Bandidos Leads Greater Lynchburg Food Inspections with 15 Violations

Health inspectors documented 100 violations across 27 routine and risk-factor inspections Oct. 20–26. Bandidos, Waffle House and China Wall recorded the highest totals, while three establishments had no violations.

LYNCHBURG, Va. — Bandidos in Lynchburg recorded 15 health inspection violations during the Oct. 20–26 reporting period, the most among the 27 restaurants, schools, lodging facilities and other food-service operations reviewed by Lynchburg Agenda.

Waffle House on Forest Road followed with 11 violations, including seven identified as repeat violations. China Wall in Madison Heights recorded 10 violations, including a finding involving tofu contaminated by a dead fruit fly.

According to Virginia Department of Health inspection reports, the 27 establishments received a combined 100 violations, with 64 marked corrected on-site. Inspectors identified 18 repeat violations.

Three establishments had no violations.

The inspections covered Lynchburg and surrounding communities, including Forest, Madison Heights, Bedford, Montvale, Altavista and Evington.

By the Numbers

The totals reflect the 27 routine and risk-factor inspection reports provided for this review. Pre-opening and follow-up inspections are excluded. An earlier inspection list indicated 28 qualifying reports, so one report remains unaccounted for.

Establishments with the Most Violations

Bandidos — 15 violations

110 Morning Glory Court, Suite A, Lynchburg | Oct. 22

Bandidos recorded the week's highest violation count. Inspectors documented concerns involving management oversight, employee handwashing, food storage, sanitation and temperature controls.

An employee handled raw chicken and then tortillas without properly washing their hands. Inspectors also found moldy rice and pineapple, spoiled mushrooms, improperly stored raw meats and problems involving the reheating of queso and cooling of beans.

Other findings included expired or improperly dated food, dirty equipment and personal belongings stored in food preparation areas.

Eleven violations were corrected on-site. A follow-up inspection was scheduled for Nov. 2.

Waffle House #2322 — 11 violations

17678 Forest Road, Forest | Oct. 20

Waffle House recorded 11 violations, seven of which were identified as repeat violations.

Findings included improper handwashing, glove use that could lead to cross-contamination, inadequate dishwashing sanitation, improperly refrigerated food and inconsistent sanitizer concentrations.

Inspectors measured ham at 47°F and waffle batter at 50°F, above the required maximum cold-holding temperature of 41°F.

Eight violations were corrected on-site. A follow-up inspection was requested within 10 days.

China Wall of PFWX — 10 violations

302 Amelon Square, Madison Heights | Oct. 23

Inspectors documented 10 violations, including three repeat violations.

Among the findings were a blocked handwashing sink, tofu contaminated by a dead fruit fly, improper storage of raw animal products, uncovered food and vegetables stored on the floor.

Inspectors also cited dirty equipment, grease buildup on ventilation filters and the reuse of cardboard boxes previously used to hold raw chicken.

Two violations were corrected on-site. A follow-up inspection was planned within two weeks.

Inka Grill — 8 violations

912 Main Street, Lynchburg | Oct. 22

Inspectors cited employees for washing and reusing disposable gloves and found a dishwashing machine with no detectable sanitizer concentration.

Other violations involved improperly refrigerated octopus, shrimp and potatoes, an unauthorized rodent repellent spray, missing equipment and food labeling issues.

Four violations were corrected on-site. Two were repeat violations.

Mikado Express — 7 violations

3028 Memorial Avenue, Lynchburg | Oct. 26

Violations included improperly stored raw eggs, dirty utensils and equipment, inadequate food labeling and a missing consumer advisory for raw sushi fish.

Inspectors also identified a gap beneath a door that could allow pests to enter.

Four violations were corrected on-site, and two were repeat violations.

Reber Thomas Mongolian Grill, Burgers, Sushi & Chopsticks — 6 violations

1971 University Boulevard, Lynchburg | Oct. 23

Inspectors identified problems involving employee beverages, food temperatures, improperly labeled containers, unwashed lemons and utensils stored on an unclean cart.

Five violations were corrected on-site. Two were repeat violations.

Other establishments with violations

Among the additional findings:

Quality Suites – Continental Breakfast in Altavista was cited for improper food sanitation practices, inadequate hot holding of boiled eggs and disposable supplies stored on the floor. Inspectors also observed food debris, a live spider and mouse droppings behind a refrigerator. Three of four violations were corrected on-site.

Phillin Philly in Lynchburg was cited after refrigerated Philly beef measured 46°F and chicken measured 50°F. Both were discarded during the inspection. The establishment also lacked a thermometer in a preparation refrigerator and had personal items stored near food-service supplies.

Cardinal Senior Communities in Bedford was cited for a food thermometer with dried residue and deli turkey kept beyond the permitted seven-day refrigerated storage period. Both violations were corrected on-site.

Lynchburg Health & Rehabilitation Center received three violations during a risk-factor inspection, including inadequate handwashing and dish sanitizing procedures. All three were corrected on-site.

Three establishments record no violations

The following establishments had no violations during their inspections:

• Chipotle Mexican Grill, 4780 S. Amherst Highway, Madison Heights — Oct. 21. The inspector specifically noted good active managerial control.
• Timberlake Tavern, 439 Timberlake Drive, Lynchburg — Oct. 26. The inspection was associated with a change of ownership and commissary operations.
• Hot-Diggity-Dogs Mobile Unit, 461 Hunters Mill Lane, Evington — Oct. 26. The mobile unit was not operating at the time of inspection.

School food-service inspections

Three schools were inspected during the reporting period.

Linkhorne Middle School and Linkhorne Elementary School each received one violation involving dented canned food products. The affected products were discarded during the inspections.

Bedford Primary School received two violations involving a missing covered restroom trash can and open dumpster lids. The dumpster lids were closed during the inspection, while management was instructed to obtain a covered trash can.

No food-temperature violations were documented at the three schools.

What the inspection results mean

Virginia health inspectors evaluate food establishments for compliance with state food safety regulations, including proper food temperatures, employee hygiene, sanitation, storage practices and facility maintenance.

A violation marked corrected on-site (COS) means the inspector documented that the issue was addressed during the inspection. A repeat violation (R) indicates that the same regulatory requirement had been cited previously.

Violation counts alone do not necessarily indicate the overall safety of an establishment. Some findings involve immediate food safety concerns, while others relate to equipment maintenance, labeling or facility conditions.

Inspection reports represent conditions observed at the time of the visit and may not reflect subsequent corrections.

Source: Virginia Department of Health — Central Virginia food establishment inspections