‘Black Slime,’ Live Roaches: Health Violations Found at Kansas City Area Restaurants

During the last week of June, food inspectors in Missouri and Kansas cited several Kansas City area restaurants for serious health code violations — some as severe as rotting food, insect infestations, and unsafe food temperatures.

From June 22 to 28, at least 11 establishments in Kansas City and Johnson and Wyandotte counties received seven or more priority or critical violations. Four locations were shut down or voluntarily closed due to safety concerns.

Notable Violations Included:

La Fuente Mexican Street Food (Kansas City, KS): 13 violations, including raw beef stored in plastic grocery bags and widespread soiled kitchen surfaces.
Joy Wok (Waldo): 12 violations, such as black buildup in the ice machine and improperly cooled meat. Still had 2 violations after a follow-up.
Aqua Penny’s at Park Place (Leawood): 11 violations including mold on hummus and 3-month-old miso paste.
Viva Tacos and Tequila (Olathe): 10 violations. No running water at the handwashing station.
Joy Wok Super Buffet (Northland): 9 violations, including green mold on sauce buckets and leaking equipment.
The Big Biscuit (Shawnee): 9 violations. Water dripping on turkey and a dead mouse left in a trap.
888 International Market (Overland Park): 8 violations. Flies found in salted jellyfish and missing safety records.
Dos Reales (Shawnee): 8 violations, including “black slime” on soda nozzles.
Antioch Bar and Grill (Northland): 7 violations, like heavy grease behind fryers. All violations were corrected by July 3.
District Fish & Pasta (Brookside area): 7 violations. No food handler cards and buildup on walls and dishes.
Parker at The Fontaine (Plaza Hotel): 7 violations. Moldy cheddar cheese and “excessive fruit flies.” All issues corrected by July 1.

Restaurant Closures:

Crossroad Food Stop: Licenses for seven ghost kitchen restaurants were suspended on June 27 due to inactivity.
Amruta Vilas on Wheels (Olathe): Voluntarily closed after lacking a refrigerator and hot water.
Tacos El Viejon (Olathe): Closed after 15-20 live cockroaches and numerous other bugs were found. Reopened on July 2 after passing reinspection.
Big D Convenience Deli (KC East Side): Shut down June 24 for no hot water and unpaid fees. Follow-up occurred June 30.

Most restaurants have plans for follow-up inspections or have already addressed some of the violations. Complete inspection reports can be accessed through the Kansas and Missouri health department websites.

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