Restaurants, hotels in Wichita fail for cockroaches, pink slime, rotting food & more

Amy Renee Leiker
·16 min read

Nineteen restaurants, hotels and other businesses in Sedgwick County were out of compliance during food safety and lodging inspections conducted by the Kansas Department of Agriculture over the past three weeks.

Information about the establishments and their violations appears below in an alphabetical list with a summary of the problems inspectors found. More details are posted in The Eagle’s searchable database of non-compliant restaurant and hotel inspections at www.kansas.com/databases. This list includes inspections from Aug. 20 to Sept. 9 and is broken down by week. It was compiled Sept. 13.

The 140 establishments that passed inspections during the same time period also appear alphabetically below. Some may have been non-compliant in previous weeks, including those listed in this article.

Business owners or managers who want to clarify or comment on inspection results can contact Eagle reporter Amy Renee Leiker at 316-268-6644 or aleiker@wichitaeagle.com. Comments will be added to online stories.

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, like bug and rodent infestations.

It’s rare for an facility to shut down over a failed inspection, but it can happen. Circumstances that can lead to a closure include sewage backups, ongoing or untreated pest problems, and if a business operates without water, power or refrigeration. Usually closures are temporary.

When an establishment fails, it’s typically inspected again within 10 days.

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

Out-of-compliance inspections

Sept. 3-9

El Azteca Mexican Restaurant, 111 N. Main in Haysville — Three violations on Sept. 6 during a follow-up inspection. Pan of rice in steam well was temperature non-compliant, milk wasn’t cold enough in refrigeration, chemicals and cold medicine were stored with food items above preparation table. Next inspection: Nov. 6.

Great Wall Chinese Restaurant, 410 N. Hillside, Suite 600 in Wichita — Twelve violations on Sept. 6 during a complaint inspection. Fried chicken nuggets and fried rice were temperature non-compliant, restaurant doesn’t use sanitizing solution for dishes, no probe-style food thermometer, trash cans blocked sink, raw meats were stored on shelf above raw onions, back door was propped open which can let in pests, no testing strips for sanitizer, build up of grease and food debris on equipment, dirty conditions in restaurant, employee washed hands at dedicated food preparation sink. Next inspection: Sept. 16.

Kung Fu Tea, 1625 S. Rock Road, Suite 129 in Wichita — Three violations on Sept. 5 during a routine inspection. Employee didn’t know about dishwashing process or if restaurant had sanitizer testing strips, restaurant was selling macaroons from bakery with no food processing license, cooked boba was temperature non-compliant. Next inspection: Sept. 15.

McDonald’s, 1050 N. Broadway in Wichita — Four violations on Sept. 8 during a routine inspection. Fly on lettuce, backflow prevention issue at mop sink, dozens of flies in kitchen and in other areas of restaurant, flies got into building through drive-thru window because air curtains weren’t being used. Next inspection: Sept. 18.

Quality Suites, 658 S. Westdale Drive in Wichita — Three violations on Sept. 7 during a follow-up inspection. No paper towels at kitchen hand-washing sink, no sanitizer at three-compartment sink, no probe-style food thermometer on site. Next inspection: Oct. 31.

Aug. 27 to Sept. 2

Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Store, 444 E. Pawnee in Wichita — Six violations on Aug. 31 during a complaint inspection. Whipped cream wasn’t labeled with opening date, no paper towels at bathroom sink, missing records, cockroach found, flies, food debris on equipment, refrigerated food was temperature non-compliant. The restaurant was still out of compliance during a Sept. 11 follow-up inspection.

Crown Uptown Theatre, 3207 E. Douglas in Wichita — Four violations on Aug. 31 during a routine inspection. Foods weren’t labeled with package opening dates, grime on soda nozzles, no probe-style food thermometer, unlabeled chemical bottle. The venue was in compliance on Sept. 5.

Fat Ernie’s Family Dining, 2806 S. Hydraulic in Wichita — Twenty-two violations on Aug. 30 during a routine inspection. Cockroach infestation and flies, employees didn’t wash hands, employee washed hands at wrong sink, refrigerated foods were temperature non-compliant, foods were labeled with incorrect or no preparation date, unlabeled chemical bottle, menu advisory issue, missing and broken tiles, leaky sink, no paper towels at hand-washing sink, condensation from employee’s drink cup touched food slicer and other equipment, hot food was temperature non-compliant, no test strips for sanitizers, pink slime on ice machine, no hand-washing sink in back of kitchen, dirt and grime on kitchen floor and debris on storage room wall, potatoes stored by tub of sanitizer and wiping cloths, insecticide stored above food items. Next scheduled inspection: Sept. 9.

FioRito Ristorante, 3134 E. Douglas in Wichita — Eight violations on Sept. 1 during a routine inspection. Refrigerated foods were temperature non-compliant, employee touched bread with bare hands, several old foods including sausage and meatballs, dirty pans in clean storage, restaurant isn’t cleared to vacuum package cured pork on site, employee didn’t wash hands, undercooked egg items on menu had no reminder warning of consumption risk, inadequate backflow prevention on mop sink. Next scheduled inspection: Sept. 11.

KS Smoke Shop & Grocery, 5701 E. Lincoln in Wichita — Ten violations on Aug. 30 during a routine inspection. Dirty conditions in kitchen and food preparation areas, accumulation of items contributing to pest problems, raw eggs stored above ready-to-consume food, greasy and dirty fryer and grill in kitchen and dirty cold-holding unit, chemicals stored above food-related items and preparation areas, moldy jalapeno burger, old gyro meat, brown debris on soda machine nozzles, no probe-style food thermometer, dozens of ants on grease trap. The shop passed its Aug. 29 follow-up inspection.

New Lemongrass: Taste of Vietnam, 300 N. Mead, Suite 108 in Wichita — Four violations on Aug. 28 during a modified complaint inspection. Heavy build up of grease and food debris on kitchen equipment, roach infestation that included bugs crawling on kitchen and food preparation items and in food, restaurant didn’t close and tell the Kansas Department of Agriculture about its roach problem, dirty floors and baseboards were food source for pests. The restaurant remained out of compliance during a Sept. 12 reopening inspection.

Tianluo Bistro, 11309 E. Kellogg Drive, Suite 200 in Wichita — Fourteen violations on Aug. 29 during a complaint inspection. Several foods in refrigeration were temperature non-compliant, fly strips hanging over surfaces that come into contact with food, thermometer doesn’t read below 50 degrees, flies landing on counters and items that touch food, food stored on walk-in cooler floor, produce stored in plastic sacks instead of food-grade containers, no test strips for chlorine sanitizer, raw eggs stored above vegetables in cooler, personal items in dirty packages were stored in cooler, back kitchen door propped open without a netting or screen, unlabeled chemical bottler, moldy duck in cooler, cooked chicken was temperature non-compliant, greasy and dirty kitchen conditions. Next scheduled inspection: Sept. 8.

Aug. 20-26

Dairy Queen Treat/Orange Julius (inside Towne East Square), 7700 E. Kellogg Drive in Wichita — Two violations on Aug. 21 during a follow-up inspection. Non-compliant food temperatures, no paper towels at a hand-washing sink. Next inspection: Oct. 21.

Dairy Queen Grill & Chill Restaurant, 1520 S. Webb, Suite 100 in Wichita — Four violations on Aug. 25 during a routine inspection. No paper towels at a hand-washing sink, hot gravy and refrigerated foods were temperature non-compliant, unlabeled chemical bottle. The restaurant passed a Sept. 5 follow-up inspection.

El Azteca Mexican Restaurant, 111 N. Main in Haysville — Sixteen violations on Aug. 24 during a routine inspection. Employee didn’t wash hands, soiled towels on counters and in preparation areas, raw meats stored over ready-to-eat foods, foods were not dated, dirty items, flies, cold medicine stored above glasses, no sanitizers in use, employee was living and sleeping in storage area, hot and refrigerated foods were temperature non-compliant, unlabeled chemical bottle, plugged floor drain, no paper towels at hand-washing sink, no sanitizer testing strips on site, dirty floors. The restaurant was still out of compliance during a Sept. 6 inspection.

Los Compadres Mexican Grill, 3213 N. Toben in Wichita — Three violations on Aug. 25 during an inspection that was a follow-up to an administrative order. Raw chorizo was touching pre-cooked food, improper hand-washing, refrigerated foods were temperature non-compliant. Next inspection: Oct. 25.

Papa Johns Pizza, 625 N. Rock Road in Derby — Four violations on Aug. 21 during a complaint inspection. Dirty knives in clean storage, flies on dough and throughout kitchen, sauce wasn’t marked with time it had been sitting at room temperature. The restaurant passed a Sept. 1 follow-up inspection.

Quality Suites, 658 S. Westdale in Wichita — Eleven violations on Aug. 24 during a routine inspection. No paper towels at hand-washing sink, bugs including fruit flies and crickets in building, trash and other debris on floor and in piles, no sanitizer testing strips, clutter and trash in several rooms, refrigerated food was temperature non-compliant, no ambient air thermometer in cooler, no dishwashing soap available, orange juice in juice machine drainboard and wet towels soaking up juice below machine, dead crickets throughout, no probe-style food thermometer. The hotel was still out of compliance on Sept. 7.

Super 8 by Wyndham Wichita North, 3741 N. Rock Road in Wichita — Three violations on Aug. 25 during a routine inspection. Waffle batter was temperature non-compliant, no probe-style food thermometer, no paper towels at hand-washing sink. The hotel was in compliance during a Sept. 5 follow-up inspection.

How to complain about conditions

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, call the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at 877-427-7317 or file a report at 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

  • 7 Brew Coffee, 11465 E. 21st St. in Wichita

  • Adams Elementary School, 1002 N. Oliver in Wichita

  • AFC Sushi (inside Dillons), 640 N. West St. in Wichita

  • Aloft Wichita Northeast, 3642 N. Oliver in Wichita

  • American Legion Post #4, 816 N. Water in Wichita

  • Amigo Duros Y Tostada (mobile vendor/food truck), 625 S. Custer in Wichita

  • Anderson Elementary School, 2945 S. Victoria in Wichita

  • Antojitos Guanamex, 1425 E. Central in Wichita

  • Arby’s, 2425 S. Seneca in Wichita

  • Ardent Mills Wichita Mill, 715 E. 13th St. in Wichita

  • Axe to Grind, 220 S. Commerce in Wichita

  • Benton Elementary School, 338 S. Woodchuck in Wichita

  • Blalock’s Seafood Restaurant, 803 N. West St. in Wichita

  • Bostic Traditional Magnet Elementary School, 8103 E. Gilbert in Wichita

  • Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Store, 440 N. Tyler in Wichita

  • Brazita’s Commissary Kitchen, 615 S. Terrace in Wichita

  • Brooks Center for STEM and Arts Magnet Middle School, 3802 E. 27th St. North in Wichita

  • Bryant Opportunity Academy, 4702 W. Ninth St. in Wichita

  • Budget Motel, 1315 S. Broadway in Wichita

  • Burger King, 2309 S. Seneca in Wichita

  • Caldwell Elementary School, 1441 S. Edgemoor in Wichita

  • Cappuccino Connections (mobile vendor/food truck), 1304 N. Doris in Wichita

  • CB Manufacturing Company Inc., 101 W. 48th St. South in Wichita

  • Champs 316 Bar & Grill, 1106 S. Seneca in Wichita

  • Chili’s Grill & Bar, 7887 E. Central in Wichita

  • Christ the King Catholic School, 4501 W. Maple in Wichita

  • Circle Greenwich Elementary School, 3250 N. Greenwich Rd. in Wichita

  • Cox Farm, 6059 S. Seneca in Wichita

  • Crown Uptown Theatre, 3207 E. Douglas in Wichita

  • Daikon Cafe, 6157 E. Harry in Wichita

  • Delux Inn, 8401 W. Kellogg Drive in Wichita

  • Derby Middle School, 801 E. Madison in Derby

  • Dillons, 3707 N. Woodlawn in Wichita

  • Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, 1520 S. Webb, Suite 100 in Wichita

  • Dunkin’ Donuts, 2560 N. Rock Road in Derby

  • Dutch Bros Coffee, 2610 N. Greenwich Court in Wichita

  • El Gordo Mexican Food, 11333 E. Central in Wichita

  • El Pollo Dorado, 128 W. 21st St. in Wichita

  • Emperor’s Japanese Grill, 11330 E. Central, Suite 100 in Wichita

  • Family Dollar, 355 W. 21st St. in Wichita

  • Family Dollar, 2301 S. Seneca in Wichita

  • Firehouse Subs, 2755 N. Maize Road, Suite 111 in Wichita

  • Friends University, 2111 W. University in Wichita

  • Frost, 3429 E. Douglas in Wichita

  • Fujisan Sushi (at Sam’s Club), 3415 N. Rock Road in Wichita

  • Fun Time Concessions (mobile vendor/food truck), 522 N. Hampton in Wichita

  • Gammon Elementary School, 3240 N. Rushwood in Wichita

  • Grace Market, 1030 S. Oliver in Wichita

  • Great American Cookies, 7700 E. Kellogg Drive, Space G06-D in Wichita

  • Great Wall Chinese Restaurant, 13303 W. Maple, Suite 105 in Wichita

  • Hall’s Culligan Water, 10821 E. 26th St. North in Wichita

  • Hawthorn Suites & Hotel Wichita East, 411 S. Webb in Wichita

  • Heritage Inn of Wichita, 4539 S. Broadway in Wichita

  • The Hill Bar & Grill, 4800 E. Douglas in Wichita

  • HomeGrown, 645 E. Douglas, Suite 102 in Wichita

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

  • Icy-T, 3700 E. Douglas, Unit 2 in Wichita

  • In the Air Smokes & Snacks, 1419 1/2 E. Central in Wichita

  • Jardine Middle School, 3550 E. Ross Parkway in Wichita

  • Jodee B’s Catering, 1525 N. Lorraine in Wichita

  • Jump Start, 895 S. Woodlawn in Wichita

  • Jump Start, 730 N. Broadway in Wichita

  • Kelly Elementary School, 3143 S. Millwood in Wichita

  • Kensler Elementary School, 1030 N. Wilbur in Wichita

  • Kimlan Sandwiches, 1035 N. Broadway in Wichita

  • Kwik Shop, 2424 W. 37th St. North in Wichita

  • LaMar’s Donuts and Coffee (LaMar’s 33 LLC), 10051 W. 21st St. in Wichita

  • Las Islas Marias, 2150 N. Amidon in Wichita

  • Little Caesars Pizza, 1353 S. Webb, Suite 109 in Wichita

  • Local Roasters Co., 2828 E. Douglas in Wichita

  • L’Ouverture Career Exploration and Technology Magnet Elementary School, 1539 N. Ohio in Wichita

  • Lumpia Lady (mobile vendor/food truck), 6946 E. 35th Court North in Wichita

  • Magnolia Cafe, 2424 N. Woodlawn, Suite 111 in Wichita

  • Maize Central Elementary School, 304 W. Academy in Maize

  • Maize Elementary School, 305 W. Jones in Maize

  • Mark 8 Inn, 1130 N. Broadway in Wichita

  • McCollom Elementary School, 1201 N. Waddington in Wichita

  • Mi Sueno Enterprises, 1542 S. Market in Wichita

  • Mirai Ramen and Sushi, 6254 E. 37th St. North, Suite 180 in Bel Aire

  • Morrison Management Specialists at Kansas Spine and Specialty Hospital, 3333 N. Webb in Wichita

  • Napoli Italian Eatery, 7718 E. 37th St. North, Suite 500 in Wichita

  • Northrock Lanes, 3232 N. Rock Road in Wichita

  • OK Elementary School, 1607 N. West St. in Wichita

  • Oak & Pie, 2244 N. Greenwich, Suite 900 in Wichita

  • Oaklawn Elementary School, 5000 S. Clifton in Wichita

  • Off the Wheaten Path (mobile vendor/food truck), 1914 S. Honeytree in Wichita

  • The Old Spaghetti Factory, 1421 N. Waterfront Parkway in Wichita

  • Panda Cafe, 4900 E. Pawnee in Wichita

  • Panera Bread, 2441 N. Maize Road, Suite 115 in Wichita

  • PaPa C’s Backyard BBQ (mobile vendor/food truck), 115 N. Charles in Wichita

  • Papa Johns Pizza, 625 N. Rock Road in Derby

  • Papa Johns Pizza, 8620 W. McCormick in Wichita

  • Paul B. Cooper Elementary, 4625 S. Juniper in Wichita

  • Pizza Hut, 6505 E. 37th St. North, Suite 100 in Wichita

  • Polka Pierogi, 10025 W. Central in Wichita

  • Premier Food Service at Figeac Aero, 9313 E. 39th St. North in Wichita

  • Premier Food Service at Johnson Controls, 3110 N. Mead in Wichita

  • QuikTrip, 1430 N. Nelson Drive in Derby

  • QuikTrip, 1532 S. Seneca in Wichita

  • Red Robin, 7355 W. Taft in Wichita

  • RibCrib BBQ & Grill, 1440 N. Rock Road in Derby

  • River City Sweet Shop, 2401 W. 13th St. in Wichita

  • Road Runner Mexican Fast Food, 2420 S. Oliver in Wichita

  • Robinson Middle School, 328 N. Oliver in Wichita

  • Ross Dress for Less, 2441 N. Maize Road, Suite 901 in Wichita

  • Roxie’s on the River, 245 N. Waco in Wichita

  • Sam & Nancy’s Cafe Hot Dog Cart (mobile vendor/food truck), 151 N. Main in Wichita

  • Sam’s Club, 3415 N. Rock Road in Wichita

  • Seltzer Elementary School, 11660 E. Lincoln in Wichita

  • Sno Yo! (mobile vendor/food truck), 7200 W. 13th St. in Wichita

  • Spangles, 1138 W. Pawnee in Wichita

  • St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School, 645 N. 119th St. West in Wichita

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

  • Starbucks, 3000 N. Rock Road, Suite 4000 in Wichita

  • Stone Creek Elementary School, 3012 N. Triple Creek Drive in Derby

  • Subway, 6218 E. 37th St. North in Bel Aire

  • Sunflour Cafe & Collective, 6120 W. Central in Wichita

  • Super 8 by Wyndham Wichita North, 3741 N. Rock Road in Wichita

  • Sweet Pop’s Inc., 2130 N. Tyler, Suite 80 in Wichita

  • Taco Bell, 3725 E. Harry in Wichita

  • Taco Shop, 6825 E. 21st St. in Wichita

  • Tacos Mexican Fast Food, 1930 E. Pawnee in Wichita

  • Tortilleria Paleteria El Guero, 3750 W. Douglas in Wichita

  • University Friends Church, 1840 W. University in Wichita

  • Valley Feed & Seed, 1903 S. Meridian in Wichita

  • Vermillion Elementary School, 501 S. James in Maize

  • Vita Bella, 9310 W. Central in Wichita

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

  • Wendy’s, 1131 N. Rock Road in Derby

  • Wichita Brewing Company Event Venue, 6160 E. Central in Wichita

  • Wichita Cheesecake Company, 801 E. Douglas, Suite 110 in Wichita

  • Wichita Country Club Poolside Cafe, 8501 E. 13th St. in Wichita

  • Wichita Country Club, 8501 E. 13th St. in Wichita

  • Wichita Heights High School, 5301 N. Hillside in Wichita

  • Wichita Northwest High School, 1220 N. Tyler in Wichita

  • Wichita Southeast High School, 2641 S. 127th St. East in Wichita

  • Wilbur Middle School, 340 N. Tyler in Wichita

  • Willowleaf Bakery and Coffee Bar, 117 N. Main in Cheney

  • XY Bar, 235 N. Mosley in Wichita

  • Yokohama Ramen Izakaya, 6434 E. Central in Wichita

Note: Occasionally an address listed — especially for mobile vendors and food trucks — is not where food is actually served to the public. Contact those establishments directly for specific service locations.