‘Filth’ on queso, expired pork: Latest Kansas City area restaurant inspections
From “white creamy buildup” to food stuck to dishes, health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas found numerous violations at Kansas City-area restaurants last week.
Dining establishments like sit-down restaurants, drive-thrus, gas stations and grocery stores are required to get food inspections, and governments have to release those inspections to the public.
In Kansas City, the city’s health department enforces the food code, while in Kansas, the state’s Department of Agriculture handles inspections. The lower the number of violations, the better.
Most restaurants correct violations at the time of the original inspection or shortly after. The full inspections show how each establishment has corrected or is working to correct any remaining violations. They are available for Kansas City at inspectionsonline.us/foodsafety/mousakansascity/search.htm and Johnson and Wyandotte counties at agriculture.ks.gov.
Here are the restaurants in Kansas City and Johnson counties that received seven or more priority and priority foundation violations from Dec. 28 to Jan. 3. No restaurants in Wyandotte County nor Independence met the threshold this week.
Hakata Hibachi
- 11658 W. 135th St., Overland Park
- 10 priority and priority foundation violations for a Dec. 29 routine inspection
Paper towels were missing from three sinks at this hibachi restaurant off of Quivira. Approximately 30% of stored dishes and utensils, including knives on the magnetic holder, still had debris or residue on them.
The results of the follow-up inspection have not yet been published. Read the full report for Hakata Hibachi by searching for the restaurant on the Kansas inspection lookup.
Rock and Brews
- 5701 W. 135th, Overland Park
- 8 priority and priority foundation violations for a Dec. 29 routine inspection
An employee threw away a container of parmesan butter that sat on the counter overnight at this Prairiefire taphouse and restaurant. Pulled pork and chili had sat in fridges for more than a week.
The scheduled follow-up inspection has not yet occurred. Read the full report for Rock and Brews by searching for the restaurant on the Kansas inspection lookup.
Abelardo’s Mexican Fresh, Olathe
- 2055 E. Santa Fe St., Olathe
- 7 priority and priority foundation violations for a Dec. 31 complaint inspection
Approximately half of the washed dishes still had food or residue stuck to them inside this Olathe Mexican drive-thru. The inspector found expired beef, chile rellenos and salsa in the kitchen.
The restaurant did not need a follow-up inspection. Read the full report for Abelardo’s Mexican Fresh by searching for the restaurant on the Kansas inspection lookup.
Tequila Harry’s
- 11817 College Blvd., Overland Park
- 7 priority and priority foundation violations for a Dec. 31 complaint inspection
The inspector found “some white creamy buildup” behind the bar at this Overland Park Mexican restaurant. A freezer didn’t keep food cold enough, so staff were using it as a refrigerator. However, the appliance’s internal temperature was too warm at 50 degrees.
The restaurant did not need a follow-up inspection. Read the full report for Tequila Harry’s by searching for the restaurant on the Kansas inspection lookup.
El Principe (Don Chuy’s Fresh Mex and Cantina on Google)
- 8725 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park
- 7 priority and priority foundation violations for a Dec. 29 follow-up inspection
An uncovered container of queso had “red sauce droplets and filth & debris from the wire shelving on the surface” in the walk-in fridge of this Overland Park Mexican restaurant. The bar hand-washing sink had no soap.
The scheduled follow-up inspection has not yet occurred. Read the full report by searching for “El Principe” on the Kansas inspection lookup.
Veritas Whiskey and Wine
- 5621 W. 135th St., Suite 2620, Overland Park
- 7 priority and priority foundation violations for a Dec. 29 routine inspection
A container of house-made roux sat at room temperature overnight at this upscale restaurant in Prairiefire. In the fridge, seven items, including egg rolls and roasted brussel sprouts, did not have dates.
The restaurant did not need a follow-up inspection. Read the full report for Veritas Whiskey and Wine by searching for the restaurant on the Kansas inspection lookup.
Fast Zone
- 6897 E. Front St.
- Suspended Dec. 30
This gas station off of 435 in the industrial area of northeast Kansas City had its retail food license suspended due to inactivity.
