State, city and county inspectors have cited Iowa restaurants and stores for hundreds of food-safety violations during the past several weeks, including offenses related to expired meat, cockroaches and mice, and moldy food.
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 Jan. 10, 2026, and Feb. 28, 2026. (Last year, DIAL began withholding from public disclosure all food-safety inspection reports for eight days past the date of inspection.)
The inspections department reminds the public that its 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.
Granite City Food & Brewery, 5270 Utica Ridge Road, Davenport — During a Feb. 27 visit, a Scott County inspector cited this establishment for employees failing to wash their hands, and for maintaining three drawers of chilled food at 51 to 54 degrees, rather than 41 degrees or colder, resulting in all of the food items being discarded. Also, two large pans of chicken tortilla soup made the previous day had yet to cool to 41 degrees and had to be discarded.
In addition, two pans of cooked noodles and one pan of blanched asparagus that measured above 41 degrees had to be discarded. Also, the inspector intervened when a chicken breast that had been pulled out of the oven for service measured only 131 degrees. The chicken breast was placed back in the oven and cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
The inspector also noted there were several food products in the walk-in cooler and on the cook-line that had no date markings to ensure freshness and safety. In addition, numerous issues related to cleanliness were cited, with the inspector reporting that all of the shelving in the kitchen was marred by excess food debris and grease, the walk-in cooler had water pooling on the floor, and the kitchen flooring and walls were marred by excess food debris and grease.
Sushi Way, 902 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport — During a Feb. 27 visit, a Scott County inspector concluded that the person in charge was not ensuring proper food-safety procedures were followed in the preparation of sushi rice. Raw chicken — which was apparently for the personal use of the staff — was being stored above eggs in the back refrigeration unit, risking cross-contamination.
Also, the knife and cutting board used to prepare raw fish and sushi were not effectively sanitized; there were no records documenting parasite destruction from the supplier of sushi fish; and several food items throughout the establishment – including tempura shrimp, spicy mayo, red bean buns, sushi filling – were not properly date-marked to ensure freshness and safety, with the inspector noting that was a repeat violation that required long-term corrective action.
Quick ’n Handy, 425 Northern Ave., Earlville — During a Feb. 25 visit , a state inspector found that the person in charge was not a certified food protection manager as required and did not adequately demonstrate knowledge of basic food-safety principles and was not monitoring food temperatures, equipment temperatures, employee handwashing, or sanitizing the food-contact surfaces.
“Three of the four hot-holding retail cases were not hot enough today,” the inspector reported, citing fried shrimp, mashed potatoes, chicken tenders and pizza that were all being maintained at temperatures too low to ensure safety. “All foods were voluntarily discarded, temperature was increased, and new food was prepared.” Also, the most recent inspection report, from February 2023, was not posted.
Fish was observed thawing in standing water near the three-compartment sink … A dead cockroach was observed inside a rice noodle container.
– Inspector’s report on Oryza Asian Cuisine in Iowa City
Oryza Asian Cuisine, 5 Sturgis Corner Drive, Iowa City — During a Jan. 13 visit, a Johnson County inspector cited this establishment for 12 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number. The inspector reported a “mold-like debris buildup and spoilage” in a container of sauce inside one cooler. Also, there was a “mold buildup on packages of cheese” stored inside the walk-in cooler, with the spoilage obvious due to the “expansion and bloating” of the package.
In addition, a food-service employee was observed handling ready-to-eat fried chicken with their bare hands, and several containers of prepared foods and sauces, as well as opened commercial containers, lacked the required date-markings to ensure freshness and safety.
The inspector also reported looking in the kitchen’s walk-in cooler and finding an assortment of “adulterated” foods with “a debris buildup and growth” on them.
“Fish was observed thawing in standing water near the three-compartment sink,” the inspector reported. “A dead cockroach was observed inside a rice noodle container … Several boxes and buckets of food were stored directly on the kitchen floor.”
The inspector also reported a “heavy debris buildup” on shelving units, floors, walls and the air-handling unit of the walk-in cooler.
Kobe Sushi and Hibachi, 5242 Elmore Ave., Davenport — During a Feb. 24 visit, a Scott County inspector cited this establishment for 12 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number.
Among the issues: Employees were not washing their hands between tasks; sauce was stored at room temperature rather than refrigerated; raw chicken and raw beef were stored above ready-to-eat foods in multiple coolers, risking cross-contamination; multiple food items were left uncovered, and multiple containers of food were stored in direct contact with other food items.
Also, there was lack of update paperwork related to parasite destruction tied to seafood, raw eggs were being stored at room temperature and had to be discarded, and several knives and knife racks had “debris and gunk” on each of them.
In addition, raw meat was left “sitting in stagnant water” inside a three-compartment sink designated for dish cleaning, and multiple coolers were missing thermometers so the staff could monitor food-storage temperatures.
Golden Corral, 5202 Elmore Ave., Davenport — During a Feb. 19 visit, a Scott County inspector cited this establishment for holding cheeseburgers on the food-display line at 129 degrees — too cool to ensure their safety. The burgers were discarded. Also, deviled eggs on the buffet line were measured at 58 degrees, which was too warm to ensure their safety, and were discarded, after which more ice was placed in the buffet line’s cooling unit.
The inspector also observed that “homemade puddings” in the dessert area were being maintained at 48 to 50 degrees, rather than 41 degrees or colder. The puddings were discarded. In the kitchen, raw chicken was measured at 61 degrees and was discarded, and “several leftovers from yesterday” inside the cooler were not date-marked to ensure freshness and safety.
Also, none of the thermometers used to measure ambient air and water temperatures were accurate or designed to be easily readable; pipes were leaking under the dishwasher, causing water to pool on the floor; ceiling vents and tiles in the back hallway had an excessive amount of grease and dust debris on them, and there were broken tiles throughout the kitchen area. “Need to see improvement by next routine inspection,” the inspector wrote in her report.
Soho Kitchen & Bar, 1024 4th St., Sioux City — During a Feb. 19 visit, a Siouxland District Health Department inspector noted that the establishment did not have a certified food protection manager and on staff as required. Also, cooked chicken that measured 43 to 44 degrees was stored in a cold-holding unit and hadn’t reached 41 degrees or colder, and “several cooked noodles” had date-markings on them indicating they were past their expiration date.
Golden Bowl Chinese Restaurant, 1408 Hamilton Boulevard, Sioux City — During a Feb. 18 visit, a Siouxland District Health Department inspector cited this establishment for 12 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number. Among the issues: The staff was not washing their hands before food preparation; several food items in the walk-in cooler — such as tofu, broccoli and crab Rangoon — were left uncovered, risking contamination; several of the knives that were in use by the staff were stored on a dirty shelf; tongs were stored against a dirty towel, and plastic spoons were stored in container soiled with sweet-and-sour sauce.
In addition, the inspector found noodles, crab Rangoon, egg rolls, cooked beef, cooked chicken, cooked shrimp and cut cabbage that were not dated to ensure freshness and safety; knives, tongs, seasoning shakers and dishes were visibly soiled with food debris, and containers of frozen, cooked meats were thawing at room temperature on the counter and on the floor.
The inspector also made note of an unspecified issue related to the cleanliness of the door handles, the interior of the coolers, the cooler shelves, the shelving, microwave ovens and food containers. Also, the handwashing sink was “visibly soiled with food and dirt,” and the “floors, walls and ceilings were heavily soiled with food debris, dust and dirt.”
La Victoria, 2600 Myrtle St., Sioux City — During a Feb. 16 visit, a Siouxland District Health Department inspector cited this establishment for 12 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number. Among the issues: A cooler in the meat department was maintaining food at 42 to 43 degrees, rather than 41 degrees or colder; cooked meat inside a walk-in cooler was date-marked Feb. 8 and had to be discarded, and contaminated utensils were being stored in the basin of a handwashing sink.
New York Gyro, 808 7th Ave., Marion — During a Feb. 16 visit, a Linn County inspector cited this establishment for 10 risk-factor violations, with the inspector reporting that the person in charge was not trained efficiently on food safety practices.
“There is no date marked established in the store,” the inspector wrote, an apparent reference to the fact that no food items were being date-marked to ensure freshness and safety.
“Seafood stayed intact in bag while they are being thawed,” the inspector added, a reference to the practice of thawing food still sealed in vacuum packaging, which creates a risk of spoilage going undetected.
“There was food in zip bag in freezer was no labeled, dated before throwing in it,” the inspector added, without explanation. “There was no food thermometer use in the store… Several packages of single-use articles are stored directly on floor in the dining area and back in the hallway near the walk-in cooler.”
Plus Saporis Mediterranean Latin Cuisine, 4808 Forest Grove Road, Bettendorf — During a Feb. 13 visit, a Scott County inspector cited this establishment for 10 risk-factor violations and noted the person in charge was not actively monitoring employees’ handwashing and use of gloves.
Also, multiple food products had been held beyond the maximum seven-day timeframe, including several house-made vinaigrettes, purees, and dressings from Feb. 3, as well as salsas and ceviche from Jan. 29 and Jan. 30. In addition, beef, pork lamb and chicken were properly labeled with the date and time they were packaged, as well as the date and time to discard them, but were being held beyond their discard dates.
Also, a large pan of mashed potatoes prepared that day was sitting out and cooling at room temperature, and frozen octopus, calamari and shrimp were seen thawing in standing water within a sink.
Vytyl, 365 Edgewood NW Road, Cedar Rapids — During a Feb. 12 visit, a Linn County inspector reported “many food items” – including hummus, tzatziki sauce and homemade items made from roasted cocoa beans — were not date marked to ensure freshness and safety. “None of the deli meats — salami, white cheeses, olives, pre-packaged dates, hummus, and other pre-packaged, cut, raw meats — that are available for sale are date-marked,” the inspector added. The establishment was also “using vinegar as a cleaning agent” and was not properly sanitizing food-contact surfaces.
Scores on 33rd, 3287 6th St. SW, Cedar Rapids — During a Feb. 10 visit, a Linn County inspector cited this establishment for 10 risk-factor violations and noted food items had no date-markings to ensure freshness and safety. The inspector concluded the items were still within their shelf life and could be retained.
Separately, the inspector found several other items that did have dates indicating they had been held past their expiration dates, including house-made buffalo sauce marked Jan. 28; blue cheese dressing, tartar sauce and Reuben sauce dated Feb. 2; and cooked ground beef Jan. 27. All of those items were discarded.
Sam’s Food, a Davenport convenience store. (Photo via Google Earth)
Sam’s Food, 648 Marquette St., Davenport — During a Feb. 18 visit, a Scott County inspector cited this retail store for numerous violations, including the storage of the staff’s personal food alongside food items stored for customer purchase.
Also, breading to be used for chicken was stored at room temperature with “with an employee glove stored in it.” The inspector corrected that issue by disposing of the glove and then placing the breading in the kitchen’s food-prep cooler.
In addition, nutty bars, Oreos, oatmeal pies, crackers, and fruit cups were being sold without the required labeling; cleaners and “toxic items were stored with, on, and next to food, beverages, and food-contact items in the cashier area;” deli meat had been left to thaw in standing water within a three-compartment sink intended for dishware cleaning; the refrigerators and the hot-holding unit had no thermometers for temperature monitoring, and numerous areas were in need of cleaning and organizing.
The store was cited for numerous risk-factor violations in April 2022, and when it was last inspected in February 2023.
India Café, 50 W. Burlington Ave., Fairfield — During a Feb. 9 visit, a state inspector noted that this establishment was keeping vegetable curry in a hot-holding at a temperature of 130 degrees — too cool to ensure safety — and that pakora was being maintained on the hot-holding buffet line at a temperature of only 119 degrees. The vegetable curry was reheated to 187 degrees and the pakora was discarded. Also, cooked chicken, samosa and pakora were stored in a walk-in cooler with no date-markings.
Portside One-Stop Bar and Supperclub, 125 Jefferson Ave., Harper’s Ferry – During a Feb. 9 visit, a state inspector found several packages of deer meat labeled “NOT FOR SALE” that were stored inside the freezer of the establishment’s banquet hall. In addition, a container of lard labeled “NOT FOR SALE” was found in the kitchen near the grill.
Also, fruit and pudding pies inside the walk-in cooler had been left uncovered, risking contamination, and food containers in the restaurant’s walk-in cooler — including ranch dressing, seafood salad, hamburger, cottage cheese and sliced tomatoes — had no date-markings to ensure freshness and safety.
In addition, the soda gun’s nozzle and holster had “a buildup of organic growth” on them, as did the ice machine in the banquet hall. The inspector also found flying-insect strips, marked as being not for use in food service establishments, behind the bar.
Mezcalitos, 1704 W. 1st St., Cedar Falls – During a Feb. 6 visit, a Black Hawk County inspector reported finding “raw ground beef in kitchen temped at 69 degrees,” although it was not reported where the ground beef was stored at the time or how the issue was resolved. “Several containers of food not date-marked,” the inspector added without elaborating. “Containers of ground beef and chicken held past seven days.”
The inspector also noted that food-to-go containers and boxes of soda pop syrup were being stored in one of the bathrooms. The inspection was in response to a customer’s complaint about a bone found in their food. The inspector deemed the complaint unverified.
BarTini’s, 796 11th St., Marion — During a Feb. 5 visit, a Linn County inspector cited this establishment for 12 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number. Among the issues: Workers were handling raw seafood with their bare hands, then handling ready-to-eat items without washing their hands between tasks. Also, chopped chicken and sliced tomatoes had no date-markings on them to ensure freshness and safety, and the business was vacuum packaging cooked and prepared food without the necessary authorization.
Also, the vacuum-packaged raw meat was not labeled properly, and the vacuum-packaged shrimp was not kept frozen before, during and after packaging, the inspector reported. The inspector reported talking to the person in charge about vacuum-packaged meats and informing them that “packaged seafood has to be discontinued immediately.”
Paradise Indian Grill, 555 Highway 965, North Liberty — During a Feb. 4 visit, a Johnson County inspector cited this eatery for 10 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number. Among the issues: The person in charge was not a certified food protection manager and was unable to answer questions about proper reheating, cooking, and cooling temperatures of foods in the restaurant, or explain the correct procedures for cleaning and sanitizing utensils and food contact surfaces.
One employee was observed handling ready-to-eat bread with their bare hands; raw chicken was stored above ready-to-eat foods inside a cooler, risking cross-contamination, and several food items — including house-made sauce dated Jan. 26 and samba dated Jan. 27 — had been held past their expiration dates and had to be discarded. The inspector also reported finding multiple sauces that lacked date-markings, and stated that the interior of the ice maker was marred by a buildup of unspecified debris.
In addition, chemical pesticides that were labeled as not being appropriate for restaurant use were stored within the kitchen; frozen chicken was left to thaw at room temperature, and a live cockroach was observed within the kitchen. In addition, the restaurant’s “current posted license” had expired in 2025.
Cantaritos Grill & Cantina, 1205 Washington St., Pella – During a Jan. 30 visit, a state inspector cited this establishment for several food items that were stored at temperatures too warm to ensure their safety, including lettuce at 49 degrees, sliced steak at 45 degrees, sliced chicken at 47 degrees, shrimp at 44 degrees, and hamburger patties and imitation crab at 45 degrees. Those items and others were then discarded.
In addition, several unspecified items inside the walk-in cooler had expiration dates that ranged from Jan. 16 to Jan. 19 and had to be discarded. “Ice machine interior is unclean,” the inspector reported. “Pot of cooked beans stored directly on the kitchen floor.”
The visit was in response to two separate complaints — one of which was a non-illness complaint related to pests. The person in charge explained the restaurant used a pest control company and that he closed the business the night he became aware of a complaint, but no pests were found. The other complaint was illness related. The inspector concluded both complaints were unverified.
Mouse-like droppings were found throughout the dry-storage area … Bucket of frozen fish stored on the floor near the handwashing sink.
– Inspector’s report on El Compita Mexican Bar & Grill in Davenport
El Compita Mexican Bar & Grill, 1720 E. Kimberly Road, Davenport — During a Jan. 30 visit, a Scott County inspector reported finding “moldy queso cheese in the back walk-in cooler.” Also, opened containers of syrups for desserts were being stored at room temperature when the labels stated they had to be refrigerated.
In addition, cooked salsa that was sitting on a range at 109 degrees had to be moved to the walk-in cooler for proper cooling, and various food items prepared in-house were located throughout the facility with no date-markings to ensure freshness and safety — a repeat violation.
The inspector also reported finding cooked pork carnitas in the walk-in cooler that were dated Jan. 19 and had to discarded. In addition, fish was being thawed at room temperature while still inside vacuum-sealed packaging, creating a risk that any spoilage would go undetected. “Mouse-like droppings were found throughout the dry-storage area,” the inspector reported. “Bucket of frozen fish stored on the floor near the handwashing sink.”
Wapello Junior and Senior High School, 501 Buchanan Ave., Wapello – During a Jan. 28 visit, a state inspector reported finding cooked pulled pork, cooked ground beef and cooked taco meat that had been “prepared at a home kitchen.” All of the items were discarded. Also, a bag of nacho cheese in a warming unit was found to be holding at 120 degrees – not hot enough to ensure its safety – and was discarded. In addition, bags of cooked pulled pork and cooked ground taco meat that were prepared on Jan. 25 had no date-markings and were discarded.
The inspection report describes the facility as a “high school production kitchen” and “concession” that is managed and operated by the district’s booster club and parent volunteers.
Bibimbap Asian Bistro, 5279 Competition Drive, Bettendorf — During a Jan. 27 visit, a Scott County inspector cited this establishment for 10 risk-factor violations. The inspector noted that raw pork sausage was being stored inside the same container as packages of precooked chicken breasts and cooked pork. Also, packages of cooked chicken legs were stored in the same container as packages of raw beef and raw pork sausage.
In addition, cashews and dried chili peppers were being stored inside cardboard boxes that could not be cleaned and sanitized for food storage, several prepared food products or commercially prepared products lacked the proper date-markings, and multiple containers of food product were not labeled as to their contents.
“Large container of raw meat observed being stored on the floor in the kitchen,” the inspector reported.
The visit was prompted by a non-illness complaint regarding employees smoking cigarettes inside the kitchen. The complaint, which was accompanied by photographs sent to the inspector, was deemed verified.
Edison’s Gastropub, 3579 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf — During a Jan. 23 visit, a Scott County inspector found two packages of raw bacon stored inside the same container as fruit, goat cheese, and nuts for charcuterie. Also, two containers of cooked chicken wings and one container of frozen chicken breasts were stored uncovered, risking contamination. In addition, one refrigeration unit was holding cheese and lettuce at 49 to 50 degrees. The food items were then discarded.
The inspector also reported finding homemade vinaigrette dressing prepared on Jan. 13, which meant it had been held longer than the maximum of seven days. “Multiple food-contact surfaces were observed with a buildup of soil or food debris,” the inspector reported. “Dish machine was not properly sanitizing by heat or by chemicals at the time of today’s inspection.”
The visit was prompted by a non-illness complaint regarding general facility sanitation, cross-contamination, unclean food-contact surfaces, and employee hygiene. The inspector deemed the complaints related to cross-contamination and food-contact surfaces were verified.
Fairfield Diner, 50 N. 28th St., Fairfield — During a Jan. 20 visit, a stet inspector noted that spaghetti sauce was held at 118 degrees, which was corrected by reheating to 182 degrees. Also, potatoes, pasta, cooked pork, gyro meat, and meatloaf all lacked date-markings to ensure freshness and safety.
Rice and taco meat had been held for more than the maximum of seven days, although the report does not state how long they had been held. “Interior of ice machine not clean,” the inspector reported. “Arms used for direct contact with eggs on egg mixer not clean.”
Lakeside Hotel and Casino, 777 Casino Drive, Osceola — During a Jan. 16 visit, a state inspector reported finding several cold-food items that were not being held at 41 degrees or colder, including sliced tomatoes at 54 degrees, lettuce 49 degrees and sliced chicken at 49 degrees. All of the items were then discarded.
In addition, several prepared food items were not date-marked, and several others had been held for more than the maximum of seven days, including boiled eggs dated Dec. 25, 2025, meat sauce dated Dec. 17, 2025, and house-made chicken stock and sauces dated Jan. 7, 2026. All of the expired items were then discarded. In addition, the soda gun nozzles at all of the bars were reported to be “unclean” as was the interior of an ice machine.
