Kansas City, October 7, 2025
News Summary
Recent inspections by health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas revealed multiple food safety violations at various restaurants in the Kansas City area. Violations included mold, insects, and improper food storage. Some establishments had their food licenses suspended due to significant issues, while others were required to make immediate corrections to ensure public health. The inspections underscore the importance of food safety practices within the region’s diverse dining scene.
Kansas City
Health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas discovered numerous food safety violations at various Kansas City area restaurants between September 14 and 27. The inspections revealed issues including mold, insects, and improperly stored food, prompting immediate concerns about public health and safety.
Diverse dining establishments, such as sit-down restaurants, drive-thrus, gas stations, and grocery stores are mandated to undergo food inspections. In Kansas City, the health department is responsible for enforcing the food code, whereas in Kansas, the state’s Department of Agriculture conducts these inspections. Restaurants aim for fewer violations to achieve better inspection ratings, as most establishments typically rectify issues promptly during or shortly after inspections.
During the inspection period, five establishments had their food licenses suspended due to significant violations. Among the restaurants cited were:
- Sushi Karma: Violations included a live roach found in a soy sauce bucket in the dishwashing area, raw chicken stored at room temperature for up to five hours, dead cockroaches around the kitchen, and a sleeping cot in the storage area.
- Bonito Michoacan: Issues included mold in the ice machine and house-made pickled pig ears being kept at room temperature.
- Parker at the Fontaine: Found three-week-old short ribs, an employee’s phone placed on a cutting board, and buildup on hood vents. All violations were corrected by a follow-up inspection on September 30.
- Fronteras: A recommendation for deep cleaning was made due to grease buildup and food debris. Small winged insects were found in a whiskey bottle.
- Taqueria Los Altos de Jalisco: Mouse droppings were reported in the bar area, office, and behind a refrigerator, with critical violations continuing after a follow-up inspection on October 3.
- Artego Pizza: No soap was present at a kitchen handwashing sink, and two coolers failed to maintain proper food storage temperatures. These violations were corrected by a follow-up inspection on October 4.
- Bamboo Penny’s: A live cockroach was spotted on the wall next to the rice cooker, and cooked dumplings were placed on a plate with bare hands. A follow-up inspection had not occurred yet.
- Teocali: A staggering 40 food code violations were discovered, including 25 critical ones, but all were corrected, allowing the restaurant to reopen the next day.
- Taste of Philly and More: All violations were corrected, confirmed by a September 23 follow-up inspection.
- Crossroads barbeque food truck: Announced its closure on October 4 amid violation reports.
Additionally, a report of illness associated with a catered event at Hospital Hill Mexican restaurant on September 12 resulted in an inspection currently pending.
Other establishments also faced serious violations. A gas station convenience store was noted for having dead insects and debris, while a pizzeria lacked proper sanitation supplies. To view inspection results, the public can access data for Kansas City at inspectionsonline.us/foodsafety/mousakansascity/search.htm and for Johnson and Wyandotte counties at agriculture.ks.gov.
Conclusion
The recent round of inspections highlights critical issues in food safety practices at multiple Kansas City area restaurants. The health department’s commitment to enforcing food safety codes aims to protect public health and ensures that corrective measures are taken swiftly to maintain safe dining experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What food safety violations were uncovered at Kansas City area restaurants?
Health inspectors found several violations including mold, insects, and improperly stored food.
How often do restaurants undergo food inspections?
Diverse dining establishments, including sit-down restaurants, drive-thrus, gas stations, and grocery stores are mandated to undergo food inspections.
Which Kansas City restaurants had their food licenses suspended?
Five establishments had their food licenses suspended during the inspection period.
Where can the public access inspection results for Kansas City restaurants?
Inspection results are publicly available for Kansas City at inspectionsonline.us/foodsafety/mousakansascity/search.htm and for Johnson and Wyandotte counties at agriculture.ks.gov.
Chart of Key Features of the Article
| Restaurant | Violations | Follow-Up Action |
|---|---|---|
| Sushi Karma | Live roach, raw chicken at room temp, dead cockroaches | Not specified |
| Bonito Michoacan | Mold in ice machine, pickled pig ears at room temp | Not specified |
| Parker at the Fontaine | Three-week-old short ribs, phone on cutting board | Corrected by September 30 |
| Fronteras | Grease buildup, food debris, small winged insects | Not specified |
| Taqueria Los Altos de Jalisco | Mouse droppings | Continued critical violations after October 3 |
| Artego Pizza | No soap at handwashing sink, coolers failed | Corrected by October 4 |
| Bamboo Penny’s | Live cockroach, unsanitary handling of food | No follow-up occurred |
| Teocali | 40 violations including 25 critical | Corrected to reopen next day |
| Taste of Philly and More | All violations | Corrected by September 23 |
| Crossroads barbeque food truck | Not specified | Closed October 4 |
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Additional Resources
- Kansas City News Article 1
- Wikipedia: Food Safety
- Kansas City News Article 2
- Google Search: Food Safety Violations
- Kansas City News Article 3
- Google Scholar: Restaurant Inspections
- Kansas City News Article 4
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Inspections
- Kansas City News Article 5
- Google News: Food Safety Inspections
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
