A Jose Pepper’s in JoCo temporarily shut down due to health code violations

UPDATE: Jose Pepper’s passed a reinspection on May 31.

A Jose Pepper’s in Overland Park temporarily shut down for health code violations on May 30.

The restaurant, at 14373 Metcalf Ave., did not close and notify the department of the “imminent health hazard of an active cockroach infestation” as required.

On May 30, an inspector found cockroaches in a condenser unit, at the bar salsa side station, and on a back wall behind a cooler. The restaurant was shut down to correct the issue.

During a reopening inspection on May 31, the inspector noted seven live cockroaches. The restaurant passed another inspection later that day and was allowed to reopen.

“We proactively were in there and we took care of the situation. We took it very seriously,” said Jody Sight, director of human resources with Jose Pepper’s. “We cleaned it top to bottom. We replaced the whole condenser unit.”

The locally owned chain has 13 locations in the metro, Topeka and Wichita.

For complete Kansas health inspections, visit http://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/food-safety-lodging/inspection-results.

This story was originally published June 4, 2019 at 1:44 PM.