Here's what food safety officials cited at Fuzzy's Taco Shop and other Topeka inspections
Kansas food safety and lodging inspectors found several Topeka establishments to be out of compliance with state law in January, but Fuzzy's Taco Shop wasn't one of them despite social media photos alleging violations.
Kansas law delegates to the Kansas Department of Agriculture the authority to regulate food establishments, food processing plants and lodging establishments. Violations — particularly priority violations linked to causes of foodborne illness — can lead to various consequences, including the immediate closure of an establishment.
Kansas Department of Agriculture records show that while most Topeka service establishments passed inspections in January with either no violations or no serious ones, several failed. Most inspections were routine, but inspectors also visited after complaints, for licensing, follow-ups and other reasons.
Despite Facebook videos showing cockroaches in a booth, Fuzzy's Taco Shop at 2614 S.W. 17th Street was never listed as out of compliance. That's because the restaurant voluntarily closed by the operator before a complaint inspection on Jan. 23, which found no violations. The inspection was the day after the videos were posted to Facebook.
"This visit is for Educational Purpose only," the inspector wrote. "Upon arrival they had all the booths in the dining room taken apart and moved for cleaning under the booths. Staff were cleaning the kitchen area. Provided education on cleaning the facility prior to pest control spraying any pesticide or bait."
The person in charge said pest control had been out the day before and was scheduled to come back again another day before establishing a two-week routine moving forward.
The inspector returned on Jan. 24 and noted there was no live pest activity following "a roach cleanout" two days earlier. Still, there were four dead cockroaches, with one on the kitchen floor, one in a dining room booth and two on a basement floor.
The person in charge told inspectors "the pest issue may be coming in on the receiving trucks," and the inspector suggested filing a complaint with their distribution center. The inspector also noted a water leak and buildup issue, and, "This could be a water source for continued pest problems."
The inspector did cite four violations during that second visit. One was for dented cans of Embasa salsa verde, one for no hand soap at a sink, one for a leaky ceiling in the dining area and one for food debris on the floor.
The restaurant shared on Facebook on Jan. 29 that "we have received a clean bill of health from the Health Department and we've passed our Fuzzy's Corporate Inspection" and offered a free taco to customers.
Fuzzy's was previously cited for pest problems, including cockroaches, during an August inspection.
Out-of-compliance food establishments in Topeka
The following establishments were listed as out of compliance with state law after inspections in January.
Dillons at 2815 S.W. 29th St.
The Brookwood grocery store was out of compliance during a routine Jan. 17 inspection that found five violations and a Jan. 30 follow-up that found one.
"I witnessed a live Mouse located under the Greeting Cards in the storage area for the cards," the inspector wrote of the Jan. 30 inspection. "There was at least 50+ fresh droppings in this same area."
The earlier inspection also found a rodent problem, as the inspector saw a mouse run across the floor while in the bakery department. The bread slicer was littered with old crumbs and scores of mice feces.
The inspection also cited the story for open cans of jalapenos and enchilada sauce on the shelves, no soap at a hand sink in the deli department and no hand drying provisions at a bakery hand sink.
Another follow-up was scheduled for March 29.
El Centenarios at 1306 S. Kansas Ave.
The Jan. 29 routine inspection found six violations.
There were bottles of salsa that were not cool enough and were put back in the refrigerator, a bleach spray bottle that was not labeled, fresh rodent droppings plus "a small dead rodent" in a utility room that had a hole in the wall, and a hole in a back door.
A follow-up was scheduled for Feb. 8.
Burger King at 1800 S.W. 10th St.
The Jan. 23 modified complaint inspection found three violations.
A pest control citation included fresh rodent droppings on the kitchen floor near the frozen Coke machine, inside a cabinet and under the dining room drink station. The inspector also found "what appears to be nesting materials laying on top of the in-use oven that has fallen through a small crack from the ceiling."
The inspector also noted a hole in the wall near the drive-through register that had additional rodent droppings. The person in charge said "he has seen activity coming & going from the hole," and with another hole, he "has several work orders in place to have maintenance fix it." Outside, there was deteriorating wood framing that could be a point of entry for rodents.
A follow-up had been scheduled for Feb. 2.
Travelers Inn at 3846 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
The Jan. 19 reopening inspection found nine violations.
Across multiple rooms, inspectors found a lack of smoke detectors, smoke detectors that didn't work, unsanitary mattresses, showers not draining, exposed electrical wiring, a lack of GFCI outlets in bathrooms, light sockets missing light bulbs and sink water lines not connected to faucets.
Inspectors noted a handful of rooms that are occupied, some more that were opened for rent and several that needed additional corrective action. The lodging establishment operator voluntarily closed several rooms due to the deficiencies.
A follow-up was scheduled for March. 19.
Kentucky Fried Chicken at 3211 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
The Jan. 10 follow-up inspection found one violation after an earlier inspection in December found two.
The carbonator tank for the drive-through soda fountain "appears to be leaking from the vent" and had a wet spot under it, the inspector wrote. The person in charge "said they have work orders in place but no one has showed up to service it."
Another follow-up was scheduled for March 15.
Inspections found these Topeka establishments were in compliance
The following service establishments were in compliance when inspectors visited in January with either no violations or only relatively minor ones.
Baker's Dozen at 1949 N.W. Topeka Blvd.
Dialogue Coffee House at 301 E. Railroad Street in Silver Lake.
Gambino's Pizza at 404 Circle Drive in Silver Lake.
Iron Rail Brewing at 705 S. Kansas Ave.
Seaman High School at 4850 N.W. Rochester Road.
Spangles at 440 S.W. 29th St.
Topeka High School at 800 S.W. 10th St.
Williams Magnet School at 1301 S.E. Monroe St.
Henry T's Bar & Grill at 1521 21st St.
Highland Park High School at 2424 S.E. California Ave.
Juan 3:16 Tortilleria at 1009 S.E. Sixth St.
Pauline South Intermediate School at 7035 S.W. Morrill Road in Wakarusa.
Riegel's 20's West at 901 S.W. Fairlawn, Suite 101.
The Big Biscuit at 2815 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Courtyard Topeka at 2033 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Cypress Ridge Golf Course at 2533 Urish Road.
Jeremiah Bullfrog's Bar & Grill at 2827 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Jet Away Cafe at 6700 S.W. Topeka Blvd, Forbes Field, building 610.
McDonald's at the east Topeka service area on I-70.
The Pennant at 915 S. Kansas Ave.
Treat America at Bartlett & West at 1200 S.W. Executive Drive.
Abigail's Oakland at 1909 N.E. Seward Ave.
Domino's Pizza at 2940 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Highland Park Central Elementary School at 2717 S.E. Illinois Ave.
Most Pure Heart of Mary School at 1750 S.W. Stone Ave.
Tinda Liquor at 316 S.E. 29th St.
Casey's at 1420 K-4 highway in Valley Falls.
Fuzzy's Taco Shop at 2614 S.W. 17th St.
AFC Sushi at Dillons at 5311 22nd Place.
Dunkin' at 1500 S.W. Sixth Ave.
Shaner Early Learning Academy at 1600 S.W. 34th St.
Soul Fire Food at 2511 S.E. California Ave.
St. Matthew's Catholic School at 1000 28th St.
J Rocks Smoke House at 1000 S.E. 21st St.
Mexican Taco Shop at 1901 S.W. 10th Ave.
Blue Jazz Java at 6540 S.E. Johnston St.
Casey's General Store at 215 US-24 highway in Rossville.
Grounded at 444 N. Main St. in Rossville.
Cafe Quetzal United Methodist Church at 2111 S.W. Belle Ave., Suites A & B.
Circle Coffee at 1710 S.W. Medford Ave.
Crispy & Co. at 2855 S.W. Wanamaker Road, Suite A.
Hane Be at 2855 S.W. Wanamaker Road, Suite B.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites at 601 N.W. US-24 highway.
Shopper's Kitchen Restaurant & Catering at 250 S.E. 29th St.
Strathman Sales at 4235 S.W. Burlingame Road.
Townsite Events at 534 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 1600.
Victorias at 5011 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
The Wheel Barrel at 925 N. Kansas Ave.
Desi Delights at 2025 S.W. Urish Road, Suite 105.
Subway at 4731 N.W. Hunters Ridge Circle, Suite D.
Wendy's at 738 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
Cold Stone Creamery at 1227 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Seabrook Apple Market at 1945 S.W. Gage Blvd.
Sure Stay Plus by Best Western at 700 S.W. Fairlawn Road.
29th Street Quick Stop at 3101 S.W. 29th St.
Fuel Expresso at 506 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
Jefferson's Restaurant at 2915 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Oriental Express at 5954 S.W. 29th St.
Spangles at 2037 S.W. Gage Blvd.
Full Circle Sustainability at 2303 S.W. College Ave.
Nauling's Texas BBQ and Soul Food at 1001 S.E. Quincy St.
Taco Villa at 5300 21st St., Suite A.
Walmart at 1301 37th St.
Aliciazcreationz Bombdelicious Seasonings at 305 S.E. 17th St., Suite C.
Buffalo Wild Wings at 1227 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
The Dawg House at 205 E. US-24 highway in Rossville.
Treat America at CoreFirst at 3035 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
Treat America at Foley Equipment at 1737 S.W. 42nd St.
Treat America at Hill's Pet Nutrition center at 1036 N.E. 43rd St.
Treat America at Hill's Pet Nutrition plant at 320 N.E. Crane St.
Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Food inspections find problems at Fuzzy's Taco Shop, Topeka Dillons
