Smokey Mo's BBQ is on the defensive after a former employee filed a whistleblower lawsuit claiming rodent infestations and unsafe cleanup practices at two Central Texas locations. The dispute has pulled in county inspectors and local media, and both sides are now trading inspection reports, videos, and contractor letters that tell very different stories. While lawyers gear up, customers and neighbors are left sifting through public records to figure out what really happened inside the kitchens.
What the Lawsuit Alleges
Former IT employee John Wantz filed a 55-page petition in Williamson County on Nov. 10, seeking $526,809.86. He says he was retaliated against after reporting rodent problems at the Round Rock and Liberty Hill restaurants. The suit claims more than 150 dead rats were discovered during an overnight cleanup, that some cleanup crews wore protective suits while certain hourly employees, including minors, were allegedly asked to clean without PPE, and that Wantz was later denied an approved mileage reimbursement. According to MySA, Wantz also says he was converted from a W-2 employee to an independent contractor after raising concerns.
Inspection Records and Local Reporting
County inspection documents and local reporting describe repeated visits to the Round Rock kitchen in the fall that flagged droppings, open traps, and gaps in rear doorways that could allow pests to enter. They also note a multi-day cleanup after an Oct. 19 callout. Inspectors told reporters they did not observe conditions that met the definition of an "imminent health hazard," although follow-up visits still documented sanitation and structural issues that required fixes. As reported by the Austin American-Statesman, the Round Rock location was temporarily closed for cleanup and later reopened on Oct. 22.
Smokey Mo's Pushes Back
Smokey Mo's disputes the broadest claims in the lawsuit and says the records it has shared undercut the plaintiff's account. The company provided inspection reports and letters, including a note from Silo Development Group stating that crews were repairing and replacing fiberglass insulation. A letter from Prater Pest Solutions stating that a recent preventive inspection found no signs of rodent activity. The chain also shared videos that it says show no carcasses and no underage employees involved in cleanup.
In a public statement, Smokey Mo's says it worked with the landlord, the Williamson County and Cities Health District, and its pest control vendor to address what it describes as a single issue tied to the larger shopping center. Those materials were provided to MySA, and the company's website continues to list the Round Rock storefront and hours on its Smokey Mo's locations page.
What County Officials Said
Williamson County environmental health officials told reporters that Smokey Mo's has cooperated with inspections and that, based on what inspectors observed, the situation did not rise to an "imminent health hazard." Lori Murphy, the county's environmental health director, told the Austin American-Statesman that the health district would take stronger action if inspectors found live rodents or contamination in food areas, and that a follow-up visit was scheduled after the holiday period.
Legal Implications
Wantz's petition combines retaliation claims with allegations about working conditions and unpaid reimbursements, which gives the filing several potential paths for discovery if a lawyer formally takes on the case. Smokey Mo's legal team has publicly called the suit meritless and says it plans to move for dismissal while also seeking recourse for what it describes as reputational harm. With settlement offers on the table and strong language from both sides, the dispute is expected to move first through motions and document exchanges rather than heading straight to trial.
What to Watch Next
Key public records to watch include new court filings in Williamson County and any follow-up inspection reports from the Williamson County and Cities Health District, which oversees restaurant inspections in the area. The health district posts guidance and inspection information on its website and manages follow-up scheduling and enforcement through its Williamson County and Cities Health District portal. Consumers with specific concerns can contact the county's environmental health office to request the latest inspection results.
