Lexington restaurant inspections: Downtown taco stand, food service store closed
The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department temporarily closed two Lexington food service providers in the last month.
They also would have shut down another local restaurant but discovered it apparently had gone out of business.
It’s a jump from the end of 2023, when the health department said there were no restaurant closures from October through January.
How Lexington health department inspections work
The health department inspects every local food service establishment at least every six months; some restaurants are placed on enhanced regulatory enforcement and receive additional inspections. Restaurants also are inspected if the health department receives credible complaints.
When the health department closes a restaurant, a red sign is placed on the door to notify potential customers that food service has been halted. But the health department does not publicize that restaurants have been closed.
In February, the Herald-Leader published an updated list of the 158 restaurants and food service providers that are under enhanced regulatory enforcement, formerly called probation, by the health department.
Restaurants closed by Lexington health department
▪ I Want Tacos Too, a downtown food stand at 400 W. Main St. in Triangle Park, was closed on Feb. 23 due to repeated failing inspections, according to a health department spokesman.
The inspection scored 69, with violations including a personal phone on food prep surface, improper handwashing, hand sink blocked, expired dairy, food stored uncovered, food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized, food not maintained at safe temperature, food not date-marked for expiration, food held past seven days, food improperly labeled, lack of hair restraints, improper sanitizing, and a sleeping area for child located inside the kitchen.
It reopened on March 15, according to the health department.
Gordon Food Service, 1856 Plaudit Place, was closed on March 1 due to excessive dust from construction. According to an inspection report, the inspector noted that the food service provider was under renovation, with all stations closed and under construction.
The store reopened on March 2, according to the health department.
Also, in February, a closure notice was posted on Tossin Tha Sauce Wings on South Limestone due to non-payment of their 2024 permit to operate. According to the health department, the inspector indicated that it appeared that they were no longer in operation.
