KC restaurants temporarily shut down for health code violations

Here are area restaurants that were recently shut down temporarily for health code violations, with highlighted links to the original public record reports by city. Links to follow-up inspections are also highlighted.

Restaurants correct most violations at the time of the original inspection or shortly thereafter. Links to the follow-up inspections show how each establishment has corrected or is working to correct any remaining violations.

If an inspection or follow-up report needs clarification, restaurant and grocery store owners can call Joyce Smith at 816-234-4692 or email her at jsmith@kcstar.com. The Star will post appropriate responses online in the same online locations as the original report.

In addition, if a restaurant is temporarily shut down, a comment from the owner will be requested and a more complete description will be included with the online report.

The Kansas City Health Department cited these operations:

▪ Dairy Queen, 10350 N.E. Cookingham Road, was inspected on July 27 and found to be operating without a permit. It was temporarily closed.

It had 2 critical violations during a pre-operational inspection on July 30 and allowed to open.

In a statement, Dairy Queen spokesman Dean Peters said: “The DQ location opened on Sunday, July 25 with the understanding that all of the paperwork was filed to gain the permit that allowed them to open for business. The health inspector visited the location on Monday, July 27 and notified the location they did not have the proper permit to operate. The location was then closed, the correct paperwork was filed and a permit was obtained. The health inspector returned on Thursday, July 30, and the location reopened for business.”

▪ Green Duck Grill, 2548 Prospect Ave., had 16 critical violations during a July 28 routine inspection.

Jeff Hershberger, spokesman for the Kansas City Health Department, said Green Duck Grill was closed because of multiple repeat critical violations.

In a statement, Hershberger said: “At this point their food safety permit is still suspended. We always try to work with permit holders to help them know what they need to do to meet the standards set by the food code. However, our primary responsibility when it comes to food permits is to protect the public. This is the fourth closure at Green Duck Grill this year (we also closed them Jan. 8 due to raccoon and deer meat in the coolers, Feb. 19 due to multiple repeat critical violations and a substantial 3-compartment sink back-up, and June 1 due to grease trap overflow). The permit holder will need to contact us and schedule a hearing with our Environmental Public Health Program before any further decision can be made.”

A Green Duck Lounge employee said the bar was still in operation and they would reopen the grill when they passed a re-inspection.

▪ Golden Seafood, 2641 Van Brunt Blvd., had 5 critical violations during a July 29 routine inspection. It was temporarily closed due to a roach infestation and a significant grease trap back-up.

It had 1 critical violation during a July 31 follow-up inspection and no critical violations during an Aug. 3 follow-up inspection.

Golden Seafood officials did not return phone calls.

▪ Pizza Hut, 10147 Wornall Road, had 1 critical violation during a July 27 routine inspection. The health department said Pizza Hut was operating without air conditioning and the cooling units were unable to keep cold food within safe holding temperatures, resulting in the closure.

It had no critical violations during a July 29 follow-up inspection and was allowed to reopen.

“We immediately addressed the situation and resolved the problem and are back in business ready to serve our customers,” said Vonnie Walbert, spokeswoman for Pizza Hut in Kansas City. “The safety and quality of our food is a top priority.”

For complete Kansas City area reports, visit: http://www.inspectionsonline.us/foodsafety/mousakansascity/search.htm and then search under the establishment’s name.

This story was originally published August 14, 2015 at 12:30 PM with the headline "KC restaurants temporarily shut down for health code violations."