Rodent feces, mislabeled fish, no sanitizer, old food & more at Wichita restaurants
Eleven restaurants, hotels and other businesses that serve or sell food in Wichita and surrounding Sedgwick County towns were out of compliance during food safety and lodging inspections conducted by the Kansas Department of Agriculture from Nov. 3-9.
The businesses were cited for a number of violations, including rodent feces, mislabeled fish, cross-contamination risk because foods weren’t stored properly, old tomatoes, employees who skipped washing their hands or didn’t wash them correctly, no plans for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea, propped-open doors and more, according to inspection reports.
Information about the businesses, as well as a summary of their violations, appears below. The businesses listed are all located in Sedgwick County. The list was compiled Nov. 12 using information available in the KDA’s statewide inspections database on that date.
At least 45 businesses passed their inspections during the same period. 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 [email protected] 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.
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Out-of-compliance inspections
BC’s Bar & Grill, 4423 S. Broadway in Wichita — Five violations on Nov. 5 during a complaint inspection. Violations include doors that were propped open, salsa didn’t have a date marking, old tomato, fresh rodent droppings observed on shelf next to food spray and clean bowls, fresh rodent droppings in kitchen and office area, opened container of half and half had no date marking. Next inspection: Nov. 15.
Brooks Center for STEM and Arts Magnet Middle School, 3802 E. 27th St. North in Wichita — Two violations on Nov. 8 during a routine inspection. Violations include fresh and dried rodent droppings in a dry storage room along a wall and by food utensils, fresh droppings observed on the floor. Next inspection: Nov. 18.
Chuck’s Hot Chicken, 2625 W. Pawnee in Wichita — One violation on Nov. 8 during a follow-up inspection. Hot water at a three-compartment sink was below the required temperature. Next inspection: Jan. 8, 2025.
La Michoacana Ice Cream (mobile vendor/food truck), 829 W. Maple in Wichita — One violation on Nov. 8 during a modified complaint inspection. The business was selling pizza by the slice from pre-made pizza purchased at Costco, McChicken sandwiches were also advertised for sale. Next inspection: Jan. 8, 2025.
Lokal Eatz LLC (mobile vendor/food truck), 5210 E. 21st St. in Wichita — Seven violations on Nov. 5 during its first operational inspection after licensing. Violations include cooked rice and noodles left out at room temperature for too long, raw shell eggs weren’t kept cold enough, fried chicken nuggets and chopped fried chicken weren’t kept hot enough, no food probe thermometer on site, dedicated hand-washing sink was blocked by a case of lids, unlabeled chemicals including window cleaner and multi-purpose cleaner, food offered for sale was prepared in an unlicensed commissary kitchen. Next inspection: Nov. 15.
MainStay Suites Wichita Northeast, 3141 N. Webb in Wichita — Three repeat violations on Nov. 5 during a follow-up inspection. Violations include emergency lighting not working, no sign alerting guests that the hotel is “pet-friendly,” ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet was not working in one room. Next inspection: Jan. 5, 2025.
Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast, 8131 E. Kellogg Drive, Suite 13D in Wichita — Seven violations on Nov. 4 during its first operational inspection after licensing. Violations include hand-washing sink used to store dirty blenders, unlabeled containers of chemicals including sanitizer and degreaser, employee washed dishes and prepared food with the same gloves, ranch dressing was not kept cold, no sanitizer available, blenders were not sanitized, no written plan for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea. Next inspection: Nov. 14.
Panda Kitchen Express, 217 S. Meridian in Valley Center — Two violations on Nov. 7 during a routine inspection. Violations include employee washing hands in a three-compartment sink instead of in a dedicated hand-washing sink, hot water in restrooms did not reach required temperatures. The business was in compliance, with no violations noted, during a follow-up inspection on Nov. 12.
Sapporo Japanese Sushi Restaurant, 8065 E. Peachtree Lane in Wichita — Fourteen violations on Nov. 8 during a routine inspection. Violations include employee washing hands at the wrong sink, several foods including eggs and shrimp tempura weren’t kept hot or cold enough, escolar was mislabeled on menu as white tuna, employee didn’t use soap to wash their hands, cross-contamination risk because raw meat and fish were stored above or by ready-to-eat foods, raw tuna thawing in intact vacuum packaging, employees didn’t use single-use gloves properly, a container of bean sprouts was too warm, wiping cloths were stored in soap and water instead of in sanitizer solution, no chlorine sanitizer test strips, no sign in bathroom reminding employees to wash their hands, no plan for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea, an employee rinsed a knife in a sink dedicated to hand-washing. Next inspection: Nov. 18.
Tianluo Bistro, 11309 E. Kellogg Drive, Suite 200 in Wichita — Five violations on Nov. 7 during a follow-up inspection. Violations include an employee who didn’t dry their hands after washing them, cabbage and other foods including beef and noodles weren’t cold enough due to refrigeration issues, raw chicken was stored directly above a container of cooked noodles, back kitchen door was propped open, employee washed hands at a three-compartment sink instead of at a dedicated hand-washing sink. Next inspection: Jan. 7, 2025.
Wichita Hoops at Bel Aire, 5260 N. Toler Drive in Bel Aire — Four violations on Nov. 9 during its first operational inspection after licensing. Violations include sanitizer stored improperly next to paper plates, hot water in restrooms did not reach the required temperature, no food thermometer available, no hand drying provisions at concession stand hand-washing sink. Next inspection: Nov. 19.
The violation summaries above were compiled and drafted with the help of AI tools. They were fact-checked for accuracy and edited by Wichita Eagle journalists.
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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, and more. But most violations are minor and are corrected during an inspection.
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 the result of 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.
What to do if you have a complaint
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 [email protected] 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 was 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.
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These businesses passed inspections
American Legion Post #273-Arthur Gossett, 1335 N. Hydraulic in Wichita
Apollo Elementary School, 16158 W. Apollo in Goddard
The Beacon Restaurant, 909 E. Douglas in Wichita
Beech Elementary School, 1830 S. Cypress in Wichita
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, 125 N. Quentin in Wichita
Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store, 550 E. 47th St. South in Wichita
Bricktown Brewery, 2142 N. Tyler Road in Wichita
Burger King (in Kwik Shop), 5340 N. Maize Road in Maize
Burger King, 2111 N. Woodlawn in Wichita
Casey’s General Store, 222 S. Meridian in Valley Center
Cessna Elementary School, 2101 W. 45th St. South in Wichita
Clark Davidson Elementary School, 333 S. Walnut in Goddard
Dillons, 3211 S. Seneca in Wichita
Doc Green’s Gourmet Salads & Grill, 2441 N. Maize Road in Wichita
Dunkin’ Donuts, 3100 E. Central in Wichita
Earhart Environmental Magnet Elementary School, 4401 N. Arkansas in Wichita
Eisenhower Middle School, 16152 W. Explorer in Goddard
Fazoli’s, 8520 W. Central in Wichita
Hampton Inn & Suites Wichita Northeast, 2433 N. Greenwich in Wichita
Hickory Farms at NewMarket Square, 2413 N. Maize Road in Wichita
Irving Elementary School, 1642 N. Market in Wichita
Jimmy John’s, 10758 W. 21st St. in Wichita
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot at Towne East Square, 7700 E. Kellogg Drive, Suite N03 in Wichita
Kwik Shop, 3601 E. 47th St. South in Wichita
Maize South High School, 3701 N. Tyler Road in Maize
Maize South Intermediate School, 9701 W. 37th St. North in Wichita
Maize South Middle School, 3403 N. Tyler Road in Wichita
McDonald’s, 3527 N. Rock Road in Wichita
McLean Science & Technology Magnet Elementary School, 2277 N. Marigold Lane in Wichita
Mueller Aerospace & Engineering Discovery Magnet Elementary School, 2500 E. 18th St. in Wichita
On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, 2347 N. Maize Road in Wichita
Ortiz Elementary School, 3361 N. Arkansas in Wichita
Premier Food Service at Boot Barn, 4969 S. Lulu Court in Wichita
Premier Food Service at the McGinty Machine Company, 123 N. Hydraulic in Wichita
Premier Food Service at Midwest Drywall BKRM, 1351 S. Reca Court in Wichita
Premier Food Service at NIAR MRO, 4174 S. Oliver in Wichita
Premier Food Service at Sunshine Metals, 3941 S. Norman in Wichita
St. Jude Catholic School, 3030 N. Amidon in Wichita
Subway, 747 N. Ridge Road in Wichita
Super China Star Buffet, 5825 W. Central in Wichita
University Mart and Deli, 3223 E. 17th St. in Wichita
Valley Center Middle School, 800 N. Meridian in Valley Center
Valley Center West Elementary School, 501 N. Sheridan in Valley Center
Vita Bella, 9310 W. Central in Wichita
Wichita North High School, 1437 N. Rochester 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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