Here's where in Topeka food safety inspectors found rodent droppings, other problems
Kansas food safety and lodging inspectors found several Topeka establishments to be out of compliance with state law in March.
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 March 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.
Out-of-compliance food establishments in Topeka
The following establishments were listed as out of compliance with state law after inspections in March.
Breakers Sports Bar and Grill, 8429 S.W. 10th Ave.
The March 26 routine inspection found two violations.
The cold make table in the kitchen had sour cream, ranch, blue cheese, lettuce and shredded cheese that were all too warm. The person in charge told the inspector that they unplug the table at night and plug it back in in the morning, but the inspector said they should leave it plugged in all night to ensure food remains cold.
The walk-in cooler was not keeping raw eggs, raw bacon, shredded cheese and sliced cheese cold enough. The person in charge said he turned it off that morning because an ice block was growing, and a work order had been made to have the equipment looked at.
The foods were thrown away and the kitchen voluntarily closed, as the establishment was without any fully functioning refrigeration equipment.
The inspector wrote that with the cold make table not keeping food cold enough and the walk-in not fully functioning, "The establishment does not have significant equipment to keep foods cold."
The establishment was back in compliance after a March 27 reopening inspection.
Travelers Inn, 3846 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
The March 26 follow-up inspection found one violation for a room that was inaccessible because the lock was not programmed to accept the key card.
The lodging establishment was in compliance after another follow-up inspection later the same day.
Gage Center Bowl, 4200 S.W. Huntoon St.
The March 15 routine inspection found two violations.
Inspectors found rodent droppings around a pop shelf and under the counter for the snack bar, plus holes that could have been entry points for pests. The person in charge told inspectors that "they have been dealing with a rodent problem for a few months that was worse during the winter," but they had been working with a pest control company.
The establishment was back in compliance after a March 25 follow-up inspection.
Cafe Barnabas, 1801 S.W. Wanamaker Road, Suite G24.
The March 14 complaint inspection found four violations.
A refrigerator had raw eggs stored on a shelf above sticks of butter. A reach-in cooler had a carton of half and half that was too warm, which the inspector suggested was because the cooler was overstocked. Tea was discarded because the keg cooler did not keep it cold.
The mop sink had issues with the backflow device. The floors were "very sticky" and the walls needed to be cleaned.
The establishment was back in compliance after a March 27 follow-up inspection.
West Ridge Lanes and Family Fun Center, 1935 S.W. Westport Drive.
The March 11 routine inspection found three violations.
The inspector found rodent droppings in the kitchen, as well as holes in the wall and gaps in the doors. The person in charge said they have been working with pest control, and the pest control report showed the holes and gaps had been reported.
The establishment was back in compliance after a March 25 follow-up inspection.
Holiday Square-Phillips 66, 2901 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
The March 7 routine inspection found four violations.
Inspectors cited beef hot dogs held longer than seven days after opening, as well as cheddar dogs, black olives and mushrooms that did not have open or discard dates.
An employee was washing dishes without sanitizing them. She told the inspector "she did not know what the sanitizing process was and had never been trained." Additionally, the hot water temperature in the ware-washing sink was not getting hot enough.
The establishment was back in compliance after a March 8 follow-up inspection.
Artismo Gallery and Bistro, 816 N. Kansas Ave.
The March 1 routine inspection found four violations.
There was no food thermometer, there were no test strips for the dish sanitizer, a quesadilla maker and a panini bread press were dirty and the business had been operating for a month without a license.
The establishment was back in compliance after a March 22 follow-up inspection.
Inspections found these Topeka establishments were in compliance
The following service establishments were in compliance when inspectors visited in March with either no violations or only relatively minor ones.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries, 1191 S.W. Wanamaker Road, Suite B.
The Forgotten Grain, 841 N. Washington St., Suite B in Auburn.
Gambino's Pizza, 844 N. Washington in Auburn.
Highland Park High School, 2424 S.E. California Ave.
Pine Ridge Prep School, 1110 S.E. Highland Ave.
Qdoba Mexican Eats, 1025 S.W. Wanamaker Road, Suite A.
Hotel Topeka at City Center, 1717 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
Arby's, 1820 S.E. 29th St.
Little Caesars's, 5329 S.W. 21st St.
Sonic Drive In, 5922 S.W. 21st St.
Wingstop, 2121 S.W. Wanamaker Road, Suite 103.
Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs, 2060 N.W. Topeka Blvd.
Logan Elementary School, 1124 N.W. Lyman Road.
Pollos Junior, 2601 S.W. Sixth Ave.
Tecumseh South Elementary, 3346 S.E. Tecumseh Road in Tecumseh.
Wendy's, 728 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
Dillons fuel kiosk, 2101 S.W. Fairlawn Road.
Dillons, 2815 S.W. 29th St.
Eddy's Mexican Restaurant, 2911 S.W. 29th St.
Marjorie French Middle School, 5257 S.W. 33rd St.
McClure Elementary School, 2529 S.W. Chelsea Drive.
Godfather's Pizza, 5300 S.W. 17th St.
Panda Express, S.W. 1920 Wanamaker Road, Suite 160.
Chartwells at Falley Field of Washburn University, 1700 S.W. College Ave.
Washburn University softball field and complex, 1700 S.W. College Ave.
K Fast Track 2, 1401 S.W. Huntoon St.
Pie Five Pizza Co., 1129 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Sonic Drive In, 3520 S.E. 29th St.
Dairy Queen, 1700 S.W. Medford Ave.
Howdy Come In, 1901 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Super 8, 5968 S.W. 10th Ave.
West Ridge 8, 1727 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
China Express, 514 S.W. 10th Ave.
Fat Shack, 1418 S.W. Lane St.
Baskin-Robbins, 4400 S.W. 21st St.
PB Gas Station-Phillips 66 on I-70, 1000 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Arbor Court, 4200 S.W. Drury Lane.
Church's Chicken, 3001 S.W. 10th Ave.
Pizza Hut, 2007 S.E. 29th St.
PT's Coffee Roasting Co., 929 S.W. University Blvd., Suite 2704-D2.
Casey's General Store, 600 S.E. Rice Road.
Christ the King School, 5973 S.W. 25th St.
Jay Shideler Elementary School, 4948 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Scott Magnet School, 401 S.E. Market St.
Shawnee Heights Elementary School, 2410 S.E. Burton Road.
The Smoothie and Pretzel Co., 1801 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
Holy Family Catholic Church, 1725 N.E. Seward Ave.
Schlotzskys, 2019 S.W. Gage Blvd.
Subway, 2003 S.E. 29th 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: Some Topeka restaurants failed Kansas food safety inspections in March
