AJI Ramen & Sushi Records 36 Violations During Greater Lynchburg Food Inspections

Downtown Lynchburg restaurant posts the highest violation total Lynchburg Agenda has seen while three establishments complete routine inspections without a single violation.

The Central Virginia Health District conducted 23 routine food inspections across Greater Lynchburg during the July 21–27 reporting period. Inspectors also completed 11 follow-up inspections, seven other inspections, three pre-opening inspections and one training inspection during the week.

At first glance, the week appears to be defined by one extraordinary inspection. AJI Ramen & Sushi in downtown Lynchburg recorded 36 violations during its routine inspection—far exceeding the week's next-highest total of 10 and marking the largest violation count Lynchburg Agenda has reported since launching this weekly feature. Outside of that inspection, however, the week's routine findings were more in line with a typical reporting period.

Among routine inspections, AJI Ramen & Sushi recorded the week's highest violation total with 36 violations, followed by Brauburgers Craft Burgers & Beer in Forest with 10, Pino's Italian Restaurant in Appomattox with eight, Mikado Express in Lynchburg with seven, and China Tastes in Bedford and Fleming Mountain Grill in Lynchburg with six violations each.

Editor's Note: Inspection reports are snapshots in time. Many violations are corrected during the inspection, and establishments may address additional items before follow-up visits.

📊 Routine Inspection Summary

Routine inspections: 23

Zero-violation routine inspections: 3

Highest violation total: 36

Establishments with five or more violations: 7

Highest Routine Inspection Violation Totals

AJI Ramen & Sushi — Lynchburg (36 violations)

AJI Ramen & Sushi recorded the week's—and the highest Lynchburg Agenda has reported—violation total during a routine inspection.

Inspectors cited numerous violations involving employee handwashing, cross-contamination risks, moldy food, improper cold holding and date marking, inadequate sanitizing, unlabeled food containers, improperly stored chemicals, missing parasite-destruction records, uncovered food, equipment cleanliness and multiple facility maintenance concerns.

Several violations were corrected during the inspection, including discarding moldy food, relocating chemicals, restoring sanitizer concentrations, properly storing foods and improving employee practices. Other maintenance and operational issues will require corrective action and follow-up by management.

Brauburgers Craft Burgers & Beer — Forest (10 violations)

Brauburgers Craft Burgers & Beer received 10 violations during its routine inspection.

Inspectors cited improper employee hygiene practices, food-contact surface cleanliness, temperature control, sanitizer issues, date marking, food storage practices and several facility maintenance concerns.

Several violations were corrected during the inspection, while remaining sanitation and maintenance items are expected to be addressed by management.

Pino's Italian Restaurant — Appomattox (8 violations)

Pino's Italian Restaurant received eight violations during its routine inspection.

Inspectors observed the absence of a certified food protection manager, missing handwashing signage, an employee drinking from an open cup while washing dishes, buildup inside the ice machine, expired spinach, improperly stored medications and personal items, wet wiping cloths left throughout the kitchen and damaged food-contact equipment.

Several issues were corrected during the inspection, including discarding expired food, relocating medications and personal items, and addressing wiping cloth storage. Management stated damaged equipment will be replaced and certification obtained.

Mikado Express — Lynchburg (7 violations)

Mikado Express received seven violations during its routine inspection.

Inspectors found food waste in a hand sink, improper reheating of rice, mislabeled food containers, gaps beneath an exterior door that could allow pests, uncovered foods in refrigeration, ice buildup inside a freezer and a dumpster missing its drain plug.

Several violations were corrected during the inspection, including reheating rice to the proper temperature, labeling food containers and covering stored foods. Additional maintenance items are expected to be completed by management.

Zero-Violation Routine Inspections

The following establishments completed routine inspections without any violations:

• Ms Tina's Off the Hook — Lynchburg
• Thomas Road Outpost — Bedford
• Wendy's – Wards Road — Lynchburg

Routine Inspection Results

Thirty-Six Violations

• AJI Ramen & Sushi — Lynchburg

Ten Violations

• Brauburgers Craft Burgers & Beer — Forest

Eight Violations

• Pino's Italian Restaurant — Appomattox

Seven Violations

• Mikado Express — Lynchburg

Six Violations

• China Tastes — Bedford
• Fleming Mountain Grill — Lynchburg

Five Violations

• Magnolia Foods — Lynchburg

Four Violations

• Caterpillar Clubhouse #2 — Lynchburg

Three Violations

• The Sweet Retreat — Huddleston
• Burger King #1227 — Lynchburg
• Pizza Hut — Appomattox

Two Violations

• Chick-fil-A Timberlake — Lynchburg
• Hot & Cold Cafe — Lynchburg
• Pointe Pizza — Huddleston
• Holiday Lake 4-H Center Dining Hall — Appomattox
• Old Dominion Job Corps — Monroe
• Crossroads Camp & Conference Center — Lowesville
• 68 Bubble Tea — Lynchburg

One Violation

• Cafe Monte Bello — Lynchburg
• Porter House Catering Mobile Unit — Bedford

Additional Inspections

Follow-Up Inspections

The following establishments received follow-up inspections during the reporting period:

• Acorn Hill Restaurant — Lynchburg
• Bedford Country Club — Bedford
• Bruno's Clubhouse Bistro — Huddleston
• Charley's Restaurant — Lynchburg
• Domino's #8085 — Lynchburg
• London Downs Golf Club — Forest
• MJ's Grill & Bar — Bedford
• Mizumi Japanese Bistro — Lynchburg
• Nautical Bowls — Lynchburg
• The Upper Crust Pizza Company Mobile Unit — Lynchburg
• V & T Cafe and Grill — Forest

Pre-Opening Inspections

Inspectors completed pre-opening inspections at:

• Bacon St. Bagels — Lynchburg
• El Habanero Mexicano Mobile Food Unit — Lynchburg
• Split Rail Ice Cream & Treats Mobile Unit — Bedford

Other Inspections

Inspectors completed other inspections at:

• All American — Vinton
• Beacon Pub — Moneta
• La Rue Pomme – Caribbean Taste — Lynchburg
• Mitchell's — Huddleston (two inspections)
• R & R Drug Store Grill — Brookneal
• Taqueria "La Tradicional" — Lynchburg
• Thomas Road Outpost – New Kitchen — Bedford

Training Inspection

Inspectors completed a training inspection at:

• Inka Grill — Lynchburg

Inspection reports are snapshots in time and may not reflect conditions after the inspection. Most violations are corrected during or shortly after an inspection. The Virginia Department of Health conducts follow-up inspections as needed to verify compliance.