Cockroaches, old hummus, raw shrimp not kept cold at Wichita restaurants, hotel
Old food, cockroaches, employees who didn’t wash their hands, missing labels and more are among violations state inspectors discovered during recent food safety and lodging inspections in the Wichita area.
Each week, The Eagle adds to its searchable database of failed inspections from Sedgwick County. Five restaurants and other businesses were non-compliant with state regulations from Dec. 21-27.
Inspectors found few or no violations that week at more than 30 other locations deemed compliant with food safety and lodging rules.
Kansas Department of Agriculture 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 may 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 Dec. 30 using information available from the state on that date. It covers Sedgwick County only.
But you can search food safety and lodging inspection results elsewhere in Kansas at https://foodsafety.kda.ks.gov/FoodSafety/Web/Inspection/PublicInspectionSearch.aspx.
Out-of-compliance inspections
Candle Club, 6135 E. 13th St. in Wichita — Five violations on Dec. 26 during a routine inspection. Diced hard-boiled eggs were not labeled with their preparation date, sliced turkey and roast beef were not labeled with their preparation dates, old hummus, sous vide process performed on raw duck without required approval, milk and whipping cream were not labeled with their package opening dates, half-and-half was not labeled with its package opening date, old egg rolls and meatballs. Next inspection: Jan. 5.
Economy Hotel, 550 S. Florence in Wichita — One violation on Dec. 22 during a follow-up inspection. Repeat violation for room 214 not having a working climate control unit. The room was closed to guests until the system is repaired. Next inspection: Jan. 2.
KS Smoke Shop & Grocery, 5701 E. Lincoln in Wichita — One violation on Dec. 22 during a modified complaint inspection. Degreasers and carpet cleaners stored on shelf above paper plates, spoons and packages of canned sodas. Next inspection: Jan. 2.
Passage to India, 6100 E. 21st St., Suite 180 in Wichita — Two violations on Dec. 23 during a follow-up inspection. Two live cockroaches on glue trap on top of water heater and one live cockroach near ceiling between pipes, large hole in ceiling tile above ware washing area. Next inspection: Jan. 2.
Tuptim Thai, 2121 N. Rock Road, Suite 300 in Wichita — Three violations on Dec. 22 during a modified complaint inspection. Salad mix was not labeled with the time it was removed from refrigeration, employee handled dirty dishes then handled clean dishes without washing hands, raw shrimp not kept cold enough. Next inspection: Dec. 26.
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.
