Bugs, filth, too much trash, fast-food sandwiches resold & more at Wichita restaurants
Ten restaurants, hotels and other businesses that serve or sell food in Wichita and surrounding towns were out of compliance during food safety and lodging inspections conducted by the Kansas Department of Agriculture from Oct. 20-26.
The businesses were cited for a number of violations, including overflowing trash; large amounts of grease and grime around the kitchen; roaches and flies; old ranch dressing; refrigerated foods in the temperature “danger zone”; missing equipment and signs; a business that was reselling McDonald’s sandwiches and pizza from a local shop; raw meats that weren’t stored correctly and more, according to inspection reports.
Information about the food establishments, as well as a summary of their violations, appears below. The businesses listed are all located in Sedgwick County. The list was compiled Oct. 31 using information available in the KDA’s statewide inspections database on that date.
At least 60 establishments 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 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
Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store, 550 E. 47th St. South in Wichita — Seven violations on Oct. 25 during a joint inspection. Cream cheese flavors were in the “food temperature danger zone” in refrigeration, overflowing trash bins, restaurant didn’t record when it last filled the ice cream dispensing machine, cheese and vegetables weren’t labeled with the time they were removed from refrigeration, flies and fruit flies were in the kitchen and around food, food debris on grill containers and ice cream milkshake machine, soda syrup buildup around soda machine and nozzles, melted ice cream and toppings scattered over counter. Next inspection: Nov. 5.
Casey’s General Store, 222 S. Meridian in Valley Center — One violation on Oct. 26 during a follow-up inspection. A backflow preventer vent cap was missing and a clear liquid was leaking from the area where the cap belongs. Next inspection: Nov. 6.
China Star Super Buffet, 5825 W. Central in Wichita — Two violations on Oct. 23 during a modified complaint inspection. A “large amount” of grease and grime and food debris had accumulated along walls and around equipment, live roaches in electrical panels in the kitchen and by the water heater and dining room door. Next inspection: Nov. 2.
Chuck’s Hot Chicken, 2625 W. Pawnee in Wichita — Six violations on Oct. 24 during a joint inspection. Not enough sanitizer on wiping cloths, water wasn’t hot enough at a three-vat sink, no test strips to measure the concentration of quaternary sanitizer, unlabeled spray bottle of sanitizer, old ranch dressing, small compartments in three-vat sink were not big enough to submerge and sanitize some equipment. Next inspection: Nov. 3.
Fazoli’s, 8520 W. Central in Wichita — Four violations on Oct. 24 during a routine inspection. Sliced tomatoes and deli meats weren’t labeled with their preparation or package opening dates, visible food and sticker residue on cleaned dishes and utensils, pizzas weren’t labeled with their preparation time. Next inspection: Nov. 3.
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot at Towne East Square, 7700 E. Kellogg Drive, Suite N03 in Wichita — Fourteen violations on Oct. 21 during a complaint inspection. No sanitizer in dish machine, blocked hand-washing sink, cooked boba wasn’t labeled with the time it was made, raw beef was thawing at room temperature, employee touched raw chicken and pork but didn’t change gloves and wash hands afterward, bus tub of dishes was sitting on a hand-washing sink, flies, cabbage wasn’t kept cold enough, no test strips to measure concentration of sanitizers, cross-contamination of raw meats, fly landed on a surface that touches food, raw chicken in the cooler was touching raw pork and raw beef, raw beef was stored above vegetables. Next inspection: Nov. 1.
La Michoacana Ice Cream (mobile vendor/food truck), 829 W. Maple in Wichita — Seven violations on Oct. 23 during a modified complaint inspection. The business was reselling sandwiches and pizzas from McDonald’s and a local pizza shop, no water under pressure, no dishwashing soap available, an employee put on gloves without washing hands, packaged chicken sandwiches were not labeled for retail sale, no sanitizer available, no hot water. Next inspection: Nov. 3.
MainStay Suites Wichita Northeast, 3141 N. Webb in Wichita — Eight violations on Oct. 23 during a complaint inspection. No sign alerting guests that the hotel is pet-friendly, missing emergency plan, no sanitizing solution for guests to use around exercise equipment, emergency lighting didn’t work, the hotel’s license wasn’t posted, bottle of window cleaner wasn’t labeled, ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet didn’t work in one room, no clean towels in fitness room. Next inspection: Nov. 4.
Mr. McC’s Market/Fat Boyz, 1901 E. 21st St. in Wichita — Four violations on Oct. 26 during a routine inspection. Unlabeled packages of hot links and fish fillets, jars of blueberry jam and syrup weren’t labeled, the business used a vacuum sealer for hot links and fish fillets without proper approval from the state, chlorine sanitizer was not set up for dishwashing and there were no test strips to measure the concentration of sanitizer, no paper towels at hand-washing sink. Next inspection: Nov. 5.
Tianluo Bistro, 11309 E. Kellogg Drive, Suite 200 in Wichita — Eleven violations on Oct. 22 during a routine inspection. Refrigerated foods including raw chicken and noodles weren’t kept cold enough, no paper towels at bathroom sink, raw eggs were stored above cooked chicken in refrigerator, raw bacon was stored above ready-to-eat noodles, back kitchen door was propped open, dead fly stuck on ice machine, missing policy related to food preparation and holding times, duck sauce and roasted duck weren’t labeled with their preparation dates, there were no reminders about washing hands at any sinks, restaurant used a soy sauce bucket to hold soapy water but didn’t label the container, employee didn’t wash hands before preparing food, greasy food debris on counter below woks. Next inspection: Nov. 2.
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.
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.
Complaint? Here’s how 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 where food is 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.
These businesses passed inspections
- Adams Elementary School, 1002 N. Oliver in Wichita
- Anderson Elementary School, 2945 S. Victoria in Wichita
- Artichoke Sandwichbar, 219 E. Murdock in Wichita
- Artichoke Sandwichbar, 811 N. Broadway in Wichita
- BB.Q Chicken Wichita at Towne East Square, 7700 E. Kellogg Drive, Suite 1014 in Wichita
- Bionic Burger, 2404 S. Meridian in Wichita
- Burritos Eben-Ezer (mobile vendor/food truck), 1702 S. Meridian in Wichita
- CAPL Retail LLC, 4414 W. Maple in Wichita
- City of Wichita South Lakes Softball & Soccer Complex, 2211 W. 47th St. South in Wichita
- Dashmart by Doordash, 239 N. Handley in Wichita
- Derby Panther PAC, 801 E. Madison in Derby
- Dog-N-Shake, 1640 S. Hillside in Wichita
- Dollar General, 2020 E. 21st St. in Wichita
- Dollar General, 1206 W. Douglas in Wichita
- Dorner Park Soccer Concessions, 400 W. 79th St. South in Haysville
- Dunkin’ Donuts, 333 S. West St. in Wichita
- Dunkin’ Donuts, 409 E. 47th St. South in Wichita
- Eisenhower High School, 1230 S. 167th St. West in Goddard
- Fizz Burgers & Bottles, 7718 E. 37th St. North in Wichita
- Garrett Park Concession Stand, 1100 S. Red Horse in Derby
- H Food Mart & Tobacco, 1818 S. Broadway in Wichita
- Hamilton Middle School, 1407 S. Broadway in Wichita
- High Park Concession Stand, 2700 E. Madison in Derby
- Hog Wild Pit Bar-B-Q, 630 E. 47th St. South in Wichita
- Hot 2 Trot (mobile vendor/food truck), 2243 S. Osage in Wichita
- Komugi Japanese Bakery, 751 S. George Washington Blvd. in Wichita
- Krispy Kreme, 7777 E. Central in Wichita
- Kwik Shop, 2424 W. 37th St. North in Wichita
- Kwik Shop, 110 E. Fifth St. in Valley Center
- Layali, 236 W. Greenway in Derby
- L’Ouverture Career Exploration & Technology Magnet Elementary School, 1539 N. Ohio in Wichita
- Magnolia Cafe, 2424 N. Woodlawn, Suite 111 in Wichita
- Maize High School, 11600 W. 45th St. North in Maize
- Maize South Elementary School, 3404 N. Maize Road in Wichita
- Minneha Elementary School, 701 N. Webb in Wichita
- Mortdecai’s Tavern & Eatery, 330 S. Greenwich, Suite 275 in Wichita
- Natalie’s Sweets & Treats, 926 W. Harry in Wichita
- Nelson Elementary School, 245 N. Delos in Haysville
- The Nelson’s Kitchen, 1712 E. Morris in Wichita
- OK Elementary School, 1607 N. West St. in Wichita
- Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom, 2240 N. Tyler Road, Suite 100 in Wichita
- Papa John’s Pizza, 8620 W. McCormick in Wichita
- Pizza Hut, 20125 W. Kellogg Drive in Goddard
- Playa Azul Authentic Mexican, 111 N. Washington in Wichita
- Prairie Elementary School, 7101 S. Meridian in Haysville
- Prairie Pines, 4055 N. Tyler Road in Maize
- Robinson Middle School, 328 N. Oliver in Wichita
- Sam’s Club, 6200 W. Kellogg Drive in Wichita
- Sarai’s Ice Cream & More Treats (mobile vendor/food truck), 1530 S. Greenwood in Wichita
- Sharky’s Island Bites, 8918 W. 21st St., Suite 800 in Wichita
- Taco Bell, 6515 E. 37th St. North in Wichita
- Tacos El Sabor Real (mobile vendor/food truck), 1016 E. Pawnee in Wichita
- Taqueria Tex-Mex (mobile vendor/food truck), 2911 S. Sayles in Wichita
- Tequila’s Mexican Grill, 218 W. Main in Valley Center
- Traces of Flavor, 6655 E. Zimmerly in Wichita
- Walmart Neighborhood Market, 3137 S. Seneca in Wichita
- White Elementary School, 5148 S. Kansas in Wichita
- Wichita South High School, 701 W. 33rd St. South in Wichita
- Wichita West High School, 820 S. Osage in Wichita
- Word of Life Ministries & Schools-Life Preparatory Academy Dorms, 915 E. 53rd St. North 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.
