Show summary Hide summary
The Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department released the results of routine, unannounced food safety inspections conducted Aug. 14–20, 2026, showing a mix of clean records and repeated sanitation lapses at several local eateries. These reports matter now because they reveal ongoing practices that can raise the risk of foodborne illness and require similar businesses to address basic safety controls.
How local inspections are carried out
US widens Iran economic squeeze with sanctions on Egyptian lender’s UAE units
Horoscopes Sept. 8, 2026: what every sign should watch for today
Inspectors visit restaurants, bars, grocery stores, delis, convenience stores, bed-and-breakfasts and other food-handling sites at least twice a year without prior notice. Violations are categorized by severity: the department treats the most hazardous infractions as critical violations that are likely to cause illness and must be fixed immediately or within 24 hours.
Less urgent problems — typically related to cleanliness or maintenance — are tracked as noncritical items and may be scheduled for correction on a longer timeline. When inspectors determine additional checks are needed, a formal re-inspection is ordered and the facility generally has up to 10 days to resolve the issues.
The agency emphasizes education in its visits, working with staff to correct unsafe practices. A clean inspection does not automatically mean a site is risk-free, but repeated or uncorrected critical findings can prompt closer oversight.
Inspections from Aug. 14–20, 2026 — selected findings
| Date | Establishment | Violations | Re-inspection | Notable issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 14 | Walmart Supercenter 1315 | 5 | No | Damaged canned goods on shelves; missing drip catcher under freezer condensers; residue near bakery dishwasher; water pooling by deli drain; exposed particleboard at mop sink. |
| Aug. 14 | Hokkaido Ramen House | 14 | No | Hand sink lacked soap; sanitizer bucket placed in hand-wash sink; large batch of broth held at ~53°F; menus missing consumer advisory marks; aerosol and pesticide stored with single-use items; improper thawing and wet wiping cloths; utensils and scoops stored unsafely; hood system with residue. |
| Aug. 17 | Tacos & Burritos Cowboy | 2 | No | Uncovered containers in prep cooler; wiping cloth left out of sanitizer bucket. |
| Aug. 18 | The Railyard | 5 | No | Paper towels missing at soda station sink; bar dishwasher registering 0 ppm sanitizer; soda nozzle buildup; scoops stored in seasonings/ice; ice accumulation under walk-in condenser. |
| Aug. 18 | Tacos Doña Mari | 2 | No | Unlabeled food containers in prep cooler; utensil handle contacting cheese container. |
| Aug. 18 | Miss Jeri’s House: A Play School | 0 | No | No violations reported. |
| Aug. 19 | Wendy’s (LW) | 1 | No | Boxes of cut fries stored on the walk-in freezer floor. |
| Aug. 19 | Airport Golf Club | 3 | No | Quaternary ammonium sanitizer below recommended concentration; soda nozzles with buildup; missing drip catcher under walk-in condenser waste line. |
| Aug. 19 | The Cheyenne Cup 2 | 0 | No | Clear inspection record. |
| Aug. 19 | Laramie County Juvenile Services Center | 0 | No | No violations reported. |
| Aug. 19 | The Cheyenne Cup | 3 | No | Employee donned gloves without washing hands first; quat sanitizer not measuring concentration; inadequate hair restraints observed. |
| Aug. 20 | Bunkhouse Bar & Grill | 0 | No | No violations reported. |
| Aug. 20 | Mort’s Bagels | 1 | No | One sanitizer spray bottle tested low (25–50 ppm bleach) while others were at 100 ppm. |
Across this week’s reports, several recurring themes emerged: inconsistent sanitizer levels, equipment or condenser areas needing drip catchers, buildup on beverage nozzles or hoods, and improper storage or handling of utensils and scoops.
- Sanitizer concentration problems — quaternary ammonium or bleach solutions below effective levels were noted multiple times.
- Food storage issues — uncovered containers, items on the floor and unlabeled foods appeared in several kitchens.
- Poor equipment maintenance — residue under hoods, soda nozzles and condensers showed cleaning gaps.
- Unsafe practices — hand-washing lapses, improper thawing and placing chemicals or aerosols with single-use items.
What this means for residents: most infractions reported were correctable, and inspectors often work with staff to fix problems on site. Nevertheless, failures in basic controls — especially inadequate sanitizer strength and poor temperature management — increase the chance of contamination and foodborne illness if left unaddressed.
Full inspection reports and the department’s current postings are available on the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department website for anyone who wants to review the detailed findings or track follow-up reinspections.
