Health department shuts down two Lexington food spots for roaches
One Lexington restaurant was shut down in September by the health department for roaches and now appears to have closed permanently.
Food service at a convenience store also was temporarily halted after health department inspectors found roaches as well as evidence of rodents.
On Sept. 3, Bankara Ramen & Bar was ordered closed temporarily after the inspector found a “severe infestation of roaches,” including live roaches in refrigeration units, in sinks, on prep surfaces, in bulk food containers, in cabinets, and under sinks and equipment, according to the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department inspection report.
Multiple dead roaches also were seen on the floor throughout the restaurant, which also had other issues.
The restaurant was cleared to reopen on Sept. 25 after correcting all priority violations with an inspection score of 95, according to Kevin Hall, spokesman for the health department.
But the restaurant apparently has closed.
Bankara posted on its Facebook page that the restaurant was closing Sept. 4 for a deep clean and that they would update when it reopens. However, the page now says it is permanently closed.
The phone to the restaurant was disconnected as well. According to the state, the liquor license for Bankara is held in the name of XZ Restaurant Group, which was incorporated in March 2019 by Yang Xia. The phone number associated with the liquor license also apparently was disconnected.
Separately, food service at the Speedway at 803 S. Broadway was closed on Sept. 23 after the inspector found roaches in and around the coffee and drink stations. There also was an infestation of roaches in the kitchen and self service area.
The inspector also found evidence of rodents as well.
Speedway’s food service was cleared to resume on Oct. 2 after correcting all priority violations with an inspection score of 99.
Bankara and Speedway’s food service were the only two establishments shut down by the Lexington health department in the last 90 days, according to Hall.
Until the coronavirus pandemic hit in March, the health department placed food service establishments with serious issues on probation and stepped up inspections from two times a year to three times a year. But the probation list has been tabled for now, according to the department.
This story was originally published October 16, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
