Behind the Kitchen Door

INSPECTION ROUNDUP: Local Food Establishments Mostly Pass, but a Few Missed the Mark

The latest round of health inspections from July 22–25 found most Lynchburg-area food establishments meeting expected health and safety standards. Six establishments earned perfect scores, many had a few violations observed while a few others had a large number of violations obsered..

Spotless Standouts

Among those with zero violations were Caterpillar Clubhouse locations on LeRoy Bowen Drive and Leesville Road, Elizabeth's Early Learning Center on Bedford Avenue, William Marvin Bass School, Starbucks inside Kroger on Timberlake, and popular spots like The Cooking Mommas in Blue Ridge and The Summit Lynchburg Cafe.

Minor Violations, Quick Fixes

Several eateries had only a single violation, including Jojo Pizza on Lakeside Drive, Dish on Main Street, and the historic Virginian Hotel Banquet space on Church Street. These are often minor infractions and typically corrected during inspection.

Follow-Ups and Mobiles

McDonald’s #11660 underwent a follow-up inspection on Forest Road, and several mobile or non-traditional units—like Domino’s Mobile, Dog On It Mobile Unit #2, and The Bedford Columns—were also reviewed under other inspection categories.

Moderate to High Numbers of Violations Observed

On the higher end of the violation scale:

• Mi Patron on Boonsboro Road and H and H Restaurant in Big Island each received six violations.
• Hardee’s #2025 on Forest Road had eight.
• Applebee’s on Candler’s Mountain Road was cited for ten.
• The biggest concern this cycle: Express Lane #16 on Waterlick Road received 14 violations in a routine inspection.

Express Lane on Waterlick Flagged for 14 Violations in Routine Inspection

A recent routine health inspection conducted on July 24 revealed fourteen violations observed at Express Lane #16, a convenience store and food service operation located at 2364 Waterlick Road in Lynchburg. With 14 violations, it was the most cited establishment in this week’s inspection report from the Central Virginia Department of Health.

Among the concerns was the lack of a certified food protection manager on staff, a basic requirement for all food service operations. Additionally, employees were observed handling phones and then preparing food without washing hands, a violation of hygiene standards that heightens the risk of foodborne illness.

Temperature control was also a repeated issue. Inspectors noted cold food items like elbow macaroni and sliced tomatoes in the reach-in cooler were above the safety threshold of 41°F. Some of these items had to be discarded. Dated food, such as nacho cheese labeled from July 15, was found beyond its allowable usage period and required disposal.

Sanitation lapses were present. Spray bottles containing unidentified chemicals were unlabeled, and deli ham was stored in standing water, an improper practice that could lead to contamination. Inspectors observed flies throughout the establishment, including near rotting onions and under equipment. These conditions prompted a recommendation for routine pest control services.

Additional issues ranged from expired sanitizer test strips to grease buildup on kitchen equipment, foul odors in the walk-in cooler, and a lobby floor in need of deep cleaning. Some minor corrections were made on the spot, such as covering crockpots of chili and adjusting the length of a creamer machine’s dispensing tube.

Though some hot food items were found at safe temperatures—like chili at 175°F and peas at 160°F—the overall findings indicate a need for a comprehensive deep clean and stricter adherence to basic food safety practices. The manager indicated a desire to bring in a professional cleaning service and received a sample routine cleaning schedule from the health department.

As a permitted establishment, Express Lane #16 remains open but will undergo a follow up to ensure improvements are made.

Applebee’s on Candler’s Mountain Cited for Multiple Repeat Violations in Health Inspection

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar at 3624 Candler’s Mountain Road received a mixed review during a July 25 routine health inspection, with 10 violations, including several repeat issues related to cleanliness, food safety, and kitchen maintenance.

One of the violations involved an employee handling raw hamburger, touching seasoning containers, and then putting on gloves to prepare ready-to-eat food without washing hands first. The inspector intervened, requiring proper handwashing before food prep continued—a vital step in preventing cross-contamination.

Improper food storage temperatures were also a concern. Items like whipped butter, cole slaw, chocolate milk, and house-made ranch were found above the safety threshold of 41°F in a server cooler reading 53°F. Management opted to cool the affected foods for use within five hours rather than discard them, as permitted under health code guidelines.

The inspection uncovered inappropriate thawing practices, as ribs were found defrosting under hot running water—a method strictly prohibited. Staff were educated on approved thawing methods, and corrective action was taken immediately.

Inspectors also flagged unsanitary kitchen equipment and infrastructure. Cutting boards were found deeply scored and stained, making them impossible to clean properly. The dishwasher exterior was very dirty, and its temperature gauges were unreadable due to worn-out dials—raising concerns about whether the machine could reliably sanitize customer dishware. The repair vendor had been notified, but no documentation was available at the time of inspection.

The kitchen’s overall cleanliness was another area of concern. Food debris, grease, and grime were observed throughout the facility, including behind the fryer, dish machine, and under cold holding units. Damaged floor tiles—over 15 noted—were scattered throughout the kitchen, bar, and walk-in areas. Many of these facility issues had been cited in previous inspections more than a year ago, raising red flags about follow-through.

Management was instructed to undertake a deep clean, institute a daily cleaning schedule, and ensure all repairs are completed within 90 days. A follow-up inspection is scheduled for July 29–30 to verify progress.

Despite the violations, the restaurant remained permitted to operate. Health officials acknowledged the presence of a certified food manager and noted compliance with employee health policies and proper hot food temperatures.

Hardee’s in Forest Receives Eight Violations in Health Inspection, Including Facility Maintenance Concerns

The Hardee’s restaurant located at 17051 Forest Road in Forest was cited for eight violations during a routine health inspection on July 23, with issues ranging from hygiene oversights to facility maintenance problems. While no immediate public health threat was identified, several corrective actions were necessary to ensure continued compliance.

Two violations related to handwashing protocols raised red flags. An employee was observed dumping ice into a hand sink—a sink meant exclusively for handwashing. Another hand sink lacked soap entirely, a basic requirement to maintain sanitary conditions in any food prep area. Both issues were promptly corrected on-site after being brought to the attention of the manager.

Cleanliness of equipment also came under scrutiny. Dark mildew-like buildup was found in the drive-thru soda machine nozzles, prompting a deep cleaning. Inspectors emphasized that nozzles must be cleaned daily to prevent contamination of customer beverages.

A labeling misstep resulted in a violation regarding time control for safety (TCS) foods. Vegetables on the prep line were not marked with accurate discard times, a critical measure for food safety. The staff corrected the labeling immediately after being advised.

Structural issues inside the restaurant contributed to multiple citations. A dripping drain line from the men’s restroom hand sink created an unsanitary condition, and bathroom caulking around both the men’s and women’s toilets was missing or deteriorating—hindering thorough cleaning of restroom floors. Additionally, mops were found stored in buckets instead of being properly air-dried due to broken mop rack holders. All maintenance issues were acknowledged and are expected to be addressed within 90 days.

The restaurant otherwise performed well in terms of food temperature control, with hot and cold items within safe ranges. Sausage gravy, egg sandwiches, and tater tots were all observed at or above 140°F, while walk-in coolers and prep refrigerators maintained appropriate cold storage.

Though most violations were corrected immediately or are on a path to resolution, the inspector underscored the need for more consistent staff training and proactive facility upkeep. Hardee’s remains permitted and operational, but follow-up inspections may be required to verify maintenance repairs and long-term compliance.

The full list of inspections and to view any establishment’s report see below.

Inspections July 21-25