were dead, business wasn’t updating required employee training and other logs, the business couldn’t immediately provide the inspector with copies of state-approved plans for vacuum packaging meats and cheese. Next inspection: March 23.

How establishments fail

Most violations are minor and are corrected during an inspection.

Businesses fall out of compliance when they have too many violations, issues that can cause foodborne illnesses or when a problem can’t be fixed right away, such as bug and rodent infestations. Typically, establishments are re-inspected within 10 days.

It’s rare for a facility to shut down over a failed inspection. But it can happen due to things like sewage backups, pest problems, and water or power outages. Usually, closures are temporary.

You can search food and lodging inspection results in any Kansas county at www.foodsafety.kda.ks.gov/FoodSafety/Web/Inspection/PublicInspectionSearch.aspx.

How to complain

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 report at www.foodsafetykansas.org.

To report an illness you think was caused by a restaurant, food or event, 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 https://agriculture.ks.gov/kda-services/complaint-form/food-safety-and-lodging-complaint.

For more information about foodborne illnesses, visit www.foodsafety.gov.

These businesses passed inspections

March 3-9

  • Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant, 452 S. Ridge Road in Wichita

  • Aeroflex Cafe, 10200 W. York in Wichita

  • Arby’s, 3730 N. Maize Road in Wichita

  • Bionic Burger, 243 N. Main in Haysville

  • Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store, 444 E. Pawnee in Wichita

  • Brickyard, 125-129 N. Rock Island in Wichita

  • Central Kitchen at Derby Public Schools, 610 E. Market in Derby

  • Cessna Elementary School, 2101 W. 45th St. South in Wichita

  • Cholita’s Mexican Restaurant, 8987 W. Central in Wichita

  • Chuck E. Cheese, 3223 N. Rock Road in Wichita

  • Coleman Environmental Magnet Middle School, 1544 N. Governeour in Wichita

  • Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, 3248 N. Rock Road in Wichita

  • Derby North Middle School, 3100 N. Rock Road in Derby

  • Derby Plaza Theaters, 1300 N. Nelson Drive in Derby

  • Dog N Shake, 1706 E. Central in Wichita

  • Dog N Shake, 1640 S. Hillside in Wichita

  • Dollar General Store, 4554 N. Woodlawn in Bel Aire

  • Dollar General Store, 4211 W. Central in Wichita

  • Dutch Bros Coffee, 4823 S. Washington in Wichita

  • El Paso Elementary School, 900 E. Crestway in Derby

  • Enders Open Magnet Elementary School, 3030 S. Osage in Wichita

  • Franklin Elementary School, 214 S. Elizabeth in Wichita

  • Freeman Elementary School, 1745 W. Grand in Haysville

  • The French Tea Room, 3210 E. Victor in Wichita

  • GangNam Korean BBQ & Sushi, 210 N. Washington in Wichita

  • GNC, 2688 N. Greenwich, Suite 200 in Wichita

  • Great Wall Chinese Restaurant, 1812 S. Seneca, Suite 410 in Wichita

  • Hamilton Middle School, 1407 S. Broadway in Wichita

  • Haysville West Middle School, 1956 W. Grand in Haysville

  • Homewood Suites by Hilton at The Waterfront, 1550 N. Waterfront Parkway in Wichita

  • HuHot Mongolian Grill, 2035 N. Rock Road, Suite 119 in Wichita

  • IHOP, 4870 S. Washington in Wichita

  • Isely Traditional Magnet Elementary School, 5256 N. Woodlawn in Bel Aire

  • Jacob Liquor Exchange, 3049 N. Rock Road in Wichita

  • Joann Fabric & Crafts, 3665 N. Rock Road in Wichita

  • Kwik Shop, 3601 E. 47th St. South in Wichita

  • Lava Hookah Lounge, 6160 E. 21st St., Suite 100-140 in Wichita

  • Leaf Teahouse, 9414 W. Central in Wichita

  • Leeker’s Family Foods, 201 N. Main in Haysville

  • Lima Nation, 2146 N. Collective Lane, Suite 102 in Wichita

  • Little Caesars Pizza, 601 N. West St., Suite 208 in Wichita

  • Maize High School, 11600 W. 45th St. North in Maize

  • Marshalls, 2676 N. Greenwich Court in Wichita

  • McDonald’s, 6420 E. Central in Wichita

  • McDonald’s, 7311 W. 21st St. in Wichita

  • Menards, 3250 N. Toben in Wichita

  • NetApp Wichita, 1850 N. Innovation Boulevard in Wichita

  • Omelette Pages, 220 W. Douglas in Wichita

  • On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, 1930 N. Rock Road in Wichita

  • Panda Express, 11787 E. Kellogg Drive in Wichita

  • Peterson Elementary School, 9710 W. Central in Wichita

  • Pizza Hut, 360 N. Main in Haysville

  • Pizza Hut, 2129 N. Woodlawn in Wichita

  • Pray-Woodman Elementary School, 605 W. Academy in Maize

  • Quality Inn South Wichita, 4849 S. Laura in Wichita

  • Rise & Shine Donuts, 606 N. Baltimore in Derby

  • Schlotzsky’s, 8710 W. Central in Wichita

  • Sesame - Mediterranean Kitchen, 2755 N. Maize Road, Suite 109 in Wichita

  • Shocker Hall/Chartwells at Wichita State University, 1845 N. Fairmount in Wichita

  • Smoothie King, 8000 W. Central, Suite 500 in Wichita

  • Spangles, 1023 E. 61st St. North in Park City

  • The Spice Merchant & Company, 1300 E. Douglas in Wichita

  • St. Mary Parish Catholic School, 2306 E. Meadowlark in Derby

  • Subway, 6100 E. 21st St., Suite 120 in Wichita

  • Supplement Giant, 1821 E. Madison, Suite 1100 in Derby

  • Tacos TJ 664 East, 3526 N. Rock Road in Wichita

  • Tai Chi Bubble Tea, 2413 N. Maize Road, Unit 101 in Wichita

  • Topgolf, 2976 N. Greenwich in Wichita

  • Walter H. Beech Elementary School, 1830 S. Cypress in Wichita

  • White Elementary School, 5148 S. Kansas in Wichita

  • Wichita West High School, 820 S. Osage in Wichita

  • Wyndham Garden Wichita Downtown, 221 E. Kellogg in Wichita

March 10-16

  • Aramark at Cargill Headquarters, 825 E. Douglas in Wichita

  • Asian Groceries, 6249 E. 21st St., Unit 123 in Wichita

  • Baby Dolls, 4900 N. Arkansas in Wichita

  • Bann Thai Restaurant, 3811 W. 13th St. in Wichita

  • Blue Fin Sake Bar & Sushi, 255 N. Washington in Wichita

  • Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store, 2223 W. 21st St. in Wichita

  • Bricktown Brewery, 2035 N. Rock Road in Wichita

  • Carnitas Morelia, 3086 W. 13th St. in Wichita

  • Casey’s General Store, 103 W. Patriot in Derby

  • Casey’s General Store, 511 S. West St. in Wichita

  • Cheezie’s Pizza, 601 E. First St., Suite 100 in Wichita

  • Comfort Inn & Suites, 7856 E. 36th St. North in Wichita

  • Da Chicken Shak & More, 2428 W. 13th St. in Wichita

  • Dutch Bros Coffee, 605 S. West St. in Wichita

  • El Azteca Mexican Restaurant, 111 N. Main in Haysville

  • Field Station: Dinosaurs, 2999 N. Rock Road in Derby

  • First Man Brewery, 437 E. Madison in Derby

  • Gordita’s Normas, 2837 N. Broadway, Suite 300 in Wichita

  • Great Wall Chinese Restaurant, 1916 W. 21st St. in Wichita

  • Haysville Express Inn, 301 E. 71st St. South in Haysville

  • Hobby Lobby, 10135 W. 29th St. North in Wichita

  • Holiday Grasslands Estates, 10665 W. 13th St. in Wichita

  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 10750 W. Hampton Lakes in Maize

  • Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar, 353 S. Rock Road in Wichita

  • Karmelkorn Shoppe inside Towne East Square, 7700 E. Kellogg Drive in Wichita

  • Kim’s Noodle Bar & Grill, 10919 E. Harry, Suite 101 in Wichita

  • Kwik Shop, 2750 S. Oliver in Wichita

  • M & M Bierock, 2065 E. Central in Wichita

  • McDonald’s, 20019 W. Kellogg Drive in Goddard

  • M.I.F. Deli, 5618 E. Central in Wichita

  • N & J Cafe & Bakery, 5600 E. Lincoln in Wichita

  • Ninza Sushi Bar, 8641 W. 13th St., Suite 103 in Wichita

  • Papa Murphy’s, 2712 S. Seneca in Wichita

  • Petroleum Club of Wichita, 100 N. Broadway, Suite 900 in Wichita

  • Premier Food Service at the Wichita Public Schools Alvin E. Morris Administration Center, 903 S. Edgemoor in Wichita

  • Premier Food Service at Credit Union of America, 711 W. Douglas in Wichita

  • Premier Food Service at King of Freight, 605 S. Wichita in Wichita

  • R Coffee House, 1144 N. Bitting in Wichita

  • Siena Tuscan Steakhouse, 104 S. Broadway in Wichita

  • Sonic Drive-In, 20000 W. U.S. Highway 54 in Goddard

  • Sport Burger Drive-In, 134 N. Hillside in Wichita

  • Taco Alex, 711 W. 25th St. North in Wichita

  • Thai House, 969 N. West St. in Wichita

  • Tortilleria Rodriguez, 1857-59 N. Waco in Wichita

  • Walmart Neighborhood Market, 1106 S. Rock Road in Derby

  • Wow Cakes, 4327 W. 13th St. in Wichita

  • Yo-B Yogurt & Burgers, 303 N. Mead in Wichita

  • Ze German Markt, 2721 E. Central, Suite 202 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.