Westport restaurant temporarily shuts down due to roach infestation, mouse droppings

Westport’s Papa Keno’s Pizzeria has temporarily closed for health code violations.

The restaurant, at 415 Westport Road, had three critical violations during a Jan. 2 routine inspection. It was temporarily shut down after the inspector observed multiple live roaches throughout the establishment, including in the wall above the upright cooler, in a bowl on the floor and on the table holding the pizza slice boxes. The inspector also observed mouse droppings in several areas.

“We’ve had pest companies out multiple times. Within the last week we had a pest company come out two times,” said David Hawley, owner of the Papa Keno’s franchise and the Westport and Lawrence locations. “So we are going to be shutting down to take care of what is there. We are going to be doing some actual demolition to get to the source of the problems. It is a bunch of interconnected old buildings.”

Papa Keno’s Pizzeria originally opened in 1995 in Lawrence and then expanded. Hawley said there are currently five locations, with another scheduled to open in south Overland Park later this year.

The menu includes pizzas, sandwiches, salads and sides.

This story was originally published January 3, 2020 at 9:50 AM.