Greater Lynchburg Food Establishment Health Inspections

Golden China records the week's highest violation total with nine, while two establishments complete routine inspections without a violation.

The Central Virginia Health District conducted 42 food inspections across Greater Lynchburg during the Aug. 11–17 reporting period, including 16 routine inspections that resulted in 62 violations. Sixteen follow-up inspections, seven pre-opening inspections and three other inspections were also completed.

Golden China in Appomattox recorded the week's highest violation total with nine, followed by Choice Hibachi Grill in Lynchburg and MAM 03 in Lynchburg with eight each, First XI Coffee in Bedford and Taqueria Elizabeth in Lynchburg with seven each, Koto Japanese Steakhouse in Lynchburg with six and East Express Inc. in Forest with five.

Two establishments completed routine inspections without a violation: Bahama Sno Shack Mobile Unit in Forest and Williams Home Inc. in Lynchburg.

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.

📊 Weekly Inspection Summary

Total inspections: 42
Routine inspections: 16
Follow-up inspections: 16
Pre-opening inspections: 7
Other inspections: 3
Total routine-inspection violations: 62
Zero-violation routine inspections: 2
Highest routine violation total: 9
Establishments with seven or more violations: 5

Highest Routine Inspection Violation Totals

Golden China — Appomattox (9 violations)

Golden China recorded the week's highest violation total during its routine inspection.

Inspectors found raw shrimp stored above onions and cooked meat in the walk-in cooler and a container of raw chicken sitting in a container of carrots. The raw foods were relocated during the inspection.

Other food-protection issues included mold or mildew buildup on the ice machine's deflector plate, uncovered sauces, cooked meats, raw meats, egg rolls and produce in the walk-in cooler, and boxes of cabbage and raw chicken stored directly on the floor.

Inspectors also found two "Roach Motel" sticky traps on a prep table, wet containers stacked before they had air-dried, buildup on rice cookers and refrigeration racks, food debris on equipment and grease beneath the wok line.

Facility-maintenance issues included stained ceiling tiles and missing grout and coving near the walk-in freezer. The inspector noted that the establishment demonstrated good temperature control of TCS foods.

Choice Hibachi Grill — Lynchburg (8 violations)

Choice Hibachi Grill received eight violations during its routine inspection.

Inspectors found employee food and beverages stored above food intended for customers and raw eggs stored above unwashed produce. Both issues were corrected during the inspection.

The establishment was also using time rather than temperature to control sushi rice and roast beef without having the required written procedure available. Because roast beef was served undercooked, the restaurant was directed to provide the required consumer advisory, which was created and posted during the inspection.

Other findings included unlabeled containers of dry foods and sauces, potatoes being washed after peeling rather than before, cups without handles being used as scoops and left inside sauces, and a plumbing backflow issue involving a hose near the dish machine.

Several violations were corrected while the inspector was present.

MAM 03 — Lynchburg (8 violations)

MAM 03 received eight violations during its routine inspection, including several involving temperature control and sanitization.

Inspectors found fried potatoes in a steam table measuring as low as 114°F, below the required 135°F hot-holding temperature. The potatoes were reheated to 180°F.

Several cold-held foods were also above required temperatures. Tomatoes in an ice bath measured 75°F, spinach 73°F and shredded cheese 66°F. Additional foods in refrigeration measured between 42°F and 44°F. Foods in the ice bath that did not return to proper temperatures were discarded.

Inspectors also found spatulas used to stir or chop raw eggs being used to plate ready-to-eat foods. Employees began using separate utensils during the inspection.

The dish machine initially produced only 10 ppm chlorine sanitizer. After corrective action, it measured 50 ppm. Other violations involved employee-health documentation and two issues involving the restaurant's dumpsters.

The inspector cited concerns about managerial oversight and scheduled a follow-up inspection for Aug. 25.

First XI Coffee — Bedford (7 violations)

First XI Coffee received seven violations during its routine inspection.

Inspectors found that none of the hand sinks were producing hot water, while water at the three-compartment sink measured only 76°F. Management said the hot-water heater appeared to be malfunctioning and would be repaired within 10 days. Until then, the establishment planned to use hot water from its coffee equipment to bring dishwashing water above the required temperature.

Chlorine sanitizer concentrations exceeded 200 ppm in both the three-compartment sink and a cleaning spray bottle. The solutions were diluted to appropriate levels during the inspection. An unlabeled spray bottle containing bleach solution was also labeled.

Other violations involved the lack of a small-diameter probe thermometer for checking cooked foods, broken thermometers in two barista refrigerators and a mop sink blocked by stored items.

Taqueria Elizabeth — Lynchburg (7 violations)

Taqueria Elizabeth received seven violations during its routine inspection.

Inspectors found the hand sink filled with lids, containers and pots and without paper towels. Employees removed the items and restocked the towels. The report also noted that the hand sink had been turned off at the start of the inspection and, once used, would not properly drain.

Temperature control was another concern. Sour cream in a reach-in refrigerator measured 61°F and refried beans measured 54°F, both above the required cold-holding temperature of 41°F or below. The foods were discarded, the refrigerator was adjusted to a colder setting and employees were instructed not to use it until it could maintain proper temperatures.

Inspectors also observed several flies inside the food truck and noted that the front service window was open without a screen. An employee closed the window.

Other violations included food debris inside a prep-unit cooler and a black substance on the walls and ceiling of the trailer. The hood system had not been serviced since April 2025. The establishment was directed to have the system serviced and clean the walls and ceiling.

Zero-Violation Routine Inspections

The following establishments completed routine inspections without a violation:

• Bahama Sno Shack Mobile Unit — Forest
• Williams Home Inc. — Lynchburg

Routine Inspection Results

Nine Violations

• Golden China — Appomattox

Eight Violations

• Choice Hibachi Grill — Lynchburg
• MAM 03 — Lynchburg

Seven Violations

• First XI Coffee — Bedford
• Taqueria Elizabeth — Lynchburg

Six Violations

• Koto Japanese Steakhouse — Lynchburg

Five Violations

• East Express Inc. — Forest

Three Violations

• Paragon Tea Company — Lynchburg

Two Violations

• Hilton Garden Inn — Lynchburg
• Super 8 Bedford — Bedford
• Electric Blue Eatery — Bedford

One Violation

• Amelon Early Learning Ctr — Madison Heights
• McDonald's #7305 — Lynchburg
• MG @ Virginia Center of Cultural Arts — Amherst

Zero Violations

• Bahama Sno Shack Mobile Unit — Forest
• Williams Home Inc. — Lynchburg

Additional Inspections

Follow-Up Inspections

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

• The Virginian Hotel Banquet Kitchen — Lynchburg
• Jukebox Soda Co. at River Ridge Mall — Lynchburg
• Subway #20973 — Rustburg
• Papa Gallo — Lynchburg
• Bojangles — Rustburg
• The Original Dahlia — Lynchburg
• Subway — Appomattox
• Jubilee Family Development Center — Lynchburg
• The Pita Company — Bedford
• Joe Bean's – Bedford — Bedford
• Wendy's – Bedford — Bedford
• New London Steakhouse — Forest
• Dale's Diner — Montvale
• AMF Lynchburg Lanes — Lynchburg
• Benny Soldatos — Bedford
• La Carreta #6 — Forest

Pre-Opening Inspections

Inspectors completed pre-opening inspections at:

• School Of Business — Lynchburg
• Dunkin Donuts — Lynchburg
• Westminster Canterbury of Lynchburg-Mobile Kitchen — Lynchburg
• Margie's Coffee Spot — Moneta
• Bright Stars Academy — Lynchburg
• Viva Espresso Bar, LLC — Rustburg
• Champs — Lynchburg

Other Inspections

Inspectors completed other inspections at:

• Dave's Hot Chicken #1506 — Lynchburg
• La Carreta #3 — Lynchburg
• First Watch — Lynchburg

That gives us 26 additional inspections: 16 follow-up, seven pre-opening and three other inspections, in addition to the 16 routine inspections.

Total inspections included in the Aug. 11–17 reporting period: 42.