Lexington restaurant inspections: Rodent droppings, cockroaches, phone on sushi prep

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department has released an updated list of 148 restaurants and businesses that are on a regulatory watch list for food service as of Jan. 27.

Since October, the health department has also temporarily closed two food service establishments for violations.

▪ Speedway, 2301 Versailles Rd., was closed on Jan. 22. They were found to be operating without running water. The convenience store reopened on Jan. 23.

▪ Nic & Norman’s, 135 W. Main St., closed briefly on Dec. 9 for lack of hot water and for inoperable dishwasher and three-compartment sink. The restaurant reopened on Dec. 10 after plumbing repairs.

There were no closures in November, according to the health department.

Lexington health department’s enhanced regulatory enforcement

This is the second time in more than a year that the health department’s enhanced enforcement list, formerly known as probation, got shorter: There were 158 establishments on the list in January, 166 in June and 160 in October.

Between Oct. 1 and Jan. 27, 26 food service establishments were added to the health department’s watch list for heightened scrutiny designed to protect the dining public from food-borne illness.

The Fayette County Health Department does not flag on inspection scores which restaurants are on the watch list or post full restaurant inspection reports on its website. The Herald-Leader obtains the detailed list and individual reports through open records requests, but the health department limits the number of reports allowed due to staffing constraints.

What Lexington restaurants came off the watch list, formerly known as probation

Restaurants come off the list once they have twice passed inspections with no significant issues.

At least 36 establishments came off the list since October, many after successful passing repeated inspections.

Establishments that came off the watch list include: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Athens Food Mart, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels in Fayette Mall, Avon Mart, Bad Wolf Burgers, Campestre, Chuck E Cheese, Churreria La Coneja & Antojitos Mexicanos, Delicia’s, Dunkin Donuts on Versailles Road, El Sabor de Mexico Restaurant + Tayuena, IHOP Restaurant on New Circle Road, Latino Market, Lexington Griffin Gate Marriott Resort & Spa, Loradale Market, Midway Food Mart, Minglewood, Okome Asian Grill, Old Chicago, Oriental Super Market, Panda Garden, Papa John’s Pizza on Bryan Station Road, Papi’s Rapido, Penn Station on Nicholasville Road, Pepper’s Mexican Grill, Shell on Georgetown Road, Shun Lee, Tacos El Potro, Tandoor Indian, Taste of Thai, Texas Roadhouse on Richmond Road, The Tulip Bistro & Bar and Waffle House on South Broadway.

Some establishments came off the list because they closed or changed ownership:

▪ San Francisco Grocery at 1916 Oxford Circle, now under a new name, came off the list.

▪ Koi Express on Richmond Road came off the list because it has subsequently closed.

▪ El Cid Mexican Birrieria, 701 National Ave., came off the list because restaurant has since closed after an eviction following a fatal shooting.

How Lexington restaurants are inspected by the Health Department

All of Lexington’s nearly 1,500 food service establishments, from day cares and hospitals to grocery stores and restaurants, are inspected at least twice a year and most pass without significant problems. Hundreds score a perfect 100, many more than once.

Restaurants and food service establishments are required to post their most recent scores at the front door; scores in green boxes indicate passage and scores in red indicate failure. Those that score below 60 are closed until issues are remedied. Inspection scores are available online at the Lexington health department’s website at lfchd.org/food-protection.

After a pause at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department in 2021 resumed the key public health measure.

Restaurant inspectors place 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. 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, fail a significant inspection point or if they are required to be closed due to imminent health hazard such as raw sewage, rodent or insect infestations or a lack of electricity or water.

Problems that constitute a failure are those deemed by the Food & Drug Administration to have the highest potential to adversely affect public health, such as improper food handling, lack of hand-washing or improper dish sanitizing.

Luke Mathis, environmental health team leader, said in 2022 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 website too, before they go out to eat.”

Typically, food service establishments are inspected every six months. With enhanced enforcement, inspectors usually come every four months, Mathis said. Restaurants come off the enhanced enforcement when they pass regular inspections without significant issues twice in a row.

Generally, restaurants in the enhanced enforcement program are safe to eat at or the health department would have closed them down.

Restaurants on Lexington Health Department watch list (formerly probation)

This full watch list as of Jan. 27, 2025, includes some details for the 12 most recent inspections that landed restaurants on the list.

Names in bold are new additions to the list. Inspection scores listed are the latest available on the health department’s database, which was last updated Jan. 13, 2025.

▪ 300 Grill, 205 Southland Dr., was placed on the list Feb. 13, 2024. Inspection score on Oct 21, 2024, was 98.

▪ 33 Staves, 4174 Rowan in the Origin Lexington hotel at the Summit at Fritz Farm, was placed on the list on May 17, 2023, after scoring 80. Inspection score on Nov. 4, 2024, was 97.

▪ Ali Baba, 412 Southland Dr., was place on the list July 26, 2023, with a score of 83. Inspection score on Dec. 18, 2024, was 84.

▪ Asian Bistro, 4224 Saron Dr., was place on the list Aug. 9, 2023, after scoring 82. Inspection on Dec. 27, 2024, scored 98.

▪ Asian Wind Restaurant, 3735 Palomar Center Dr. Suite 40, was placed on the list on Jan. 21, 2022. Inspection on Oct. 15, 2024, scored 90.

▪ Bandido Taqueria Mexicana, 535 S. Upper St. Suite 145, was placed on the list Oct. 3, 2023. Inspection on Nov. 4, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Bayou Bluegrass Catering, 903 Manchester St. Suite 100, was placed on the list Dec. 16, 2024, despite scoring 93. On a previous regular inspection on Nov. 13 that scored 87, inspector noted hot-held food not kept warm enough (all items immediately reheated); food kept past date of expiration (all items immediately discarded); equipment in poor repair; improper sanitizing; problems with the plumbing of the three-compartment sink; and more. On a follow-up inspection Dec. 2 that scored 97, inspector noted that plumbing was still an issue and said an enforcement notice had been issued.

▪ Bayou Bluegrass Catering, 861 S. Broadway, was placed on the list Oct. 5, 2023, after scoring 74. Inspection on Oct. 30, 2024, scored 97.

▪ BD’s Mongolian Grill, 2309 Sir Barton Way, was placed on the list on Sept. 28, 2023, after scoring 80. Inspection on Sept. 25, 2024, scored 94.

▪ Blaze Pizza, 4049 Finn Way #110, was placed on the list July 31, 2023, after scoring 81. Inspection on Nov. 15, 2024, scored 98.

▪ Blessing International, 1467 Leestown Rd., was placed on the list Jan. 5, 2024. Inspection on Oct. 10, 2024, scored 91.

▪ Bluefire Bar & Grill, 401 W. High St., was placed on the list on March 29, 2022. Inspection on Sept. 5, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Blue Skillet, 213 E. Seventh St., was placed on the list Jan. 15, 2025, after scoring 86 on a Dec. 20 inspection and 94 on a follow-up. Inspector in December noted hand washing sink not accessible; improper sanitizing; food not kept cold enough; food (potatoes) not properly stored; surfaces unclean; and more. Follow-up inspection found food not kept cold enough for food safety.

▪ Bumble Bites, 3735 Palomar Center Dr. Suite 230, was placed on the list Dec. 12, 2024, after scoring 81. Inspector noted that the person in charge did not demonstrate food safety knowledge; no certified food manager present; manager arrived during inspection but was not on duty and certification had expired; individual disposable towels not provided at hand sink in back of house; expired dairy; eggs improperly stored; food-contact surfaces improperly cleaned/sanitized (employee washing utensils in single compartment sink, sponge used to wash utensils); food improperly stored (cut berries and cheesecake in display cooler not cold enough for food safety, ham and cheese croissants left in unrefrigerated display cooler); food not kept warm enough for food safety (house-made boba not kept warm enough); food kept past date of expiration; food not clearly date-marked. All house-made items ordered quarantined/discarded. Follow-up inspection on Dec. 27 scored 90.

▪ Cedarhurst Senior Living, 1165 Monarch St., was place on the list Dec. 4, 2024, despite scoring 92. Follow-up inspection on Dec. 11, 2024, scored 99.

▪ Champion’s Nutrition, 1388 Alexandria Dr. #2, was placed on the list Jan. 23, 2025, after scoring 82. The inspector noted the person in charge didn’t demonstrate food safety knowledge; no certified food manager present; employee cell phone stored on food prep surface; hands not washed properly (no soap; at 3-compartment sink; wiping hands on clothing, no paper towels); eggs not date marked; cut fruit stored uncovered in reach-in cooler and touching unclean surfaces; improper sanitizing; no hair restraints where required; food handler cards missing; no soap or paper towels in the restroom. The establishment was issued a Notice to Correct to end retail food sales or change permit to food & retail.

▪ Chengs Restaurant, 3101 Clays Mill Rd. #302, was placed on the list April 25, 2024. Inspection on Sept. 23, 2024, scored 97.

▪ China King, 1650 Bryan Station Rd. #132, was placed on the list Jan. 29, 2024, after scoring 74. Inspection on Nov. 18, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Cinco de Mayo, 122 W. Maxwell St., was placed on the list April 15, 2024, after scoring 83. Inspection on Dec. 18, 2024, scored 97.

▪ City Barbeque, 3292 Richmond Rd., was placed on the list Sept. 7, 2024, after scoring 82. Inspection on Oct. 1, 2024, scored 99.

▪ Clamato’s, 2304 Versailles Rd., was placed on the list March 18, 2022. Inspection on Oct. 21, 2024, scored 93.

▪ Clarion Hotel, 1950 Newtown Pike, was placed on the list on Sept. 21, 2021. Inspection on Nov. 11, 2024, scored 100.

▪ Common Grounds, 3100 Old Todds Rd. Ste 100, was placed on the list July 1, 2024. Inspection on July 9, 2024, scored 96.

▪ Cookout, 855 S. Broadway, was placed on the list May 28, 2024, after failing a follow-up inspection despite scoring 92. Inspection on Sept. 13, 2024, scored 95.

▪ Crossroads IGA Store #761, 2565 Abigail Way, was placed on the list March 28, 2024. Inspection on Dec. 3, 2024, scored 96.

▪ Crumbl Cookies, 2106 Sir Barton Way #141, was placed on the list July 19, 2023, after scoring 82. Inspection on Nov. 21, 2024, scored 94.

▪ Dairy Queen, 2300 Palumbo Dr., was placed on the list Oct. 30, 2024, after scoring 84. Follow-up inspection on Nov. 20, 2024, scored 99.

▪ Darae & Friends, 3459 Buckhorn Dr., was placed on the list April 30, 2024. Inspection on Oct. 15, 2024, scored 94.

▪ Distilled, 157 Jefferson St., was placed on the list Oct. 17, 2024, after scoring 80. Follow-up inspection on Oct. 31, 2024, scored 97.

▪ District 7 Social, 1170 Manchester St. #160, was placed on the list Aug. 21, 2023, despite scoring 97. Inspection on Oct. 17, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Drake’s, 1735 Sharkey Way, was placed on the list Dec. 11, 2024. At a Nov. 18 regular inspection, the restaurant scored 85 and the inspector noted employees’ personal use of phones in food prep area and dishwashing area; food stored uncovered in reach-in coolers and walk-in coolers; utensils improperly sanitized (water not hot enough); food-contact surfaces not cleaned and sanitized; food not stored at least 6 inches above the floor; food stored where exposed to splash, dust or other contamination; no hair/beard restraints where required; cloths in use not stored in sanitizing solution; hands not washed when changing gloves; gloves not changed when switching tasks; equipment not maintained in good repair; dumpster doors left open; and floors, walls and ceilings unclean. On a follow-up inspection Dec. 4, Drake’s scored 89 and the inspector noted phones in use in sushi area and main food prep line; hands not washed properly, food-contact surfaces unsanitary due to phone on food-prep surface; and more. On a Dec. 11 follow-up inspection, the restaurant scored 98.

▪ Dumplings Noodles, 3695 Nicholasville Rd., was placed on the list June 15, 2023. Inspections on Oct. 11, 2024, scored 94.

▪ Durango’s Mexican Restaurant, 2121 Richmond Rd. Suite 150, was placed on the list June 20, 2024. Latest inspection on Dec. 26, 2024, scored 98.

▪ El Asadero Mexican Bar and Grill, 144 Rojay Dr., was placed on the list May 30, 2023, after scoring 81. Inspection on June 25, 2023, scored 94.

▪ El Azteca Mexican Grill, 1060 Chinoe Rd. Suite 104, was placed on the list Nov. 11, 2024, after scoring 84. Follow-up inspection on Dec. 2, 2024, scored 100.

▪ El Gran Tako, 340 E. New Circle Rd. Suite 100, was placed on the list on April 22, 2024. Inspection on Dec. 17, 2024, scored 88.

▪ El Gran Tako, 1801 Alexandria Dr. #156, was placed on the list Nov. 8, 2021. Inspection on Nov. 18, 2024, scored 96.

▪ El Huarache, 1316 Russell Cave Rd., was placed on the list Feb. 1, 2024, after scoring 82. Inspection on Dec. 19, 2024, scored 90.

▪ El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant, 125 Towne Center Dr. Suite 115, was placed on the list Dec. 5, 2025, following a complaint-based inspection that scored 81. Follow-up inspection on Dec. 18, 2024, scored 95.

▪ El Patron Mexican Restaurant, 1765 Alexandria Dr., was placed on the list June 15, 2022. Inspection on Oct. 21, 2024, scored 96.

▪ El Rey de Los Pollos, 1489 Alexandria Dr., was placed on the list Nov. 29, 2023, after scoring 78. Inspection on Oct. 4, 2024, scored 96.

▪ El Rey de Mariscos, 1485-1 Alexandria Dr., was placed on the list on April 6, 2022. Inspection on Dec. 20, 2024, scored 83.

▪ El Tenampa Restoran en Bar, 1914 Oxford Circle, was placed on the list April 26, 2024, after scoring 83. Inspection on Oct. 15, 2024, scored 97.

▪ End Line Cafe, 3025 Blake James Dr., was placed on the list Aug. 2, 2024. Inspection on Dec. 17, 2024, scored 99.

▪ Everest Restaurant, 1801 Alexandria Dr. Suite 192, was placed on the list April 5, 2024. Inspection on Dec. 4, 2024, scored 98.

▪ Fairfield Inn & Suite, 2211 Elkhorn Rd., was placed on the list July 13, 2023. Inspection on Nov. 1, 2024, scored 99.

▪ Fazoli’s, 2195 Richmond Rd., was placed on the list July 17, 2023, after scoring 84. Inspection on Nov. 25, 2024, scored 94.

▪ Firehouse Subs, 1781 Sharkey Way, was placed on the list March 15, 2024. Inspection on Dec. 11, 2024, scored 96.

▪ Frisch’s, 1927 Harrodsburg Rd., was placed on the list Oct. 17, 2024. The restaurant has since closed permanently.

▪ Fruteria Las Veracruzanas, 133 Venture Court Suite 170, was placed on the list July 17, 2024. Inspection on Nov. 20, 2024, scored 100.

▪ Golden Corral, 185 E. New Circle Rd., was placed on the list March 27, 2024. Inspection on Nov. 24, 2024, scored 94.

▪ Golden Wok, 3101 Richmond Rd., was placed on the list May 3, 2024, after scoring 81. Inspection on Oct. 8, 2024, scored 98.

▪ Good Foods Market & Cafe, 455 Southland Dr., was placed on the list May 22, 2024, after scoring 80 on food service. Inspection on Oct. 14, 2024, scored 98.

▪ Grime’s Restaurant, 325 Roosevelt Blvd., was placed on the list Nov. 22, 2022, after scoring 84. Inspection on Oct. 4, 2024, scored 95.

▪ Hardee’s, 2990 Richmond Rd., was placed on the list March 20, 2023, after scoring 71. Inspection on Nov. 1, 2024, scored 98.

▪ Highgrove at Tates Creek, 1608 Versailles Rd., was placed on the list March 29, 2024. Inspection on Dec. 12, 2024, scored 95.

▪ Homestead Nursing Home, 1608 Versailles Rd., was placed on the list March 3, 2023. Inspection on Oct. 25, 2024, scored 96.

▪ Honey J’s, 1474 Anniston Dr., was placed on the list May 20, 2024, after scoring 82. Inspection on Dec. 16, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Hyatt Place Lexington, 2001 Bryant Rd., was placed on the list Dec. 3, 2024, despite scoring 94. Follow-up inspection on Dec. 11, 2024, scored 100.

▪ Idle Hour Country Club, 1815 Richmond Rd., was placed on the list March 20, 2024. Inspection on Dec. 5, 2024, scored 99.

▪ Independence Homes, 3057 N. Cleveland Rd., was placed on the list Jan. 30, 2024, after scoring 84. Inspection on Oct. 31, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Jean Farris Winery, 6825 Old Richmond Rd., was placed on the list Jan. 16, 2025. In a Dec. 19, 2024, inspection that scored 90, the inspector noted expired salmon; food not clearly date marked; presence of rodents — droppings on top of warewashing machine. In a Jan. 16 follow-up, inspector again noted the presence of rodents.

▪ Jet’s Pizza, 3735 Palomar Centre Dr. Suite 70, was placed on the list Jan. 27, 2025, after scoring 80. Inspector noted improper handwashing (no soap, wiping hands on apron); food surface not cleaned (employee observed not sanitizing large mixer bowl); food not maintained at food safe temperature (all items immediately discarded); food improperly date marked to be held longer than 7 days; improper sanitizing; and presence of cockroaches.

▪ Kinder Care Learning Center, 3199 Custer Dr., was placed on the list May 12, 2023. Inspection on Nov. 25, 2024, scored 98.

▪ Kroger, 1600 Leestown Rd. Suite 150, was placed on the list on Oct. 29, 2024, after scoring 73 on food service and 97 on retail. Follow-up inspection on Nov. 14, 2024, scored 95.

▪ Kroger, 150 W. Lowry Lane, Suite 190, was placed on the list Oct. 16, 2023, after scoring 82 for food service. Inspection on Oct. 29, 2024, scored 96.

▪ L8NITE, 401 S. Limestone #104, was placed on the list April 18, 2024. Inspection on Sept. 5, 2024, scored 93.

▪ La Cabana, 1414 Bryan Ave., was placed on the list on Aug. 13, 2024, after scoring 80 on inspection. Inspection on Dec. 202, 204, scored 85.

▪ La Guadalupana, 1533 Eastland Parkway #8, was placed on the list Dec. 5, 2022. Inspection on Oct. 10, 2024, scored 93.

▪ La Princesa Super Mercado, 1430 Village Dr., was placed on the list Dec. 5, 2024, after scoring 84 on food and 87 on retail. Follow-up inspection on Dec. 30, 2024, scored 96.

▪ La Michoacana de Lexington, 1801 Alexandria Dr. No. 176, was placed on the list Feb. 17, 2022. Inspection on Sept. 6, 2024, scored 95.

▪ Lexington Premier Nursing & Rehab, 2770 Palumbo Dr., was placed on the list June 9, 2023. Inspection on Oct. 29, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Lexington Residence Inn, 3110 Wall St., was placed on the list Oct. 15, 2024, despite scoring 88. Inspection on Oct. 22, 2024, scored 98.

▪ Logan’s Roadhouse, 1908 Pavilion Way, was placed on the list Oct. 31, 2023, after scoring 82. Inspection on Dec. 13, 2023, scored 94.

▪ Longhorn Steakhouse, 2217 Harrodsburg Rd., was placed on the list Dec. 12, 2024, after a complaint-based inspection that scored 82. The restaurant previously scored 85 on a Nov. 20, 2024, inspection where the inspection noted improper tasting; employees eating, drinking or smoking in unauthorized area; food not maintained cold enough for safety; notice to correct issued to repair walk-in cooler with-in 24 hours; food improperly stored; improper sanitizing; non-food contact surfaces not kept clean; plumbing not in good repair (hand sink not draining, leak at toilet in employee restroom); employee toilet facility unclean; paper towels not provided in employee restroom; and more. A follow-up inspection on Dec. 27, 2024, scored 93.

▪ Mad Mushroom of UK, 561 S. Broadway, was placed on the list on Aug. 16, 2022. Inspection on Sept. 19, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Mancino’s, 1590-A Leestown Rd., was placed on the list March 11, 2024. Inspection on Oct. 11, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Mango Thai, 3473 Nicholasville Rd. at Fayette Mall, was placed on the list Jan. 25, 2023. Inspection on Dec. 19, 2024, scored 93.

▪ Maria’s Kitchen, 805 N. Broadway, was placed on the list Oct. 1, 2024, after scoring 65. Inspection on Oct. 18, 2024, scored 95.

▪ Masala Indian Cuisine, 3061 Fieldstone Way Suite 600, was placed on the list March 4, 2022. Inspection on Nov. 4, 2024, scored 94.

▪ Mayfair Manor, 3300 Tates Creek Rd., was placed on the list Sept. 9, 2024. Inspection on Sept. 24, 2024, scored 98.

▪ McDonald’s, 2359 Richmond Rd., was placed on the list Jan. 13, 2025, after scoring 82. Inspector noted employee drinks sitting on food prep surface; employee chewing gum and preparing drinks; employee dropped lotion and co-worker picked it up for her, handed it to her and went back to making drinks without washing hands; employee put tube of lotion in pocket after it was on floor and went back to preparing drive-thru bags without washing hands; out-of-date condiments in refrigerator; hash browns in freezer covered in ice; tea stored uncovered in drive-thru; de-limer chemical stored on out-of-service drink machine over drink cups and lids; food handler cards not available; employee preparing food without proper hair restraint; health department score from previous inspection not properly displayed; and more.

▪ McDonald’s, 2483 Nicholasville Rd., was placed on the list April 10, 2024. Inspection on Sept. 10, 2024, scored 98.

▪ McDonald’s, 2321 Versailles Rd., was placed on the list Aug. 27, 2024, after scoring 80. Inspection on Dec. 11, 2024, score 97.

▪ Meadowthorpe Assisted Living, 171 Leestown Center Way, was placed on the list April 24, 2023. Inspection on Dec. 19, 2023, scored 99. Inspection on Dec. 6, 2024, scored 99.

▪ Mexico Mi Amor, 780 N. Limestone, was placed on the list May 1, 2024, after scoring 71. Inspection on Dec. 20, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Miyako, 2547 Richmond Rd., was placed on the list June 24, 2024, after scoring 75. Inspection on Nov. 27, 2024, scored 91.

▪ MOD Superfast Pizza, 2217 War Admiral Way, was placed on the list April 3, 2024. Inspection on Dec. 2, 2024, scored 98.

▪ Moe’s Southwest Grill, 1975 Harrodsburg Rd., was placed on the list Jan. 13, 2025, despite scoring 92. Inspector noted on a Dec. 20 inspection employee personal phone and drink stored on top of cutting board in kitchen area; employee personal perfume bottle stored beside clean dishes in kitchen; open employee drink stored in reach-in cooler beside service drinks; expired food handler cards; cutting boards in poor repair; storage shelves rusted and in poor repair; no cold running water under pressure at handwashing sink; leak in sink drain and leak in three-compartment sink handle; outside garbage area missing required cover and doors; and walls unclean in kitchen. At a follow-up inspection on Jan. 13, 2025, inspector again noted employee beverages improperly stored; improper sanitizing; no hair restraints where required; leaky hand sink; and employee clothing/possessions not stored properly.

▪ Mr Kabab, 2901 Richmond Rd 150, was placed on the list June 21, 2024, after scoring 74. Inspection on Dec. 23, 2024, scored 94.

▪ Nepmart Grocery, 2350 Woodhill Dr. Suite 172, was placed on the list Dec. 7, 2023, after scoring 82. Inspection on Dec. 11, 2024, scored 95.

▪ Nic & Norman’s, 135 W. Main St. was placed on the Dec. 9, 2024, after scoring 78 and the restaurant was briefly closed for lack of hot water and properly working dishwasher. The restaurant reopened on Dec. 10, 2024, and a followup inspection that day scored 94.

▪ Nortenas Latin Market, 1496 Leestown Rd. Ste. 125, was placed on the list Aug. 9, 2024. Inspection on Dec. 16, 2024, scored 76.

▪ O’Hana Market, 1701 Alexandria Dr. #D, was placed on the list Sept. 16, 2024, after scoring 76. Inspection on Oct. 16, 2024, scored 94.

▪ Pan Casero Remys, 1426 Village Dr., was placed on the list Sept. 23, 2021. Inspection on Jan. 17, 2024, scored 80. Inspection on Oct. 24, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Panaderia Aguascalientes (Bakery), 1400 Alexandria Dr., was placed on the list Feb. 6, 2023, after scoring 81. Inspection on Dec. 30, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Panda Cuisine, 2358 Nicholasville Rd. #115, was placed on the list Aug. 16, 2024, after scoring 79. Inspection on Aug. 29, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Papa John’s, 265 Avenue of Champions, was placed on the list Jan. 31, 2023. Inspection on Nov. 14, 2024, scored 96.

▪ Papi’s Palomar, 3901 Harrodsburg Rd. Suite 180, was placed on the list Sept. 16, 2022. Inspection on Dec. 5, 2024, scored 98.

▪ Parisa International Supermarket, 2626 Richmond Rd., was placed on the list Oct. 29, 2024, after scoring 76 on retail. Follow-up inspection on Nov. 12, 2024, scored 98.

▪ Penn Station, 1080 S. Broadway Suite 101, was placed on the list Feb. 2, 2023, after scoring 79. Inspection on Nov. 1, 2024, scored 95.

▪ Penn Station, 3090 Todds Rd., was placed on the list on Nov. 4, 2020. Inspection on Oct. 29, 2024, scored 95.

▪ Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant, 3280 Eagle View Lane, was placed back on the list Sept. 25, 2024, after scoring 83. Inspection on Oct. 17, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Phillip’s Grocery, 553 S. Limestone, was placed on the list April 27, 2023. Inspection on Oct. 15, 2024, scored 93.

▪ Pho Saigon, 555 E. New Circle Rd. Ste 162, was placed on the list Sept. 25, 2024, after scoring 83. Inspection on Oct. 11, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Platanito, 1388 Alexandria Dr. Suite 5, was placed on the list Oct. 9, 2023, after scoring 58. Inspection on Oct. 14, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Popeyes Louisiana Chicken, 115 E. New Circle Rd., was placed on the list March 22, 2023, after scoring 79. Inspection on Dec. 9, 2024, scored 94.

▪ Preferida Supermarket, 1801 Alexandria Dr. #172, was placed on the list Feb. 28, 2022. Inspection on Oct. 31, 2024, scored 96.

▪ Puccini’s Pizza, 833 Chevy Chase Place, was placed on the list June 28, 2022. Inspection on Oct. 9, 2024, scored 96.

▪ Quality Inn, 2381 Buena Vista Rd., was placed on the list Dec. 27, 2022. Inspection on Dec. 26, 2024, scored 93.

▪ Restaurant Aguascalientes, 1400 Alexandria Dr. #A, was placed on the list March 17, 2023, after scoring 82. Inspection on Oct. 21, 2024, scored 95.

▪ Royal Blue Market, 1485 Leestown Rd., was placed on the list Jan. 31, 2024. Inspection on Oct. 28, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Sabor Latino Pupusas, 1479 Boardwalk, was placed on the list April 12, 2022. Inspection on Oct. 15, 2024, scored 94.

▪ Sam’s Hot Dogs, 4300 Winchester Rd., was placed on the list April 25, 2023. Inspection on Dec. 19, 2024, scored 91.

▪ Santa Fe Taqueria, 2350 Woodhill Dr. #168, was placed on the list April 8, 2024. Inspection on Oct. 10, 2024, scored 95.

▪ Save-A-Lot, 2189 Versailles Rd., was placed on the list Dec. 15, 2023, after scoring 80. Inspection on Sept. 11, 2024, scored 93.

▪ Sedona Taphouse North, 1950 Newtown Pike, was placed on the list March 27, 2023. Inspection on June 5, 2024, scored 95.

▪ Selby’s Tropical Food Mart, 2339 Woodhill Dr., was placed on the list Nov. 17, 2023, after scoring 79. Inspection on Dec. 10, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Speedway, 2301 Versailles Rd., was placed on the list Jan. 22, 2025, and immediately shut down after the establishment was found to be operating without water. It was allowed to reopen the next day.

▪ Speedway, 911 Beaumont Centre Parkway, was placed on the list Oct. 17, 2022. Inspection on Nov. 7, 2024, scored 90.

▪ Speedway, 2910 Tates Creek Rd., was placed on the list July 24, 2024. Inspection on Nov. 15, 2024, scored 91.

▪ Speedway, 2301 Paris Pike., was placed on the list Nov. 30, 2022. Inspection on Nov. 26, 2023, scored 94.

▪ Speedway, 515 Euclid Ave., was placed on the list Dec. 11, 2023. Inspection on Dec. 2, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Speedway, 1401 Leestown Rd., was placed on the list Oct. 19, 2023. Inspection on Oct. 21, 2024, scored 94.

▪ Speedway, 716 N. Broadway, was placed on the list March 14, 2023. Inspection on Nov. 4, 2024, scored 94.

▪ Speedway, 803 S. Broadway, was placed on the list May 2, 2024. Inspection on Oct. 2, 2024, scored 94.

▪ Subway, 2160 Sir Barton Way, was placed on the list Aug. 8, 2024. Inspection on Dec. 4, 2024, scored 100.

▪ Subway, 4218 Saron Dr., was placed on the list Oct. 29, 2021. Inspection on Sept. 16, 2024, scored 98.

▪ Sumo, 1030 S. Broadway, was placed on the list April 29, 2024, after scoring 80. Inspection on Oct. 22, 2024, scored 96.

▪ Super Mercado Aguascalientes, 1424 Alexandria Dr., was placed on the list on June 8, 2023. Inspection on Oct. 23, 2024, scored 92.

▪ Super Mercado Aguascalientes, 459 W. New Circle Rd., was placed on the list July 31, 2023, after scoring 78. Inspection on Oct. 14, 2024, scored 97.

▪ SuperMercado Superaguascalientes, 2341 Woodhill Dr., was placed on the list Sept. 24, 2024, after scoring 77. Inspection on Oct. 9, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Sutton’s Restaurant, 2990 Richmond Rd., was placed on the list Oct. 18, 2023, after scoring 80. Inspection on Oct. 9, 2024, scored 90.

▪ Taco Stop Taqueria, 1474 Anniston Dr., was placed on the list Feb. 1, 2024, after scoring 80. Inspection on Sept. 30, 2024, scored 94.

▪ Taj India Indian Restaurant, 154 Patchen Dr. #68, was placed on the list Jan. 10, 2024, after scoring 84. Inspection on Nov. 25, 2024, scored 95.

▪ The Campbell House, 1375 S. Broadway, was placed on the list May 16, 2023, despite scoring 92. Inspection on Oct. 4, 2024, scored 97.

▪ The Inferno at Ethereal Brewing, 102 W. Vine St., was placed on the list June 26, 2024, after scoring 71. Inspection on Dec. 20, 2024, scored 98.

▪ The Peach Cobbler Factory, 561 S. Broadway, was placed on the list Oct. 31, 2023. Inspection on Oct. 3, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Thoroughbred Restaurant, 1483 Leestown Rd., was placed on the list Dec. 6, 2022, after scoring 80. Inspection on Oct. 11, 2024, scored 95.

▪ Tortilleria Ramirez, 1429 Alexandria Dr., was placed on the list Feb. 14, 2022. Inspection on Oct. 16, 2024, scored 96.

▪ Versailles Honduran and Mexican Restaurant, 1205 Versailles Rd., was placed on the list Dec. 13, 2022, after scoring 78. Inspection on Nov. 20, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Viva Mexico, 2573 Richmond Rd. #170, was placed on the list Jan. 17, 2025, after scoring 84. The inspector noted employee personal items stored above food prep surfaces (phone charging on storage race above hot holding line); oysters missing records of where/by whom harvested; multiple food items stored uncovered; foods not cooked to required proper temperature (chicken not cooked to 165 degrees); foods cooked, then refrigerated, the not reheated properly; food (5-gallon buckets of queso and mole) requiring refrigeration not at food-safe temperature; no hair/beard restraints where required; missing food handler cards; and more.

▪ Waffle House, 1134 Winchester Rd., was placed on the list Nov. 14, 2024. Follow-up inspection on Nov. 21, 2024, scored 98.

▪ Wildcat Coal Lodge, 318 College View Ave., was placed on the list July 8, 2024, despite scoring 92 on June 24, 2024. Inspection on Oct. 31, 2024, scored 99.

▪ Winburn Fruit Market, 1198 Winburn Dr., was placed on the list Oct. 29, 2024, after scoring 78 on food service and 84 on retail. Follow-up inspection on Nov. 21, 2024, scored 98.

▪ Z Market #1, 1150 Versailles Rd., was placed on the list on Sept. 15, 2023, after scoring 84. Inspection on Oct. 21, 2024, scored 98.

▪ Zaxby’s, 1772 Sharkey Way, was placed on the list on Aug. 31, 2023, after scoring 76. Inspection on Sept. 9, 2024, scored 95.

▪ Zen Sushi & Sake, 3070 Lakecrest Circle #500, was added to the list June 27, 2024, after scoring 87. Inspection on Nov. 18, 2024, scored 97.

▪ Zim’s Cafe, 215 W. Main St., was placed on the list May 6, 2024, after scoring 78. Inspection on Sept. 19, 2024, scored 99.

Janet Patton

Lexington Herald-Leader

859-379-5233

Janet Patton covers restaurants, bars, food and bourbon for the Herald-Leader. She is an award-winning business reporter who also has covered agriculture, gambling, horses and hemp. Support my work with a digital subscription