Restaurant inspection update: Mold, expired food and ‘deceased pests’ reported

by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch

July 24, 2025

State, city and county inspectors have cited Iowa restaurants and stores for hundreds of food-safety violations during the past month, including offenses related to mold, dirty kitchens, long expired food and insect infestations.

In one instance, a Tama restaurant that was inspected in response to a complaint was found to be operating without a license. It had last been inspected in October 2022. In another instance, a Council Bluffs restaurant agreed to temporarily close in the wake of its inspection, but was open and doing business the next day when the inspector returned.

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 June 18 and July 15. (Earlier this year, 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.

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, 1505 W. 19^th St., Newton — During a July 1 visit, a state inspector cited this restaurant for 10 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number. Among the problems: The person in charge was not a certified food protection manager; flying insects were observed sitting on the sliced mushrooms; and food in one of the refrigerators was holding at well above the 41-degree maximum, including diced ham and shredded cheese that was measured at 64 degrees, and sausage, tomatoes and hash browns that were measured at 65 or 66 degrees. All of the items had to be discarded.

Also, some foods were marked with preparation dates in the future, and other foods had been held past their stated discard date — including fire-roasted tomatoes with a discard date of June 20, and rice with a discard date of June 22.

The inspector also observed that the ice cream freezers and the interiors of the microwave ovens were soiled with a buildup of food, and that two refrigeration units were not operational or were in poor repair. In addition, salmon filets were being thawed while still sealed in vacuum packaging, creating a risk that any spoilage would go undetected, and there was no working, probe-type food thermometer in the building.

“Multiple flying insects were observed in the kitchen on the food-production line,” the inspector reported. “Pests were observed on food … Staff stated that fruits and vegetables are not washed or rinsed before use … Shelving and drawers are soiled with dried food debris.  Interiors of ice cream freezers have a buildup of a mold-like substance. Walls and floors in the kitchen, prep area, and dish area have a grease residue … Soiled water has pooled on the floor.”

The visit was in response to a non-illness complaint regarding general facility sanitation and pest control.  The complaint was deemed verified.

The Machine Shed, 7250 Northwest Boulevard, Davenport — During a July 15 visit, a Scott County inspector noted that multiple, unspecified food products were being held past their seven-day maximum. Also, soy sauce that was to be refrigerated was sitting on a shelf at room temperature; several food products had been left uncovered, creating a risk of contamination; half-and-half creamer at the waitress station was measured at 45 to 62 degrees and had to be discarded, as did soup that was measured at 50 degrees.

The fans in the walk-in cooler were marred by “debris and gunk buildup,” the inspector reported.

The inspection was in response to a complaint related to rats and roaches, food temperatures and cleanliness. The inspector reported that no evidence of rats, mice or roaches was observed. The inspector reported that while some items were not held at the proper temperature, other food items were being cooled properly. The complaint was deemed “verifiable,” the inspector reported.

Joy’s Mongolian Grill, 112 Hayward Ave., Ames — During a July 14 visit, a state inspector observed raw chicken and beef being stored above ready-to-eat salad bar ingredients inside a cooler, risking cross-contamination. Also, the food slicer was not being cleaned every four hours when in use, and the handwashing sink was being used to store plastic tubs.

In addition, chicken was left to thaw in a sink basin without a continuous flow of water over it; there was no thin-tipped thermometer to check the temperature of meat; and there were no chlorine test strips available to check the sanitizing solution used on food-contact surfaces.

The inspection was in response to a complaint from a customer who alleged they became ill after eating at the establishment. The complaint was deemed unverified.

According to state records, the most recent previous routine inspection conducted at Joy’s Mongolian Grill was in September 2022.

La Taqueria–The Taco Depot, 2665 Edgewood Road SW, Cedar Rapids — During a July 14 visit, a Linn County inspector concluded that employees of the establishment failed to adhere to “basic temperature parameters of cooking” and storing food. The restaurant was also operating with no certified food protection manager on site, the inspected added.

Among the problems: The staff was not checking the temperature of the food prior to cooking or holding; raw chicken was stored above beef and pork inside the walk-in cooler, risking cross-contamination; and “blood was leaking” onto a package of chicken.  Also, the temperature of the reach-in cooler was measured at 57 degrees, and all of the cooked or raw food within it was holding at 45 to 56 degrees – including “cooked guts” and cooked pork.

The inspector reported that he “advised” the restaurant to not serve any of the food that had been prepared the previous day that was still at room temperature.

According to state records, the most recent previous routine inspection conducted at La Taqueria–The Taco Depot was in July 2023.

Valley Inn Ale House, 24575 Valley Drive, Pleasant Valley — During a July 11 visit, a Scott County inspector observed a container of raw chicken being stored on top of a container of cooked chicken wings, creating a risk of cross-contamination. Also, a shallow plastic plan was holding slices of cheese at 53 to 54 degrees, and two bottles of cream-based dressings were stored at 54 to 60 degrees. At the inspector’s direction, the cheese was moved to a different pan and the dressings were placed in a refrigerated unit.

The inspector also reported that multiple temperature-controlled food products were being stored at 42 to 49 degrees and had to be moved to a properly functioning cooler. In addition, several prepared food products had to be discarded as they were being held in the walk-in cooler long past their seven-day maximum — including potato soup and baked beans that were dated June 19, and sauerkraut that was dated June 6.

“The interior of both prep coolers on the cook line were observed with a buildup of soil and food debris,” the inspector reported. “The large mixer was observed with a buildup of dried food debris. The blade of the large can opener was observed with a buildup of soil … The popcorn scoop and scoop container were observed with a buildup of leftover grease and food debris. These food contact surfaces require additional cleaning and sanitizing.”

Two knives stored as “clean” and one set of tongs from the clean-dish rack were noted to be marred by dried food debris, and the inspector observed there were no hand soap or paper towels at the handwashing sink behind the bar. Also, the walk-in freezer was marred by a buildup of ice accumulation on the walls and ceiling, and the filters located above the cooking equipment were marred by a buildup of grease and dust.

Baymont Inn and Suites, 400 Jason Way Court, Davenport — During a July 10 visit, a Scott County inspector reported the staff was not properly trained in cooling food items, the proper temperatures for holding hot and cold food, the use of gloves, or the proper method of sanitizing food-contact surfaces.

The inspector observed one employee providing breakfast service while using her phone, wearing gloves that she failed to change between tasks. Also, the waffle mix was left sitting out at room temperature and was not cooled after mixing, resulting in it being discarded.

In addition, the sausage links in the food-preparation room had been left sitting out at room temperature and were measured at 87 degrees, and the cooked scrambled eggs were sitting in the hot-holding unit at only 120 degrees.

The inspector also reported that the small refrigeration unit in the dining area was holding milk at 42 to 44 degrees rather than 41 degrees or colder. At the time of the inspection, the hotel had no chemical sanitizer on hand and the staff was unable to properly explain and demonstrate how to wash, rinse and sanitize dishes.

China Wok, 2412 W. Broadway, Council Bluffs — During a July 10 visit, a state inspector concluded that due to the nature and frequency of the violations observed throughout the inspection, the person in charge was not fulfilling their duties. Cooked chicken was being held at the room temperature of 87 degrees and the restaurant had no date-marking procedures in place to ensure freshness and safety. In addition, raw chicken was stored over raw shrimp, risking cross-contamination.

“Live insects observed in kitchen and storage areas,” the inspector reported. “Foods stored directly on the floor in the walk-in cooler… Kitchen floors and walls are not clean.”  The inspection was in response to a non-illness complaint regarding general sanitation. The complaint deemed verified. “Facility voluntarily closed,” the inspector reported without elaborating.

The inspector returned the next day, on July 11, 2025, to find the restaurant open and operating — still with no date-marking procedures in place and still with raw chicken being stored over raw shrimp. “Due to the facility reopening without correcting violations and without inspector approval the facility did not demonstrate responsibilities of the permit holder,” the inspector reported.

On July 14, 2025, the inspector was back and reported finding “deceased pests” in the kitchen and storage area. The restaurant was approved for reopening.

Four months before the July inspections, in March 2025, China Wok had been cited for 10 risk-factor violations, with the inspector concluding the person in charge failed to perform their duties as evidenced by the number of violations related to cross-contamination, handwashing, date-marking and cleanliness.

The inspector found that breaded chicken previously cooked and cooled on the premises had been reheated to only 135 degrees for food service rather than a minimum of 165 degrees, and there were no date-marking procedures in place to ensure freshness and safety. Kitchen equipment was visibly soiled, and there was no sanitizer in the three-compartment sink where dishes were being washed.

The March 2025 inspection was in response to an illness complaint the state inspector deemed unverified.

La Cabana Food Truck, 1578 Court Ave., Chariton — During a July 9 visit, a state inspector found that the business had no certified food protection manager on staff. Also, raw shrimp was being stored alongside tortillas in the refrigerator, risking cross-contamination. “Not cooling hot foods — refried beans – properly,” the inspector reported. “Not sanitizing dishes… No food thermometer in the unit during the inspection.”

The Taco Depot III, 35 Miller Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids — During a July 9 visit, a Linn County inspector found the business did not employ a certified food protection manager.  The inspector observed an employee handling raw meat and then, without washing his hands, topping a taco with lettuce and tomatoes.

In addition, there was an issue with a reach-in cooler that resulted in employees having to move wings and fajita-marinated chicken to the walk-in cooler. “Chicken wings bag was noticed at shelf in the room temperature and employee stated that it was left in the room temp to thaw last night,” the inspector reported without clarification. The chicken wings, which were measured at 77 degrees, had to be discarded. Pico and unspecified “meat” that were dated June 30 were also discarded as they had been held for more than seven days.

Pizza Hut, 2311 W. Burlington Ave., Fairfield — During a July 8 visit, a state inspector reported “interior of ice machine not clean … Rack arms that hold pizza rings that come in direct contact with pizza had dried pizza sauce on them.”

Some of the violations cited by the inspector are not entirely clear, with the report stating, “Drain shelves being stored in a container that was not clean.” Chicken wings that were measured at 49 degrees had to be discarded, and the “door and door handles of coolers, hot box, proofers and other equipment not clean,” the inspector reported. “Walls and floors in establishment not clean and have food debris.”

The visit was in response to a non-illness complaint pertaining to general cleanliness and sanitation. The complaint was deemed verified. State records indicate the most recent previous inspection of the Pizza Hut was in April 2022.

Taste of China, 4212 Douglas Ave., Des Moines — During a July 8 visit, a state inspector cited the business for failing to observe protocols in handwashing, sanitation and hot-holding temperatures. The inspector observed cooked food stored in direct contact with pieces of “saturated” cardboard and noted that cooked meats were being stored without any form of temperature control. The meat products were discarded.

Also, prepared vegetables and meats were not being date-marked to ensure freshness and safety, and dishes were being washed without being sanitized. “Handwashing sink was covered with cardboard and utensils,” the inspector reported.

The visit was in response to an illness complaint that was deemed unverified.

Beaver Tap, 4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines — During a July 7 visit, a state inspector noted the business was not “maintaining and monitoring cold-holding temperatures or ensuring temperatures of food received … No practice of temperature monitoring.”

Inside a walk-in cooler, the inspector found turkey, queso, chicken, beans, salsa, tomato sauce, ranch dressing and other items that all measured above 41 degree and which had to be discarded. The ambient temperature of the walk-in cooler was 49 degrees, the inspector found.

The visit was in response to an illness complaint that was deemed unverified.

Three months earlier, in April 2025, inspectors cited Beaver Tap for 12 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number. At that time, the inspector reported the inspection was triggered by a non-illness complaint of an unspecified nature. “Complaint verified through conversation,” the inspector reported.

Tama-Toledo Country Club, 806 W. 13^th St., Tama — During a July 3 visit, a state inspector noted that the business was operating without a license, with its previous license having expired at some point. It’s not clear from the inspector’s report how long the restaurant had been operating without a license.

The precise nature of some of the violations noted by the inspector in her published report is unclear. “Establishment offers burgers prepared from raw,” she wrote. “Burgers are not disclosed on the online menu provided by staff. Food service has been temporarily suspended by the establishment.”

The report also stated, “Whole fruits and vegetables are not washed prior to use … Interior of the walk-in cooler has a mildew-like buildup on the walls.”

The visit was triggered by a non-illness complaint the inspector deemed unverified.

State records indicate the most recent previous routine inspection of the Tama-Toledo Country Club was in October 2022.

Los Agaves, 4882 Utica Ridge Road, Davenport — During a June 18 visit, a Scott County inspector cited this establishment for 15 risk-factor violations — an exceptionally high number. Among the problems: Employees were not washing their hands between tasks; employees were not wearing gloves while handling ready-to-eat foods; raw eggs and bacon were stored above ready-to-eat items, risking cross-contamination; multiple foods were left uncovered in the kitchen, risking contamination, or were stored on the floor; vegetables stored on melting ice were measured at 50 degrees; and the fountain drink machine and the flavored-water machine were marred by “debris and gunk.”

In addition, ice buckets were being stored on the floor and were in poor condition, and the liquor room floor was marred by “debris and gunk.”

State records indicate the most recent previous routine inspection of Los Agaves was in November 2022.

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