Cockroaches, flies on food, mouse poop, dirty kitchens at Wichita KS restaurants
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Nine Wichita-area businesses failed recent state food safety inspections.
- Violations included pest infestations, unsafe food storage and sanitation lapses.
- Most businesses resolve issues quickly and face reinspection within 10 days.
Rodent poop, dead mice, cockroaches, flies on food, filthy kitchen conditions, food stored on the floor, contamination risks and more are among violations Kansas Department of Agriculture inspectors discovered during recent food safety and lodging checks in the Wichita area.
Each week, The Eagle adds to its searchable database of failed inspections from Sedgwick County. Nine restaurants, hotels and other businesses were non-compliant with state regulations from July 27 through Aug. 2.
Inspectors found few or no violations at 60 other locations deemed compliant with food safety and lodging rules.
Inspections are meant to protect the public from foodborne illnesses and other health risks. Locations can fail if they have too many problems, certain types of violations or issues that can’t be fixed right away.
Violations are common. Most of the time, businesses correct issues in front of an inspector. Examples of things that can be addressed immediately are serving food that’s more than a week old, employees mishandling ingredients and dirty kitchens. Issues that take longer to correct include pest infestations, power outages and plumbing problems.
It’s rare, but a business may be temporarily shut down over violations.
Places that fail are usually reinspected within 10 days.
The list in this report was compiled on Aug. 6 using information available from the state on that date. It covers Sedgwick County only.
But you can search food and lodging inspection results elsewhere in Kansas at https://foodsafety.kda.ks.gov/FoodSafety/Web/Inspection/PublicInspectionSearch.aspx.
Out-of-compliance inspections
54 Craft & Co., 549 S. Rock Road in Wichita — Two violations on July 29 during a follow-up inspection. Cut melon, shredded cheese, cream cheese and yogurt on breakfast line were not kept cold enough, ready-to-eat apples and oatmeal toppings were not protected from contamination. Next inspection: Aug. 8.
Alejandro’s Fast Mexican Food, 1212 S. Rock Road in Wichita — Twelve violations on July 30 during a routine inspection. Food containers including salsa were stored directly on the floor, improper cooling methods used for refried beans, fly landed on beans, approximately six flies and several fruit flies were in the building, no written plan for cleaning up vomiting or diarrhea, back door has half-inch crack along side, several dead beetles and flies in kitchen, container of beans in walk-in cooler not cooled to proper temperature within required timeframe, backflow prevention issue at three-compartment sink, no test strips for sanitizer, build-up of grease and grime on potato slicer and throughout building. Next inspection: Aug. 9.
BurgDogs at Towne East Square, 7700 E. Kellogg Drive, Unit VC05 in Wichita — Two violations on Aug. 1 during a complaint inspection. Accumulation of food debris below cheese dispenser, one live cockroach found on floor between prep table and hot holding unit. Next inspection: Aug. 11.
Coratel Inn & Suites, 3343 E. Central in Wichita — Five violations on July 30 during a licensing-operational inspection. No written plan for cleaning up vomiting or diarrhea, no food probe thermometer on site, no soap at hand-washing sink, no paper towels at lobby kitchen hand-washing sink, boxes of food kept on the ground in back storage room. Next inspection: Aug. 9.
Don Taco Stop Mexican Fast Food, 1659 S. Broadway in Wichita — Ten violations on July 29 during a complaint inspection. Container of raw beef and bag of onions stored directly on floor, raw beef thawing in stagnant water and at room temperature, unlabeled spray bottle at hand-washing sink, large crack between back door and floor, several dead flies throughout business, no written plan for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea, approximately 20 regular flies and 15 fruit flies throughout business, one live beetle found near three-compartment sink, no pest control measures in place, buildup of grease and grime throughout restaurant. Next inspection: Aug. 8.
Hissho Sushi at Target, 10800 E. 21st St. in Wichita — Two violations on July 29 during a routine inspection. Cooked crab meat mix wasn’t labeled with its preparation date, missing records related to how food is handled including sushi rice. Next inspection: Aug. 8.
IHOP, 4870 S. Washington in Wichita — One violation on July 28 during a modified complaint inspection. Two cockroaches near soda fountain, one small cockroach crawling on metal shelves where drink racks are stored. Next inspection: Aug. 9.
Lao Food Market, 3141 S. Hillside, Suite 101 in Wichita — Two violations on July 29 during a follow-up inspection. Two dead mice found on floor, several rodent droppings in retail area on floor under shelves. Next inspection: Sept. 29.
Sam & Nancy’s Cafe Hot Dog Cart (mobile vendor/food truck), 151 N. Main in Wichita — Three violations on Aug. 2 during a routine inspection. No water available at hand-washing sink, no hot water at hand-washing sink, water holding tank was empty. Next inspection: Aug. 12.
Where 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 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.
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.
The violation summaries were compiled and drafted with the help of AI tools. They were fact-checked for accuracy and edited by Wichita Eagle journalists.
