Food inspection report: Springfield restaurant's menu item misleading

Dec 31, 2023

A Springfield restaurant was cited for advertising chicken-fried steak but serving pork tenderloin, according to the June 6 Springfield-Greene County food inspection report.

A March food inspection report noted that Lorena's Cafe, 513 West Bypass, had been selling the tenderloin as steak, and that if the violation was still happening by the next routine inspection, that the restaurant would be cited. A June 6 report listed "menu states chicken-fried steak but facility is serving pork tenderloin instead" as one of the restaurant's nine non-priority violations.

The restaurant also had two priority violations: a prep cooler not holding food below 41 degrees, and the presence of "drain flies" and a spider behind the ice machine. Any potentially hazardous food in the cooler was voluntarily discarded.

According to the report, a re-inspection will take place on or after June 9 to verify that the prep cooler is holding food at the correct temperature, "as well as some of the other violations."

Food inspections take place one to three times a year, depending on the type of food served, the population served, difficulty of food preparation and past history. Restaurants preparing food from raw ingredients are inspected more often "than convenience stores that serve only non-potentially hazardous foods, such as popcorn and soda," according to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

Each report identifies what was happening at the establishment at that time. Consumers who want to know whether a violation is a one-time thing or a pattern are encouraged to refer to previous reports.

More:Frequent reader of Greene County food inspections? Here's what inspectors want you to know

Issues found during inspection fall into either priority or non-priority violations. Priority violations impact the safety of the food, such as cross contamination between raw and ready-to-eat food, improper food temperature and poor personal hygiene and employee health. Multiple priority violations can lead to an establishment being shut down. Non-priority violations alone do not directly affect food safety, such as dirty floors, sticky tabletops or outside trash cans not being covered.

Here are food inspections from the last week:

Last week:One in five Greene Co. food establishments inspected this week need a second look

Aramark-Chase, 303 Republic Road, Springfield. June 5 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations observed.

Arby's Roast Beef Restaurant No. 8274, 230 S. West Bypass, Springfield. June 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed wet mops stored in bottom of mop sink.

Archie's Italian Eatery, 1410 E. Republic Road, Springfield. June 2 re-inspection – Result: active. No violations cited at time of re-inspection.

Avanzare Italian Dining, 1908 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. June 7 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted at time of inspection.

Baymont Inn & Suites, 1610 E. Evergreen St., Springfield. June 1 re-inspection – Result: active. Priority violations were corrected prior to re-inspection. Establishment has a new cooler and butter is being kept in the self-serve cooler now. No violations cited.

Braum's Ice Cream No. 275, 4125 S. National Ave., Springfield. June 5 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed cream cheese sitting out at room temperature and measuring 74 degrees Fahrenheit, when required to be held at 41 degrees or below. Item was discarded. No non-priority violations.

Cedars Restaurant, 3322 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. June 2 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed coleslaw sitting in ice bath at 57 degrees when required to be at 41 degrees or below. Coleslaw was discarded. No non-priority violations.

Cherry Picker Package and Fare, 601 S. Pickwick Ave., Springfield. June 2 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed hummus in walk-in cooler measured at 45 degrees, and was voluntarily discarded. One non-priority violation: Observed raw shell eggs stored over ready-to-eat foods, which were then moved to bottom shelf.

Chipotle Mexican Grill No. 1090, 1211 E. St. Louis St., Springfield. June 5 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited at time of inspection.

Club Demonstration Services, Inc, 279 N. Eastgate Ave., Springfield. June 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations observed during the inspection.

Dani's Flour Pot Bakery, 1427 E. Cherry St., Springfield. June 2 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited at time of inspection.

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Domino's Pizza, 1241 E. Kearney St., Springfield. June 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed daylight visible along bottom of back exterior door, which was repeat violation and education was given.

El Salvador Pupuseria y Mas, LLC, 2463 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. June 4 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed container of raw chicken stored over soda cans and drink bottles in reach-in refrigerator, which was corrected at the time of the inspection.

Fieldhouse Grille, 2235 W. Kingsley St., Springfield. June 1 complaint inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed moisture and mold-type substance beneath prep cooler/pizza cutting board. Cutting board was removed from prep unit immediately and the cooler surface was washed, rinsed and sanitized immediately.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, 2305 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. June 7 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: Observed can opener blade was dirty, which was corrected on site and education was given; observed vegetable slicer and dicer was not clean, which was corrected on site and education was given. Two non-priority violations: Observed daylight coming through bottom of back exterior kitchen door, which is repeat violation; observed both soda machines along the upper back splash area not found clean.

Gunny's Mill, 1414 W. Farm Road 102, Springfield. June 5 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Three non-priority violations: Observed ice machine chute was dirty; observed mop head stored in mop sink; observed kitchen hand-washing sink found blocked, and education was given.

Harter House, Deli/Meat Strafford, 421 E. Old Route 66, Strafford. June 5 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed multiple deli meats and cheeses not date labeled, so education was given and violation was corrected on-site by staff date-labeling meats and cheeses. Four non-priority violations: Observed hand sink not being accessible for employees; observed foods in walk-in freezer being stored on the floor and food single-use articles being stored on the floor in the deli prep area; observed old raw meat particles and juices throughout the prep area on walls and floor, with meat grinder station was found unclean with raw pieces of meat on shelves and all over the floor; observed leaking condensation pipe in meat walk-in cooler.

Hemingway's, 1 Bass Pro Drive, Springfield. June 5 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed cocktail sauce tested at 48 degrees, salsa at 44 degrees and mayonnaise at 45 degrees, all of which were voluntarily discarded. Manager stated they would change to using bar mounts in the cooler to fix the issue, and if the problem is not fixable, they would move to time as control for units unable to hold temperature. Re-inspection required. No non-priority violations.

Houlihan's North, 2431 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. June 6 routine inspection – Result: active. Three priority violations: Observed hand sanitizers stored above pitches of drinks, education was given and corrected on site; observed spray bottles were unlabeled, education was given and corrected on site; observed vegetable slicer was stored not clean, education was given and corrected on site. One non-priority violation: Observed old date labeling sticker residue on the outside of food containers.

Huey Magoo's, 3352 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. June 6 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations at time of inspection.

Jimmy John's No. 816, 2645 N. Kansas Expressway, Springfield. June 7 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed large bag of sugar stored on floor of walk-in freezer; observed number of meat pans on shelf stacked prior to being allowed to air dry.

Jordan's Inn Chinese Restaurant, 423 E. Old Route 66, Strafford. June 1 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed marinated raw beef stored over uncooked wonton dough, education provided and corrected on site by staff re-organizing cooler contents. No non-priority violations.

Kum & Go No. 483, 2404 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. June 5 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed five boxes of Airborne tabs expired Dec. 2022, which were discarded/returned to manufacturer.

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Kum & Go No. 561, 3445 E. Kearney St., Springfield. June 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited during inspection.

Kung Fu Taco, 3354 S. National Ave., Springfield. June 4 offsite inspection – Result: active. Inspector requested establishment get more ice for their cooler holding salads, and person in charge complied. No violations cited.

La Cucina Italiana, LLC, 540 W. McDaniel St., Springfield. June 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

La Quinta, 2535 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. June 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Lalo's Tacos, food truck. June 4 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed foods at over 41 degrees in reach-in cooler, like cheese at 49 degrees and cabbage at 50 degrees, which were moved to prep cooler. No non-priority violations.

Leslie's Mexican Supermarket - Restaurant, 216 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. June 6 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Two priority violations: Observed two potentially hazardous foods (barbacoa at 109 degrees and carnitas at 110 degrees) not being properly hot held at 135 degrees or higher, education was given and staff corrected violation by reheating foods to 165 degrees; observed multiple prepared foods in walk-in cooler not properly date labeled, education given and will conduct re-inspection. No non-priority violations.

Lorena's Cafe, 513 N. West Bypass, Springfield. June 6 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Several potentially hazardous food items in prep refrigerator were voluntarily discarded, because they had been out of temperature. A reinspection will be made on or after June 9 to verify correction of this as well as some other violations. Also please remove the old cardboard on shelf in back of kitchen, this can be a place that insects make a home. Two priority violations: Observed prep refrigerator running at 55 degrees, and several items were voluntarily discarded; observed some drain flies and a spider behind the ice machine. Nine non-priority violations: Observed paper towel dispenser at main hand sink works intermittently; observed menu states chicken-fried steak but facility is serving pork tenderloin instead; observed men's restroom door does not self-close; observed some shelves in walk-in refrigerator as well as counters in kitchen weren't clean; observed cook had long beard that was not restrained; observed condensation dripping into walk-in freezer and had moderate ice build-up; observed open plastic foam cup partially full of a drink was found on a shelf in the dry storage area; observed a few areas with broken floor tiles in kitchen and near dishwashing area; observed the floor in the dry storage area and parts of the kitchen weren't clean.

Love's Travel Stop & Country Stores, Inc, 400 N. State Highway 125, Strafford. June 5 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited during inspection.

McDonald's, 1221 E. Kingsley St., Springfield. June 5 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Mr. Goodcents Subs & Pastas, 2445 N. Kansas Expressway, Springfield. June 1 routine inspection – Result: active. Out of toilet paper in men's restroom; promptly corrected. ToGo refrigerator running 42 degrees and icing up, owner will get it checked. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed one door on front cabinet is not securely attached; observed return air vents in restrooms coated with debris.

Not'Cho Ordinary Taco, 440 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. June 4 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed large prep cooler holding potentially hazardous food items such as salsa and dressings at 43 to 44 degrees, which were moved to an alternate prep cooler. Two non-priority violations: Observed non-food contact surfaces of equipment and around equipment has build-up of grease, cleaning frequency should be increased; observed several flies in unit.

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Ott's Pasta Carry Out, 1437 E. Cherry St., Springfield. June 2 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed mop sink being used as storage rather than for purpose of a mop sink.

Panera Bread, 1570 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. June 1 complaint inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Pawpaw's Kookies and Kreme Ice Cream Parlor, 101 E. Old Route 66, Strafford. June 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited during inspection.

Pita Pit of Springfield, 3233 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. June 6 routine inspection – Result: . No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed no sanitizer test kit; observed label residue on outside of food containers.

Price Cutter Plus No. 51 Bakery/Retail, 4228 S. National Ave., Springfield. June 2 re-inspection – Result: active. No violations cited at time of inspection.

Price Cutter Plus No. 51 Deli, 4228 S. National Ave., Springfield. June 2 re-inspection – Result: active. No violations cited at time of inspection.

Sam's Southern Eatery 2, 2259 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. June 6 compliance check – Result: out of compliance. Cold holding violation observed. Slaw tested at 48 degrees and ambient air tested at 48 degrees for two-door prep table near stove. Risk control plan will be extended for an additional month and compliance checks will continue. All potentially hazardous foods inside two-door prep table were discarded: one bucket of slaw, one diced tomato, bologna, ground beef, and shrimp. One priority violation: Observed coleslaw tested at 48 degrees and ambient air tested at 48 degrees for two-door prep table near stove, all potentially hazardous foods in two-door prep table were discarded. No non-priority violations.

Smokin Bobs BBQ, 3309 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. June 5 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited at time of inspection.

Sonic Drive-In, 411 S. Miller Road, Willard. June 8 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. A re-inspection will be made on or after June 13 to check that cold water faucet at three-vat sink near drive-up window is operation. No priority violations. Four non-priority violations: Observed inside and outside of ice machine was not clean; observed at least three employees had long hair that was only pulled back into a ponytail; observed cold water was not operational at three-vat sink near drive-up window; observed the floor of the walk-in refrigerator and freezer as well as other areas of the kitchen floor were not clean.

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Sunshine Lanes-Bar and Snack Bar, 1500 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. June 1 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed sliced tomato tested at 45 degrees, and ambient air tested at 45 degrees in two-door prep cooler. All potentially hazardous foods in two-door prep cooler were discarded, education was provided and re-inspection required.

Sushi Kabar - Price Cutter, 335 N. Nolting Ave., Springfield. June 1 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed establishment did not follow the hazard analysis and critical control point plan procedures for testing pH of rice after addition of vinegar, which resulted in rice not at the proper pH. Proper pH is less than 4.01, rice was 4.3. Violation was corrected by education on how to properly sample for pH analysis — pull rice from five different spots, not just the middle. Added more vinegar to rice until pH was less than 4.01.

Tea Bar & Bites, 621 S. Pickwick Ave., Springfield. June 2 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed cooler not cold-holding at or below 41 degrees (ambient temperature of cooler at 55 degrees, pesto at 47 degrees), which were voluntarily discarded. One non-priority violation: Observed food being thawed in the hand sink, which was removed from hand sink and education was given.

The Big Slice, 4126 S. Kansas Expressway, Springfield. June 2 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted at time of inspection.

Travellers House Coffee, 2151 E. Republic Road, Springfield. June 2 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed sriracha spread at 44 to 45 degrees on top of containers in top of prep cooler, ham stored above as well. Both items moved to bottom of unit. Front-of-house small reach-in cooler No. 1 holding almond milk at 44 degrees. Potentially hazardous food items moved to cooler in kitchen immediately. Corrected on-site. No non-priority violations.

USA Investments MO124, 125 S. State Highway 125, Strafford. June 5 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed hand sink was filled with empty spray bottle and other items; observed drinks being stored on floor of walk-in cooler and customer aisle.

Walnut Street Inn, 900 E. Walnut St., Springfield. June 2 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited at time of inspection.

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West Bypass Eagle Stop, 3459 W. Division St., Springfield. June 5 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed quaternary ammonia sanitizer at three-vat sink was less than 100 parts per million and container was empty, so employees replaced jug and primed unit. Two non-priority violations: Observed seal on walk-in beverage cooler was in poor repair; observed battery-powered paper towel dispenser in back area was not operational.

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, 500 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. June 7 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited at time of inspection.

Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].