Restaurants temporarily shut down for code violations include Lawrence buffet, KC sushi

Several restaurants in the Kansas City metro and one in Lawrence temporarily closed recently for health code violations.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture cited King Buffet, 1601 W. 23rd St., Suite 104, Lawrence, for seven priority health code violations during an Aug. 12 inspection following a complaint.

The inspector found about 20 live roaches nesting on the underside of a large stainless steel prep table in the middle of the kitchen and about 10 live roaches on the underside corners of a small stainless steel table.

Its last pest control invoice was dated for July 7, 2020.

King Buffet was cited when it did not cease operations and notify the department of the imminent health hazard of a live roach infestation. It temporarily shut down to correct the problem.

It had one critical violation during an Aug. 14 reopening inspection when roaches were still found under the prep table, crawling on a freezer in the kitchen, the floor, rice warmer, and the prep table shelf.

It had no priority violations during an Aug. 15 reopening inspection and was allowed to reopen.

A spokesman for the restaurant confirmed the information on the report but declined to comment.

Three Kansas City restaurants temporarily shut down to correct health code violations. They are:

▪ Bun Mee Phan, 4011 N. Oak Trafficway, was cited after a visit by a health inspector on July 29. According to the report, the person in charge locked the door upon the inspector’s arrival and did not answer the phone or the door. The inspector observed employees inside the restaurant.

It had one critical violation during a July 30 follow-up inspection and was allowed to reopen.

“We were closed. We didn’t see the inspector because it was raining, too,” said Kay Nguyen, manager. “But they came the next day and waived the $100 shutdown fee.”

▪ John’s Big Deck, main floor, 928 Wyandotte St., had five critical violations during a July 31 routine inspection. The inspector observed multiple leaks from the ceiling in the food prep area, above the walk-in cooler, above the prep table, and between the prep table and the grill top, as well as puddles of standing water throughout the kitchen and back hallways.

John’s second and third floors had one violation for multiple leaks in the ceiling about the bar and throughout the dining area. The inspector noted full buckets of dirty water throughout the second floor and standing puddles of water.

It was reinspected on Aug. 13 and allowed to reopen.

“It was brought upon by our deck renovation,” said P.J. Purtle, general manager. “When you have to take the roof off a 110-year-old building it comes with its own set of problems.”

▪ Prime Sushi, south Plaza, 4980 Main St., was cited during a July 31 inspection when it was open for business but did not have running hot water for hand-washing or ware washing.

“It was an accident. All we had to do is turn it on,” said Terry Shin, owner.

It was reinspected and allowed to reopen the same day..