Central Virginia Food Establishment Inspections: Nov. 17–24

The Central Virginia Health District has released its most recent food establishment inspection reports for the week of November 17–24, 2025. Dozens of facilities across the region were evaluated, with most earning strong marks for food safety compliance. Many restaurants, schools, and childcare centers logged zero violations, reflecting consistent sanitation practices and adherence to state food code.

However, several establishments posted higher violation totals this week — including one repeat offender — prompting follow-up inspections and corrective-action requirements.

Perfect Scores (0 Violations)

A large group of establishments earned perfect scores during routine inspections, reinforcing strong performance across the region. These included restaurants, coffee shops, schools, and childcare centers.

0 Violations:
Hueso Loco (Lynchburg)
Temperance Elementary (Amherst)
Amherst Elementary
Old Dominion Lodge #181 (Lynchburg)
Sheetz – Concord
Caterpillar Clubhouse (Rustburg)
Amherst County Middle
Five Star Academy (Lynchburg)
Central Elementary School (Amherst)
Lynchburg Coffee (Appomattox)
Runk & Pratt Willow Ridge
Rooted Coffee (221/Boonsboro corridor)
Elon Elementary (Madison Heights)
Joe Bean’s (Timberlake Rd)
West Side Deli (Timberlake Rd)

These facilities required no corrective actions.

Minor to Moderate Violations (1–5 Violations)

Most of the week’s findings fell into this range — issues typically involving labeling, utensil storage, equipment repair, or housekeeping.

1 Violation

Vincent Van Gogh Café
Mary Bethune Academy
Hutcherson Learning Center
Papa John’s Pizza #0242 – Timberlake Rd
Amelon Elementary School

2 Violations

Fort Hill Bowling Center
IHOP – Fort Ave

3 Violations

Mission House Coffee – Lakeside Dr
CAVA – Old Forest Rd
Virginia University of Lynchburg
Playa Bowls – Candlers Mountain

5 Violations

New Yamada of Forest
MAM 03 – Boonsboro Rd
County Smoak – Timberlake Rd
Hardee’s – Bedford

6–7 Violations

6 — Acorn Hill Restaurant
7 — La Carreta #8 – Rustburg
7 — Koreanz K-BBQ – Wards Rd

These violations were generally corrected on-site with no follow-up required.

Higher Violation Totals (8–24 Violations)

A handful of establishments recorded significantly elevated issues this week, demanding corrective action and, in some cases, return visits by inspectors.

8 Violations (Routine)

Express Lane #4 – Forest Rd
Super Tacos Inc. – Braxton Park Circle
East Express Inc. – Forest Rd

Inspection Spotlight: This Week’s Highest Violation Counts

La Carreta #6 – Forest (24 Violations)

La Carreta #6 recorded 24 violations, the highest total in Central Virginia this week and this year, with inspectors documenting widespread cross-contamination risks, poor labeling, inadequate temperature control, and multiple facility issues.

Major concerns centered on raw chicken handling, including raw poultry stored over other foods, contaminated utensils being reused, and an employee handling raw meat before touching vegetables without washing hands. A basin of shrimp was also found thawing improperly on the counter.

The restaurant lacked date-marking procedures, had no system for tracking time as a public health control for salsas, and was missing required employee health policy documentation. Additional violations included a non-sanitizing dish machine, produce not washed before cutting, knives placed in unclean equipment crevices, wiping cloths stored in aprons instead of sanitizer, and a bug-zapper located directly over a hot food well.

Structural issues included missing floor tiles, inadequate lighting protection, and the absence of a required backflow prevention device at the three-compartment sink. Several corrections were made during the inspection, with management agreeing to implement the remaining changes within 10 to 90 days.

Papa John’s – Old Forest Road (9 Violations)

Papa John’s Pizza #0454 logged nine violations, primarily tied to missing safety policies, sanitation problems, and general maintenance.

The location lacked a verifiable employee health policy and had no written clean-up procedure or bodily-fluid kit for vomit or diarrheal events. Inspectors also cited cross-contamination risks, noting multiple ingredient scoops stored with handles resting directly in food.

Several equipment and facility issues were documented, including a cracked cutting board, damaged sanitizer test strips, debris buildup on a rolling rack and in the walk-in cooler, a cracked cooler light cover, and wall paneling in the rear area that was bowed and shedding drywall debris. Employee jackets and a hat were also stored on a food-prep table.

Despite its violations, the restaurant maintained safe food temperatures throughout the inspection, and several on-site corrections were made immediately. Management reported that broader repairs are being scheduled.

Follow-Up Inspections

Follow-up inspections were conducted for establishments previously cited for concerns. These visits focus on verifying repairs, sanitation improvements, or corrected processes.

Follow-Up Conducted:
Ray’s Burgers & Grill – Bethany Church Cir
Mikado Express – Memorial Ave
Inka Grill – Main St
Fleming Mountain Grill – Lee Jackson Hwy
County Line Mini Mall & Café – Lynchburg Hwy
Ruby Tuesday – Bedford
7 Brew Coffee – Timberlake Rd

Most follow-up inspections resulted in documented improvements.

Other Inspection Types

Other (non-routine):
Subway – Foster Fuel
La Cocina De Las Catrachitas – Simsbury Ln
Patsy’s Catering – Appomattox

Pre-Opening:
Happy Lemon – Morning Glory Ct
(Approved ahead of service launch.)

Full Summary