Lexington restaurant inspections: ‘Plume’ of flies, risky gator, rodents in food
After a pause at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department has resumed a key public health measure aimed at preventing food-borne illnesses.
Restaurant inspectors are again placing restaurants that fail on critical points on a watch list. The “enhanced regulatory enforcement” comes with a stepped-up inspection schedule designed to catch potential problems earlier.
The measure, previously known as the probation list, restarted in August 2020 and as of Oct. 1 there were 66 food service providers assigned to enhanced enforcement.
The Board of Health voted in September 2021 to update food service regulations to formally include the program.
Restaurants are placed on the list when they score below 85, “failed” a significant inspection point or if they are required to be closed due to imminent health hazard such as raw sewage, evidence of rodent or insect infestations or a lack of electricity.
Problems that constitute a failure are those deemed by the Food & Drug Administration to have the highest potential to affect the public health adversely, such as a improper food handling, lack of hand-washing or improper dish sanitizing.
Luke Mathis, environmental health team leader, said that the intent of enhanced regulatory enforcement is “identifying establishments that are struggling with food safety compliance and providing additional monitoring.”
The hope, he said, is that the more inspectors are there, the quicker they will spot things that need to be changed “and through education help them get into compliance.”
“The overall goal of the program is to improve public safety, sanitary and hygiene practices within these establishments, so the public will feel safe eating out,” said Skip Castleman, Environmental Health and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. “All of our placards are still posted at these establishments, so they have a means of looking to see if a restaurant has passed or failed. With a green placard, they’ve passed; with a red placard, they’ve failed. And they can also look on our web site too, before they go out to eat.”
Typically, food service establishments are inspected every six months. With enhanced enforcement, inspectors come every four months, Mathis said. Restaurants come off the enhanced enforcement when they pass regular inspections without significant issues twice in a row.
Since enhanced enforcement restarted, Mathis said restaurants have been receiving notices when they are placed on the program.
Because of extended closures and staffing issues during the pandemic, Mathis said, “we did see issues that we wouldn’t normally have seen. And I think it’s just where people have gotten out of practice with food safety type considerations. I think now things are getting back to normal.”
All of Lexington’s nearly 1,500 food service establishments, from daycares to hospitals to grocery stores to restaurants, are inspected at least twice a year and most pass without significant problems. Last year, hundreds scored a perfect 100, many more than once.
Generally, restaurants that are in the enhanced enforcement program are safe to eat at or the health department would have closed them down.
One Lexington restaurant shut down
One restaurant was temporarily closed recently due to health issues: The food service and bar inside the Clarion Hotel on Newtown Pike was shut down Sept. 21 due to evidence of rodent infestation, according to the health department. A “large plume” of drain flies was also noted. The restaurant reopened Sept. 30 with a score of 96.
Inspections are a snapshot of a restaurant or food-service establishment at a particular time but Mathis said the watch list allows inspectors to target places most likely to be a risk for public health.
He said they hope the number of restaurants in the program stays low. In February 2020, before the pandemic, there were 172 restaurants or food service providers on the health department’s list.
Here is the watch list, with details of the inspections from the last four months that landed the restaurant on the list. (The health department was not able to provide details on restaurants placed on the list before June because of staffing limitations.)
Restaurants on Lexington Health Department watch list
▪ #1 China Buffet, 125 E. Reynolds Rd., was placed on the list after scoring 83 on a Sept. 7, 2021 inspection that found, among other things, potentially spoiled canned food products, food stored uncovered, dishwasher not properly sanitizing, food not clearly date marked, improperly thawed food, lack of hair covering and dirty kitchen equipment. Latest inspection on Sept. 21, 2021, scored 96.
▪ Ali Baba, 412 Southland Dr., was placed on the list on Oct. 9, 2020. Latest inspection on July 1, 2021, scored 96.
▪ Azur, 3070 Lakecrest Circle, was placed on the list on April 8, 2021. Latest inspection on Aug. 25, 2021, scored 95.
▪ Bandido Taqueria Mexicana, 535 S. Upper St., was placed on the list after a June 10, 2021 score of 82. Inspectors noted bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food, expired food, potentially spoiled canned food, food not date marked, gloves not properly used, among other things. Latest inspection on June 25, 2021, scored 97.
▪ Beaumont Shell & Deli, 961 Midnight Pass, was placed on the list on Oct. 7, 2020. Latest inspection on Sept. 15, 2021, scored 97.
▪ Bluegrass Catering, 903 Manchester St., was placed on the list after scoring 88 on June 15, 2021. Inspectors found rodent bite marks on items including ice cream cones, expired dairy and house made syrups, rat droppings and mouse droppings observed. Latest inspection on Aug. 3, 2021, scored 93.
▪ Bluegrass Ky Nutrition, 719 Allendale Dr., was placed on the list on Aug. 14, 2020. Latest inspection on Sept. 7, 2021, scored 99.
▪ Bombay Palace, 1801 Alexandria Dr., was placed on the list on March 24, 2021. Latest inspection on Aug. 20, 2021, scored 97.
▪ Buffalo Wild Wings, 3094 Old Todds Rd., was placed on the list on Sept. 23, 2021 after scoring 93. Inspector found no sanitizer in the dish machine in the bar, a leak in the ice machine at the bar, and insects/drain flies in the bar area. Latest inspection score on Sept. 23, 2021, was 93.
▪ Cajun Oasis, 3473 Nicholasville Rd., was placed on the list March 15, 2021. Latest inspection score on Aug. 20, 2021 was 94.
▪ Caramanda’s Bake Shoppe, 2901 Richmond Rd., was placed on the list July 30, 2021, after scoring 79. Inspector found no food manager, employee food and drink stored improperly at work stations, equipment and utensils not cleaned at proper intervals, no hair restraints, dirty surfaces, among other things. Latest inspection score on Aug. 13, 2021, was 96.
▪ Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital, 2050 Versailles Rd., was placed on the list on Feb. 25, 2021. Latest inspection score on Sept. 7, 2021, was 97.
▪ Cattle Drive, 4561 Iron Works Pike, was placed on the list May 19, 2021. Latest inspection score on June 8, 2021, was 99.
▪ Cinco de Mayo of Lexington 2, 3031 Richmond Rd., was placed on the list Aug. 25, 2020. Latest inspection score on Aug. 17, 2021, was 94.
▪ Clarion Hotel, 1950 Newtown Pike, was placed on the list and closed temporarily on Sept. 21, 2021, after scoring 68. Inspector found presence of rodents and insects, rodent-contaminated fudge brownie mix, that the kitchen was “unable to properly clean/sanitize food equipment due to amount of insects present,” “large plume” of drain flies, food not maintained at safe temperatures including raw eggs and cooked bacon, dirty surfaces, among other issues.
▪ Common Grounds, 4772 Hartland Parkway, was placed on the list on Feb. 26, 2021. Latest inspection score on Aug. 24, 2021, was 95.
▪ Cracker Barrel, 2220 Elkhorn Rd., was placed on the list on Aug. 14, 2020. Latest inspection score on Aug. 9, 2021, was 98.
▪ Crossroads IGA, 1803 Georgetown Rd., was placed on the list on Oct. 30, 2020. Latest inspection score on Aug. 6, 2021, was 96.
▪ Crumbl Cookies, 2106 Sir Barton Way, was placed on the list on June 14, 2021, after scoring 81. Inspector found employee water bottles on food contact surfaces, food stored uncovered, insufficient coolers for proper storage, improper hair restraints, live flies throughout facility and more. Latest inspection score on June 28, 2021, was 97.
▪ Dairy Queen, 464 W. New Circle Rd., was placed on the list on Sept. 9, 2020. Latest inspection score on Sept. 9, 2021 was 96.
▪ Dairy Queen, 350 Virginia Ave., was placed on the list on Jan. 11, 2021. Latest inspection score on June 3, 2021, was 93.
▪ El Antojito, 565 E. New Circle Rd., was placed on the list on Sept. 9, 2021, after scoring 70. Inspector found food stored uncovered, dishware not sanitized, food not maintained at safe temperatures, food not date marked, lack of hair restraints, soiled surfaces, among other issues. Latest inspection score on Sept. 9, 2021, was 70.
▪ El Patio, 2628 Richmond Rd., was placed on the list on March 5, 2021. Latest inspection score on Sept. 3, 2021 was 95.
▪ Fairfield Inn & Suites, 2100 Hackney Place, was placed on the list on June 21, 2021, after scoring 83. Inspector found inadequate sanitizing, food not kept at safe temperatures, among other things. Latest inspection score on July 12, 2021, was 98.
▪ Graze, 411 Woodland Ave., was placed on the list on Sept. 30, 2020. Latest inspection score on June 29, 2021 was 95.
▪ Idle Hour Country Club, 1815 Richmond Rd., was placed on the list on Sept. 21, 2021, after scoring 80. Inspector found expired dairy, improper food storage, food not date marked or expired, dirty surfaces, presence of flies in multiple areas of the kitchen, among other issues.
▪ Jalapeno’s Restaurant, 1030 S. Broadway, was placed on the list Sept. 3, 2020. Latest inspection score on Sept. 21, 2021 was 77.
▪ La Cabana, 1414 Bryan Ave., was placed on the list April 19, 2021. Latest inspection score on Sept. 22, 2021, was 95.
▪ La Reference Restaurant, 2396 Woodhill Dr., was placed on the list on March 11, 2021. Latest inspection score on Sept. 22, 2021, was 96.
▪ Little Caesar’s Pizza, 135 E. New Circle Rd., was placed on the list on Sept. 2, 2021, after scoring 81. Inspector found employee drinks and food on in-use prep surfaces, improper hand washing and gloving, dishware not properly sanitized, lack of hair restraints, among other issues. Latest inspection score on Sept. 22, 2021, was 96.
▪ Longhorn Steak House, 2217 Harrodsburg Rd., was placed on the list on Aug. 18, 2021, after scoring 85. Inspector found employee beverages on food prep surfaces, expired buttermilk and chocolate milk, among other issues. Latest inspection score on Aug. 25, 2021, was 96.
▪ Loudon Square Buffet, 801 N. Broadway, was placed on the list on June 2, 2021, after scoring 79. Inspector found evidence of rodents observed outside with “several burrows were observed near the front entrance under the sidewalk,” personal drink on prep table, food stored uncovered, “many surfaces unclean and unsanitary,” raw meat thawing at room temp, among other issues. Latest inspection score on July 19, 2021, was 94.
▪ Marathon, 274 New Circle Rd., was placed on the list on Oct. 29, 2020.
▪ Mimi’s Southern Style Cooking, 126 E. New Circle Rd., was placed on the list on Nov. 4, 2020. Latest inspection score on Aug. 5, 2021, was 95.
▪ Minit Mart, 2297 Thunderstick Dr., was placed on the list on June 9, 2021, after scoring 94 for food service and 93 for retail. Inspector found the hand sink blocked with trays of pop, a leaking pipe below the three-compartment sink, multiple expired dairy items and hot dogs for sale. Latest inspection score on June 16, 2021, was 98.
▪ Minit Mart, 2300 Versailles Rd., was placed on the list on April 29, 2021. Latest inspection score on June 16, 2021 was 98.
▪ Missy’s Pie Shop, 502 E. High St., was placed on the list on Jan. 15, 2021. Latest inspection score on May 26, 2021, was 93.
▪ Naz Three BP, 781 E. New Circle Rd., was place on the list on May 14, 2021. Latest inspection score on May 14, 2021 was 80.
▪ Nefertiti, 1301 Winchester Rd., was placed on the list on April 13, 2021. Latest inspection score on Sept. 2, 2021, was 93.
▪ New Creation Childcare, 1037 Industry Rd., was placed on the list on May 24, 2021. Latest inspection score on June 9, 2021, was 97.
▪ Nuhealth Johnson Center, 434 Complex Dr., was placed on the list on April 1, 2021. Latest inspection score on Aug. 6, 2021, was 100.
▪ Panaderia Aguacalientes, 1400 Alexandria Dr., was placed on the list on Aug. 2021, 2020. Latest inspection score on Sept. 7, 2021, on 97.
▪ Panda Cuisine, 2358 Nicholasville Rd., was placed on the list on Aug. 18, 2021 after scoring 79. Inspector found expired food, food stored uncovered, food not kept at safe temps or properly date marked, dirty equipment, among other issues. Latest inspection score on Sept. 1, 2021 was 96.
▪ Panda Garden, 3401 Southland Dr., was placed on the list on Aug. 14, 2020.
▪ Papi’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar, 818 Euclid Ave., was placed on the list on April 14, 2021. Latest inspection score on Sept. 17, 2021 was 96.
▪ Papi’s Rapido, 1214 S. Broadway, was placed on the list on Nov. 20, 2020. Latest inspection score on July 20, 2021, was 94.
▪ Penn Station, 3090 Todds Rd., was placed on the list on Nov. 4, 2020. Latest inspection score on July 30, 2021, was 92.
▪ Ranada’s Kitchen, 469 E. High St., was placed on the list on Aug. 31, 2021, after scoring 71. Inspector found improper hand washing, expired food, potentially dangerous canned food, food not kept at safe temps, lack of hair restraint while preparing food, dirty surfaces, among other issues. Latest inspection score on Sept. 14, 2021, was 96.
▪ Sabor Latino Pupusas, 1479 Boardwalk, was placed on the list on Sept. 15, 2021. Latest inspection score on July 28, 2021 was 93.
▪ Sakura Japanese, 3695 Nicholasville Rd., was placed on the list on Oct. 28, 2020. Latest inspection score on Aug. 19, 2021, on 94.
▪ Santa Fe Taqueria, 2350 Woodhill Dr., was placed on the list on June 21, 2021, after scoring 76. Inspector found food not kept at safe temps or properly date marked, frozen beef improperly thawing, no hair restraints, soiled surfaces, no hot water at some sinks, no water at some sinks, among other issues. Latest inspection score on July 9, 2021, 93.
▪ Sir Pizza Commissary, 2604 Richmond Rd., was placed on the list on Aug. 28, 2020. Latest inspection score on Aug. 30, 2021, was 93.
▪ Speedway, 2910 Tates Creek Rd., was placed on the list on Aug. 20, 2020. Latest inspection score on Aug. 5, 2021, was 96.
▪ Storming Crab, 4009 Nicholasville Rd., was placed on the list on June 30, 2021, after scoring 76. Inspector found employee beverages and food improperly stored, improper handwashing, visibly spoiled produce, raw alligator stored above ready-to-eat food, crab legs and lobster tail thawing at room temperature, among other issues. Latest inspection score on July 15, 2021, was 95.
▪ Super Mercado Aguacalientes, 2341 Woodhill Dr., was placed on the list on April 26, 2021. Latest inspection score on Aug. 20, 2021, was 93.
▪ Super Mercado Aquacalientes, 2220 Nicholasville Rd., was placed on the list on Oct. 20, 2020. Latest inspection score on Sept. 23, 2021, was 92.
▪ Super Mercado Aguascalientes, 1424 Alexandria Dr., was placed on the list on Nov. 11, 2020. Latest inspection score on Sept. 14, 2021, was 96.
▪ Swift 1, 1875 August Dr., was placed on the list on May 13, 2021. Latest inspection score on Sept. 21, 2021, was 86.
▪ Taco Bell, 1935 Plaudit Place, was placed on the list on July 30, 2021, after scoring 79. Inspector found improper handwashing, food stored uncovered, dirty surfaces, among other issues. Latest inspection score on Aug. 13, 2021, was 97.
▪ Taj India Indian Restaurant, 154 Patchen Dr., was placed on the list on Oct. 16, 2020. Latest inspection score on June 2, 2021, was 90.
▪ Tandoor Indian, 3146 Maple Leaf Dr., was placed on the list on April 16, 2021. Latest inspection score on Aug. 20, 2021, was 97.
▪ Tylor Asian Market, 1555 E. New Circle Rd., was placed on the list June 7, 2021, after scoring 84. Inspector found cooked duck with packaging not covering the entire product in the cooler for customer self-service, raw frozen fish and raw meatballs in unsealed packages available for customer self-service, among other issues.
▪ Unique Food Mart, 1396 Leestown Rd., was placed on the list on Oct. 21, 2020. Latest inspection score on July 14, 2021, was 98.
▪ Winburn Mini Mart, 1116 Winburn Dr., was placed on the list on Aug. 16, 2021, after scoring 78 for food service and 81 for retail. Inspector found handwashing sink inaccessible, food including fried chicken products not kept at safe temps, no hot water, mop sink not functioning, expired medicines on shelves, among other issues. Latest inspection score on Aug. 27, 2021, was 98.
▪ Wing Zone, 351 Southland Dr., was placed on the list on Aug. 13, 2020. Latest inspection score on July 29, 2021, was 96.
▪ Yu Yu Asian Market, 393 Waller Ave., was placed on the list on April 20, 2021.
This story was originally published October 21, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
