Most Food establishments earn passing marks

Bojangles in Rustburg posts the week’s highest violations count

The Central Virginia Health District conducted another active week of inspections across Greater Lynchburg from May 12–18, including routine inspections, follow-ups, and pre-opening visits throughout Lynchburg, Rustburg, Forest, Bedford County, and surrounding communities.

Most establishments again landed in the low-to-moderate violation range, though one Rustburg fast-food location generated a lengthy report tied primarily to temperature control, handwashing accessibility, pest activity, and equipment maintenance concerns.

📊 Weekly Summary
Total Routine Inspections: 21
Zero Violations: Two
Highest Violation Total: Bojangles — Rustburg

✅ Zero Violations

Two establishments recorded perfect routine inspections this week, continuing a strong trend seen throughout the region in recent months.

Low Violation Totals (1–4)

A number of establishments posted only minor violations tied largely to labeling, maintenance, or sanitation documentation.

Moderate Violation Totals (5–8)

Several restaurants and food-service operations landed in the middle range this week, with temperature-control and facility maintenance concerns continuing to be the most common issues cited by inspectors.

🔴 Highest Violation Total This Week

Bojangles — Rustburg

1755 Calohan Road
Inspection Date: May 13
Purpose: Routine

Bojangles in Rustburg generated the week’s most extensive inspection report after inspectors documented multiple hot- and cold-holding temperature violations, missing handwashing supplies, pest activity, equipment issues, and sanitation concerns.

Inspectors observed several food items being improperly hot held below the required 135-degree threshold, including grilled chicken, sausage gravy, country fried steak, fried chicken, and chicken tenders. Temperatures ranged from 96°F to 128°F in multiple warming units. Raw chicken and raw chicken batter also were found improperly cold holding at unsafe temperatures of 50°F and 64°F. Management voluntarily discarded affected products during the inspection.

Additional concerns included missing soap and paper towels at multiple handwashing sinks, ants and drain flies observed throughout portions of the facility, deteriorating refrigeration gaskets, grease accumulation beneath fryers, an unlabeled chemical spray bottle, and an improperly functioning prep cooler measuring 62°F internally before being reset during the inspection.

Inspectors also discussed pest-control follow-up, employee health policies, sanitizer testing procedures, and the requirement that inspection reports or QR codes remain visible to customers.

Mi Patron — Bedford

Violations: 8 (May 13)

Mi Patron in Bedford received multiple violations during a routine inspection tied primarily to food storage practices, sanitation, labeling, and facility maintenance concerns.

Inspectors observed several instances of improper raw food storage, including raw chicken, steak, seafood, and eggs stored above ready-to-eat items such as vegetables, sauces, and cooked foods in multiple coolers throughout the kitchen. Staff reorganized the items during the inspection and were provided additional food-storage guidance in both English and Spanish.

Additional violations included mold-like buildup inside the ice machine, residue inside a beverage nozzle at the bar, missing date labels on prepared foods, unlabeled chemical spray bottles, wet-stacked food containers coming directly from the dish machine, and gaps beneath counters that could allow pest entry.

Inspectors also discussed employee health policies, handwashing procedures, consumer advisory language, and food-handling practices with management during the visit.

Weekly Takeaway

This week’s inspections across Greater Lynchburg continued a trend seen throughout much of the spring — most establishments posted relatively low violation totals, while the more significant reports centered largely around temperature control, sanitation practices, food storage, and facility maintenance.

Bojangles in Rustburg generated the week’s most extensive inspection after inspectors documented multiple hot- and cold-holding violations, missing handwashing supplies, pest activity, and equipment concerns. Mi Patron in Bedford also drew attention for improper raw food storage, sanitation buildup inside equipment, and labeling deficiencies.

As has consistently been the case in recent weeks, many of the higher-point inspections involved issues that inspectors corrected on site or discussed directly with management during the visit. Several establishments also earned near-perfect inspections, reinforcing that the overall regional trend remains relatively steady despite a handful of elevated reports.