Fifteen restaurants, hotels and other businesses in Wichita and surrounding towns were out of compliance during food safety and lodging inspections conducted by the Kansas Department of Agriculture from Aug. 11-17.
They were cited for a number of violations, including employees who didn’t wash their hands, bottles of chemicals that weren’t labeled, undercooked chicken, moldy vegetables, salad bar items that weren’t kept cold enough, foods that weren’t stored properly, sinks that didn’t work correctly, flies, dead and living roaches, bed bugs 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. The list includes inspections conducted in Sedgwick County. It was compiled on Aug. 14.
More than 60 establishments passed inspections during that same time. 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
Barone Coffee inside Towne East Square, 7700 E. Kellogg Drive, Suite K118-1 in Wichita — Five violations on Aug. 12 during its first operational inspection after licensing. No probe-style food thermometer on site, an employee didn’t wash their hands before putting on gloves to make coffee, an employee handled money then made several drinks without changing his gloves or washing his hands, prepackaged sandwiches had bloated packaging and a hash brown patty wasn’t cold enough in a display case, no paper towels at a hand-washing sink. Next inspection: Aug. 22.
Baymont Inn & Suites by Wyndham Wichita East , 12111 E. Central in Wichita — Three violations on Aug. 15 during a complaint inspection. A spray bottle of purple liquid wasn’t labeled, waffle mix wasn’t marked with the time it was removed from refrigeration, the hotel had no way of measuring temperature or verifying that water temperature is hot enough to sanitize dishes. Next inspection: Aug. 25.
Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store , 201 N. Seneca in Wichita — Seven violations on Aug. 16 during a routine inspection. The concentration of chlorine sanitizer in sanitizing buckets was too strong, chicken breast wasn’t cooked long enough, no paper towels at kitchen hand-washing sink, several foods including ham and cream cheese didn’t cool down quickly enough in the refrigerator, moldy tomatoes, cockroaches on a desk and under the ice cream station, eggs were left out at room temperature. Next inspection: Aug. 26.
Golden Corral Buffet & Grill , 616 S. Ridge Road in Wichita — Two violations on Aug. 16 during a complaint inspection. Tuna and other cold salads on the salad bar weren’t kept cold enough, there was no cold water under pressure at a fixture in a meat preparation room. Next inspection: Aug. 26.
Hawthorn Suites & Hotel by Wyndham Wichita East , 411 S. Webb in Wichita — Two violations on Aug. 15 during a follow-up inspection. The hotel doesn’t have a probe-style food thermometer or sanitizer testing strips. Next inspection: Aug. 25.
The JukeBox , 1300 S. Seneca in Wichita — Two violations on Aug. 12 during a routine inspection. The business didn’t have a probe-style food thermometer, a spray bottle of chemical wasn’t labeled with its contents. The JukeBox was in compliance at its Aug. 22 follow-up inspection.
Kung Fu Tea , 2021 N. Amidon, Suite 140 in Wichita — Four violations on Aug. 15 during a routine inspection. Batches of boba pearls weren’t labeled with the time they were prepared or removed from temperature control, no soap or hot water at some hand-washing sinks, carton of whipping cream wasn’t labeled with its opening date. Next inspection: Aug. 25.
Lee’s Chinese Restaurant , 6215 W. Kellogg Drive in Wichita — Eleven violations on Aug. 15 during a complaint inspection. An employee touched his phone then touched soup bowls without washing his hands, spray bottle of red liquid sanitizer wasn’t labeled with its contents, raw chicken and raw eggs were stored above raw vegetables in the cooler, tong handles were touching raw vegetables, ice scoop handle was touching ice, miso soup was sitting at room temperature, employees weren’t washing their hands at sinks dedicated to hand-washing, raw chicken and vegetables including pea and carrot mix and water chestnuts weren’t cold enough in a refrigerated preparation table, the restaurant was storing raw chicken in T-shirt bags instead of food-grade containers, an employee was touching ready-to-eat food for customers with their bare hands, gallon of milk wasn’t labeled with its opening date. Next inspection: Aug. 25.
Mexico Viejo Mexican Restaurant , 6960 W. 21st St. in Wichita — Nine violations on Aug. 12 during a routine inspection. Pans of raw chicken and raw steaks were stored above ready-to-eat peppers and grilled onions, meats including pork ribs and hot dogs weren’t labeled with their package opening or preparation dates, shredded pork wasn’t kept hot enough in a hot holding unit, an employee washed but didn’t dry their hands before putting on gloves, no hot water at kitchen hand-washing sink, several foods including raw meat and vegetables weren’t cold enough in a refrigerated preparation table, the hot water knob at a kitchen hand-washing sink didn’t work, no paper towels at hand-washing sinks, the restaurant didn’t keep harvest or dealer tags for oysters for 90 days. Next inspection: Aug. 22.
Prairie Donuts , 1652 S. Rock Road in Wichita — Two violations on Aug. 15 during a routine inspection. The restaurant didn’t have any sanitizer during the inspection, grease and flour buildup throughout the kitchen. Next inspection: Aug. 25.
Super Mercado Del Pueblo , 2128 N. Broadway in Wichita — Five violations on Aug. 14 during a follow-up inspection. Flies were landing on a cutting board and a food preparation table that were being used, the inspector saw dozens of flies in several places including in the meat preparation area and kitchen, a full dumpster directly behind the building was covered in flies, fly glue trap next to the receiving door was “covered entirely in dead flies,” pepper under kitchen preparation table was moldy and attracting flies. Next inspection: Oct. 14.
Tom’s Lotus Garden , 822 S. Broadway in Wichita — Three violations on Aug. 16 during a follow-up inspection. Dead roaches throughout kitchen floor, dead bug on top of ice in the ice machine, the inspector saw live roaches on sticky traps in the kitchen and also crawling on the kitchen floor. Next inspection: Oct. 16.
Towne Place Suites by Marriott Wichita East , 9444 E. 29th St. North in Wichita — Eight violations on Aug. 14 during a complaint inspection. Bottles of floor cleaner and multi-surface cleaner weren’t labeled, the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet in one room’s bathroom wasn’t working, moldy and peeling caulking around bathtub, the hotel didn’t report a bed bug infestation in one room, bed bugs in at least one room, no smoke alarms in the boiler room and one hotel room, the hotel didn’t keep a year’s worth of smoke alarm records on site, no records showing the carbon monoxide detector in the laundry room had been checked every six months. Next inspection: Aug. 24.
U Hungry Truck (mobile vendor/food truck), 4701 N. Glendale in Bel Aire — Three violations on Aug. 12 during a follow-up inspection. An employee handled money but didn’t wash his hands before putting on gloves to serve customer food, employee handled food after touching cash, cheese and vegetables weren’t kept cold enough in a cooler. Next inspection: Oct. 12.
Wichita Fellowship Club , 2206 E. 101st St. North in Valley Center — Five violations on Aug. 11 during a routine inspection. Raw eggs were stored above boxes of candy in a reach-in cooler, a gap at the bottom of the back door can let pests in the building, roaches under a reach-in cooler in the kitchen, no test strips on site to measure the concentration of sanitizer, employee didn’t wash hands between touching dirty and clean dishes. Next inspection: Aug. 21.
Cockroaches by pitchers. Mold. Dead bugs. Wichita KS restaurant, hotel inspections
Roaches on ice machine. Flies. Ants. 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 voluntary and due to major things like sewage backups, pest problems, and water or power outages. Typically, closures are temporary.
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 where 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, 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
- 7 Brew Coffee , 3031 E. Central in Wichita
- Arby’s , 3421 N. Rock Road in Wichita
- The Arcade , 906 E. Third St. in Wichita
- Athens Gyros Express , 2800 E. Central in Wichita
- Broadway Smoke & Convenience Store , 1205 S. Broadway in Wichita
- Buffalo Wild Wings , 3236 N. Rock Road in Wichita
- Bumblebee Barbeque LLC (mobile vendor/food truck), 515 N. Dexter in Valley Center
- Caldwell Elementary School , 1441 S. Edgemoor in Wichita
- Carlos O’Kelly’s , 4872 S. Broadway in Wichita
- Central Palace , 4331 W. Central in Wichita
- Chicken N Pickle , 1240 N. Greenwich in Wichita
- Chipotle Mexican Grill , 1700 N. Rock Road in Derby
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Wichita East , 333 S. Webb in Wichita
- Creations Restaurant , 4996 N.E. 150th Ave. in Cheney
- Dandurand Drug Co. , 7732 E. Central in Wichita
- Dillons , 5500 E. Harry in Wichita
- Doc Green’s Gourmet Salads & Grill , 410 N. Hillside, Suite 1000 in Wichita
- Dollar General Store , 420 N. Baltimore in Derby
- Domino’s Pizza , 2417 S. Seneca, Suite A in Wichita
- Domino’s Pizza , 4734 S. Broadway in Wichita
- E&J’s Eatery , 200 W. Main in Valley Center
- El Gordo Mexican Food , 11333 E. Central in Wichita
- El Gusto (mobile vendor/food truck), 1601 N. Meridian in Wichita
- Emperor’s Japanese Grill , 11330 E. Central, Suite 100 in Wichita
- Face Stuffers Bradfords Eatery (mobile vendor/food truck), 153 N. Tyler Road in Wichita
- FujiSan Sushi , 3415 N. Rock Road in Wichita
- Global Smoke and Grocery , 220 W. Harry in Wichita
- Hangar One Steak House , 5925 W. Kellogg Drive in Wichita
- HTeaO , 1280 N. Tyler Road in Wichita
- ICT Convenience Store & Tobacco , 240 S. West St., Suite 10 in Wichita
- Il Primo Espresso Caffe at the Epic Center, 301 N. Main, Suite 150 in Wichita
- Java Villa Cafe , 7812 E. Harry in Wichita
- Jump Start , 7200 S. Broadway in Haysville
- L.G.M.L. - Life Gave Me Lemons (mobile vendor/food truck), 1527 E. Del Mar in Wichita
- La Tlaxcaltena Food and Candy , 1608 E. Harry in Wichita
- Los Compadres Mexican Grill , 3213 N. Toben in Wichita
- Marco’s Pizza , 3305 W. Central in Wichita
- Mokas Cafe , 143 N. McLean in Wichita
- Nicebites Bakery/Poppie’s Cafe at the Ruffin Building, 9111 E. Douglas in Wichita
- O’Malley’s Irish Pub , 2405 W. 31st St. South in Wichita
- Pizza Hut , 410 N. Hillside in Wichita
- Powerhouse Nutrition ICT , 4100 E. Harry, Suite 40 in Wichita
- Primos Food Truck (mobile vendor/food truck), 2027 N. Payne in Wichita
- QuikTrip , 2821 E. 31st St. South in Wichita
- QuikTrip , 6011 W. Central in Wichita
- QuikTrip , 1620 S. Webb in Wichita
- Road Runner Mexican Fast Food , 2420 S. Oliver in Wichita
- Sam & Nancy’s Cafe Hot Dog Cart (mobile vendor/food truck), 151 N. Main in Wichita
- Savor.... Orpheum at the Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway in Wichita
- The Shared Kitchen , 926 W. Harry in Wichita
- SK Donuts , 133 N. Main in Haysville
- Sonic Drive-In , 2313 W. Pawnee in Wichita
- Spangles , 410 E. 47th St. South in Wichita
- Sur La Table , 2142 N. Rock Road in Wichita
- Swig , 3080 N. Maize Road, Suite 700 in Wichita
- Taco Shop , 6825 E. 21st St. in Wichita
- Village Inn , 1200 N. Rock Road in Derby
- Wendy’s , 555 S. Broadway in Wichita
- Wendy’s , 2119 N. Maize Road in Wichita
- Wichita Cheesecake Company , 801 E. Douglas, Suite 110 in Wichita
- Wichita Northeast Magnet High School , 5550 N. Lycee in Bel Aire
- Wichita Inn , 8220 E. Kellogg Drive in Wichita
- Wizard’s Alley , 114 N. St. Francis, Suite 200 in Wichita
- Wyndham Garden Wichita Downtown , 221 E. Kellogg Drive in Wichita
- Ya Ya’s Eurobistro , 8115 E. 21st St. 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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