by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch
May 21, 2025

Mouse droppings, ants and expired food found after Iowa restaurant inspections.

State, city and county inspectors have cited Iowa restaurants and stores for hundreds of food-safety violations during the past five weeks, including offenses related to rodents, expired food and operating without a license.

The findings are reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, which handles food-establishment inspections at the state level. Listed below are some of the more serious findings that stem from inspections at Iowa restaurants, stores, care facilities and other businesses between April 17 and May 13. (In March, DIAL began withholding from public disclosure, for eight days past the date of inspection, all food-safety inspection reports.)

The inspections department reminds the public that their reports are a “snapshot” in time, and violations are often corrected on the spot before the inspector leaves the establishment. For a more complete list of all inspections, along with additional details on each of the inspections listed below, visit the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing’s website.

Dairy Queen, 1100 N. 2nd St., Cherokee — During a May 13 visit, a Siouxland District Health Department inspector cited this restaurant for seven risk-factor violations, noting that chili that had been left to cool from the previous day had not been reheated to 165 degrees within two hours as required. The inspector allowed the establishment to correct the violation by reheating the chili in a microwave oven.

The inspector also noticed that “various items” — including lettuce and ranch dressing that was made on site — were dated in a manner that suggested the items could be used past the maximum of seven days. Also, the ice machine was visibly soiled, and there was no hot water or soap at the handwashing sink near the front counter. In addition, a box of ice cream cones was stored directly on the floor, the front-counter coolers were visibly soiled and there was some sort of buildup on the cake-making table.

The inspector also reported that condensation in the walk-in cooler was not draining, resulting in a “visible water buildup” on the floor, and there was some sort of unidentified “visible buildup observed on flooring throughout kitchen area.”

King Buck’s, 6719 University Ave., Cedar Falls — During a May 13 visit, a Black Hawk County Health Department inspector cited this establishment for 12 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number.

Among the problems: The person in charge was not ensuring proper food safety in the areas of handwashing and proper holding temperatures; frozen foods were left uncovered in the freezer, risking contamination; pulled pork that was sitting in a warming unit was measured at 111 degrees, and burgers sitting in a warmer were measured at 125 degrees, both of which were too cool to ensure food safety.

Also, homemade sauces were left unrefrigerated, unspecified food items inside the walk-in cooler had been held for more than the seven-day maximum, the ice machine had an unidentified buildup of black debris, and there was no hot water supplied to the handwashing sink behind the bar.

The inspector also made note of “fly activity” in the kitchen. The inspector observed that the establishment used to be a Burger King and the hot-holding equipment left behind by Burger King was not keeping items at or above the minimum of 135 degrees.

Tapz Pub, 8450 Hickman Road, Clive — During a May 13 visit, a state inspector reported that wings prepared in a kitchen owned by someone other than Tapz Pub were being transferred into the pub. The wings were discarded, as were four tubs of wings that had no date-markings to ensure freshness and safety. Other foods were dated in a manner that suggested they had been kept longer than the seven-day maximum, including sausage that was dated April 29 and shredded cheddar dated May 1.

In addition, the dishwashing machine was not properly sanitizing dishes and was in need of service. The inspector also noted that the restaurant was operating without a license, having opened before obtaining approval from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing.

Three Samurai, 1801 2nd St., Coralville — During a May 13 visit, a Johnson County Health Department inspector found pho broth holding inside a walk-in cooler at 44 degrees after being placed in the cooler the day before. The broth, which had yet to cool to 41 degrees, was discarded. Also, several items in the sushi food line were not being held at 41 degrees or colder, including raw tuna, salmon, beef and white fish. In addition, containers of house-made sauces, roasted garlic cloves, kimchi and milk were not date-marked t ensure freshness and safety.

The inspector also observed that the establishment lacked a thin-tipped, probe-style thermometer to check food temperatures, there was a hole in the ceiling with insulation hanging down, and there was a heavy buildup of debris on the ceiling vent and ceiling tiles. The restaurant’s posted license was expired, and the most recent inspection report had not been posted for public viewing. (The previous routine inspection had resulted in the business being cited for 13 risk-factor violations, an exceptionally high number.)

Sisters African Food Market, 2210 Edgewood Road, Cedar Rapids — During a May 12 visit to this grocery store and meat-processing operation, a Linn County Public Health Department inspector reported that he discussed with managers the fact that “meat processing must be in a cooler temperature area — not 80 degrees — or chilled quickly.”

The inspector also observed that employees appeared to lack knowledge as to how to prepare sanitizing solution for use in the kitchen and lacked knowledge as to effective sanitization methods for meat processing. The workers also appeared to lack knowledge as to the proper methods of thawing frozen food, storing food and handling ready-to-eat food items.

The meat table and food-preparation areas were marred by debris and unnecessary equipment, such as maintenance tools, linens and bags, the inspector reported, and the was no handwashing soap at the handwashing sink in the meat-processing area and no paper towels in the employee or customer restrooms. In addition, various packaged foods were being stored on the floor in the freezer, cooler and kitchen. The store’s last routine inspection was in August 2022.

Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, 320 Collins Road NE, Cedar Rapids — During a May 8 visit, a Linn County Public Health Department inspector reported that several employees were observed changing gloves without first washing their hands, and that raw meats were being stored above ready-to-eat food inside a cooler, risking cross-contamination. Also, steam-table sauces were being held at 98 to 130 degrees and had to be discarded, and a mixture of fresh garlic and butter was being stored at room temperature rather than being refrigerated.

The inspector also reported that food items were being stored past the seven-day maximum, including pastrami that was dated April 29, langostino sauce dated April 19, and ham that was dated April 28. Also, the walls and ceilings in the bar area and the walk-in cooler were soiled. The visit was in response to an illness complaint. The complaint was deemed unverified.

Tommy’s Café, 916 W. 3rd St., Davenport — During a May 6 visit, a Scott County Health Department inspector reported that employees of Tommy’s Café were “not washing hands and using gloves” when touching raw and ready-to-eat foods and that several food items were left uncovered in a cooler, risking contamination.

In addition, several unspecified food items in the cooler were not date-marked to ensure freshness and safety. The inspector also found an opened can of applesauce dated April 10, and reported that “all kitchen equipment” was marred by excess food debris and grease. In addition, a metal plate inside the bulk ice chest had a pink substance on it.

“Entire premises has mouse-like droppings on the floors and on shelving,” the inspector reported, and shelving throughout the business was marred by dust and debris. “Floors, walls and ceiling throughout the facility has excess grease and dust,” the inspector added. The visit was in response to a non-illness complaint of some unspecified nature. The complaint was deemed verified.

La Casa Azul, 708 1st Ave., Coralville — During a May 1 visit, a Johnson County Public Health Department inspector noted that raw beef steaks were stored above cooked chicken within the walk-in cooler, risking cross-contamination. Also, shrimp was being cooked to an internal temperature of only 120 degrees and had to be returned to a flat-top grill and cooked until it reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees.

In addition, cut lettuce was not date-marked to ensure freshness and safety, and house-made ranch sauce dated April 23 had been held longer than the maximum of seven days. The inspector also reported finding “multiple bottles of Raid” pesticide not formulated for use in food-service establishments, and noted there was no thin-tipped, probe-style thermometer on site for checking the internal temperature of food. In addition, there were bags of whole onions and canned foods stored “on the ground outside,” and the previous inspection report had not been posted for public viewing.

Back Berner Bar & Grill, 607 E. Marengo Road, Tiffin — During an April 30 visit, a Johnson County Public Health Department inspector reported that multiple house-made sauces — including garlic parmesan dated April 16, buffalo sauce dated April 11, and secret sauce dated April 21 — had been held past the seven-day maximum and had to be discarded. In addition, the thin-tipped, probe-style thermometer used to check food temperatures was inoperable, and there was an excessive buildup of debris on the soda dispenser at the bar. Also, the most recent inspection report had not been posted for public viewing.

Beach Pub, 1022 Front St., Buffalo — During an April 29 visit, a Scott County Health Department inspector noted the people in charge were “not ensuring that dishes throughout the facility are being properly sanitized” and failed to ensure that food items were being date-marked to ensure freshness and safety. Also, vegetables were mingled with raw fish inside a bag within the walk-in cooler, and various, unspecified items inside the cooler had no date-markings on them – a repeat violation.

The Fountains Assisted Living Center, 3752 Thunder Ridge Road, Bettendorf — During an April 29 visit, a Scott County Health Department inspector noted that a server was eating in the independent living kitchen in violation of regulations. Also, one large plastic container of potato soup prepared the day before had yet to cool to 41 degrees and was discarded. In addition, a small cooler was holding multiple food products, including cut tomatoes, cheese and dressing at 46 to 50 degrees, rather than 41 degrees or colder.

“Multiple prepared or opened food products were observed throughout the independent living and assisted living kitchens without proper date-marking,” the inspector reported, adding that the undated items included taco meat, cubed ham, corned beef, meatloaf and deli meat. The inspector also found egg salad with a preparation date of April 21 and which had to be discarded.

“Multiple food-contact surfaces were observed throughout the facility with a buildup of soil, grease, and food debris,” the inspector reported. A “used cigarette butt” was found in the bin used to store clean kitchen utensils, and several pieces of equipment required additional cleaning and sanitizing.

Also, salmon was being improperly thawed in a manner that would make spoilage hard to detect; the stainless steel shelves, dish carts, stainless steel rack all had a buildup of soil and debris, and a handwashing sink was clogged and not properly draining.

Golden Corral, 5202 Elmore Ave., Davenport — During an April 29 visit, a Scott County Health Department inspector cited this business for 10 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number. The inspector noted there were “ants present in the dining area,” and “mouse droppings were found in all cabinets under the hot- and cold-holding areas.” In addition, ventilation hoods, floors, fryer cabinets, gas lines, and the walk-in cooler racks were marred by “dust, debris and gunk.”

Also, cans of beans and green chiles were either dented or were bulging. The inspector also reported that the compressor in the walk-in cooler was leaking fluid onto packages of food — a repeat violation. Ant spray that was not approved for use in food establishments was sitting next to the coffee creamer in the area set aside for waitresses.

The visit was in response to a complaint alleging there were cockroaches and mice in the restaurant, the building was not clean, and the staff was not cooking food to the proper temperature and was storing out-of-date food. “No roaches were observed but mouse droppings were observed, as were ants,” the inspector reported. “There are several areas in need of cleaning and sanitizing. Raw fish and chicken were stored at room temperatures with an internal temperature of between 55 degrees and 58 degrees, (but) all food was at the proper date range.”  The complaint was deemed verified.

Pho Viet, 5002 E.P. True Parkway, West Des Moines — During an April 29 visit, a state inspector cited this business for 10 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number. The inspector noted the restaurant did not employ a certified food protection manager as required, and that food-service employees were cutting raw jalapeno garnish with their bare hands. Also, the kitchen’s handwashing sink was being used as a dump sink for food, dishes or utensils and access to it was obstructed by large buckets of cut salad.

In addition, raw eggs were being sourced from an unlicensed vendor; cooked chicken was measured at 71 degrees; cut lettuce was stored at 65 degrees; and multiple house-prepared food items had no production dates to ensure freshness and safety. The inspector also reported finding shrimp that was “thawing directly on the floor, beef thawing on a countertop, and several bags of partially frozen chicken wings thawing on a tabletop.” Throughout the kitchen, various sauces, shrimp, lettuce and stocks were being stored directly on the floor.

Iowa 80 Kitchen, 755 W. Iowa 80 Road, Walcott — During an April 23 visit, a Scott County Health Department inspector cited this business for 10 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number.  “Witnessed employee removing an English muffin from customer plate and then scraping off butter and placing it back on the plate to be served,” the inspector reported. The inspector noted that the cold salad bar was holding items at 46 degrees rather than 41 degrees or colder, and so all of the items in the salad bar had to be removed.

Also, unspecified food items inside the walk-in meat cooler were marked with dates to ensure freshness and safety, which was a repeat violation. “All plastic food carts in kitchen area has excess food debris,” the inspector reported. “Inside kitchen coolers and freezers has excess food debris. Microwave in kitchen has excess food debris inside … Mouse-like droppings found in cabinet underneath the coffee machine in wait service area out front.”

Indian Garden, 2503 E. 53rd St., Bettendorf — During an April 22 visit, a Scott County Health Department inspector cited this restaurant for 12 risk-factor violations, an exceptionally high number. Food products pulled from the freezer and placed in the walk-in cooler had no date-markings to ensure freshness and safety; a container of mint yogurt was marked with a preparation date of April 10, indicating it was held for longer than the seven-day maximum; and some kitchen utensils or equipment were marred by “dried food debris, soil and/or grime.”

Also, a cooked container of tofu was sitting out at room temperature and was measured at 69 degrees, “stuffing for bread that contains cooked onions” was observed sitting out at room temperature, and packages of raw chicken breasts were left to thaw at room temperature. The inspector also observed that the flooring between and behind the cooking equipment had a buildup of grease and food debris, as did the sides of the fryer and the containers holding clean dishware. “Urine spots were observed on the toilet seats in both the women’s and men’s restroom,” the inspector added.

The inspector also noted that although the establishment was barred from serving mixed drinks until it had a handwashing sink in the bar area, there were bottles of liquor seen in the bar area.

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: [email protected].