Kansas City, October 22, 2025
News Summary
Recent inspections by health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas have revealed critical violations in several Kansas City area restaurants, raising food safety concerns. Notably, establishments such as Sake Lounge, Antojitos del Peru, and Waldo Cafe were cited for serious infractions including improper food storage and pest issues. As a result, three restaurants have been suspended due to inactivity, suggesting potential closures. The lack of follow-up inspections adds to the urgency of addressing these violations to ensure public health and safety.
Kansas City
Health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas found numerous critical violations at various Kansas City area restaurants during inspections conducted from October 5 to 18. These violations have raised concerns about food safety in the region’s dining establishments.
Local health departments in Kansas City, along with the state Department of Agriculture in Kansas, mandate regular food inspections for dining establishments. Following these inspections, three eateries in the area have been suspended due to inactivity, suggesting potential closures.
Violation Highlights
Several specific restaurants have been flagged for serious health code violations:
- Sake Lounge, a sushi restaurant off Black Bob Road, had chicken, beef, dumplings, and eggs stored overnight in a cooler that was too warm. Additionally, a handwashing sink was filled with a blender and utensils and lacked soap and paper towels. No follow-up inspection has occurred.
- Antojitos del Peru, a Peruvian restaurant in Lenexa, failed to dispense soap or sanitizer from the dishwasher. Many food items did not display preparation or opening dates. No follow-up inspection has occurred.
- Flame Grill and Mediterranean Bakery, located in Northland, had a broken dishwashing sink, with water only available from the sprayer. Employees’ drinks were stored improperly on a shelf with clean dishes. No follow-up inspection has occurred.
- Prime Sushi, a south Plaza sushi restaurant, was cited for having a drill next to food on a prep table and storing food buckets on the floor, along with a “white build-up” on a bathroom sink. This establishment had previously received a bad inspection in July, with no follow-up inspection since.
- Snack Bar, a Mexican street food restaurant in Lenexa, was found to have queso fresco, waffle cones, and crushed Cheetos stored in plastic shoe boxes. The hot water at the dishwashing sink took 10 minutes to heat up. No follow-up inspection has occurred.
- China Garden, a Chinese restaurant off Antioch Road, had five gnats found on sink drains and washed dishes. Additionally, rice and liquid sanitizer were improperly stored in the same five-gallon bucket. No follow-up inspection has occurred.
- World Fresh Market, an international grocery store off Metcalf, had an open-front cooler that failed to maintain proper temperature for meat and cheese, leading to the disposal of all contents. The handwashing sink in the butcher section did not get hot enough. No follow-up inspection has occurred.
- Waldo Cafe, a brunch and lunch restaurant in Waldo, was found to have a live cockroach under a storage shelf, with mouse droppings observed in four locations around the kitchen. There was also “white/grey fuzzy growth” spotted on a tomato container. No follow-up inspection has occurred.
- Shawnee Mission Parkway Price Chopper had an employee unable to identify the type and slicing date of meat on a deli tray. A knife handle was noticed to be held together with duct tape. No follow-up inspection has occurred.
- Raj Express, an Indian restaurant near Johnson County Community College, had mouse droppings present and a medium-sized roach found in a stock pot. The refrigerator was not keeping food cold enough, and the establishment had received a bad inspection on October 1. A scheduled follow-up inspection has yet to occur.
Regulatory Actions
As a result of these findings, the local health departments have taken regulatory actions leading to suspensions of some establishments due to inactivity. The reports and full inspection details are accessible at designated public health inspection sites, providing transparency about health violations and regulatory compliance.
Conclusion
The recent inspections underline significant food safety concerns in the Kansas City area, highlighting the need for diners to be aware of potential hazards present in their local restaurants. Ongoing inspections and prompt responses to violations are crucial to ensuring public health and safety.
FAQ
What violations were found during the health inspections?
Numerous violations were found, including improper food storage, lack of handwashing facilities, and pest infestations.
How many restaurants have been suspended due to inactivity?
Three eateries in the area have been suspended due to inactivity, suggesting potential closures.
Which specific restaurants were cited for health violations?
Restaurants cited include Sake Lounge, Antojitos del Peru, Flame Grill and Mediterranean Bakery, Prime Sushi, Snack Bar, China Garden, World Fresh Market, Waldo Cafe, Shawnee Mission Parkway Price Chopper, and Raj Express.
Have follow-up inspections occurred for the cited restaurants?
No follow-up inspections have occurred for the majority of the restaurants cited, except for Raj Express, which has a scheduled follow-up that hasn’t yet taken place.
Where can I access more information about these inspections?
The reports and full inspection details are accessible at specified public health inspection sites.
Key Features Table
| Restaurant | Violations | Follow-Up Inspection Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sake Lounge | Improper food storage, unclean handwashing facilities | No |
| Antojitos del Peru | Dishwasher issues, missing food preparation dates | No |
| Flame Grill and Mediterranean Bakery | Broken dishwashing sink, improper drink storage | No |
| Prime Sushi | Drill near food, improper food storage | No |
| Snack Bar | Improper food storage and hot water issues | No |
| China Garden | Pest issues, improper storage practices | No |
| World Fresh Market | Cooler failure, inadequate handwashing facilities | No |
| Waldo Cafe | Pest issues, unsanitary growth on food items | No |
| Shawnee Mission Parkway Price Chopper | Improper meat handling practices | No |
| Raj Express | Pest issues, inadequate refrigeration | Scheduled |
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Additional Resources
- Kansas City News Source 1
- Wikipedia: Food Safety
- Kansas City News Source 2
- Google Search: Food Safety Inspections
- Kansas City News Source 3
- Google Scholar: Food Inspections
- Kansas City News Source 4
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Regulations
- Kansas City News Source 5
- Google News: Restaurant Health 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.
