New London Steakhouse Records Week's Highest Violation Total During Greater Lynchburg Food Establishment Inspections

New London Steakhouse records the week's highest violation total as every routine inspection during the reporting period includes at least one violation.

The Central Virginia Health District conducted 20 routine food inspections across Greater Lynchburg during the July 28–Aug. 3 reporting period. Inspectors also completed eight follow-up inspections, four other inspections and three pre-opening inspections during the week.

Unlike several recent reporting periods, none of the establishments undergoing routine inspections completed the week without a violation. The overall totals, however, were considerably lower than the extraordinary 36 violations recorded at AJI Ramen & Sushi the previous week.

Among routine inspections, New London Steakhouse in Forest recorded the week's highest violation total with 11, followed by Lago Pizza in Moneta with seven, The Virginian Hotel Banquet Kitchen in Lynchburg with six, and Bedford Moose Lodge #1897 and Benny Soldatos in Bedford with five violations each.

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.

📊 Routine Inspection Summary

Routine inspections: 20

Zero-violation routine inspections: 0

Highest violation total: 11

Establishments with five or more violations: 5

Highest Routine Inspection Violation Totals

New London Steakhouse — Forest (11 violations)

New London Steakhouse recorded the week's highest violation total during its routine inspection.

Inspectors cited violations involving bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food, mold-like growth on shredded cheese, spoiled milk, raw chicken stored above ready-to-eat food, improper hot and cold holding temperatures, date-marking problems, uncovered foods, unwashed mushrooms, improper ice-scoop storage and a refrigeration unit that was unable to maintain proper temperatures.

Several issues were corrected during the inspection. Food containing mold-like growth and spoiled milk was discarded, raw chicken was relocated, improperly held foods were discarded or reheated, mushrooms were washed and the ice scoop was removed for cleaning. The malfunctioning refrigeration unit was to be repaired, with a follow-up planned by inspectors.

Lago Pizza Inc. — Moneta (7 violations)

Lago Pizza received seven violations during its routine inspection.

Inspectors found no paper towels at a kitchen hand sink, food residue buildup on a can opener, a sanitizer bucket registering 0 ppm, uncovered pizza sauce, a used mop stored improperly, significant grease and dust buildup around the hood system and inadequate lighting around the grill and fryer area.

Several issues were corrected during the inspection, including removing the can opener for cleaning, restoring sanitizer to the proper concentration, covering the pizza sauce and changing how the mop was stored. Maintenance and lighting concerns were expected to be addressed by management.

The Virginian Hotel Banquet Kitchen — Lynchburg (6 violations)

The Virginian Hotel Banquet Kitchen received six violations during its routine inspection.

Inspectors cited a dish machine operating below required temperatures, improper date marking of ready-to-eat foods, unlabeled bulk food containers, food stored directly on the floor, debris buildup on the dish machine spray wand and grease and food debris in stove catch pans.

Management was instructed to restore proper dish-machine temperatures, properly label and date food, move food at least six inches above the floor and improve cleaning of equipment.

Bedford Moose Lodge #1897 — Bedford (5 violations)

Bedford Moose Lodge #1897 received five violations during its routine inspection.

Inspectors found the establishment did not have an active certified food protection manager, raw hamburger stored above ready-to-eat foods, a heavily scratched cutting board, no sanitizer testing strips and a dish machine that was not reaching the temperature necessary to properly sanitize dishes.

The raw hamburger was relocated during the inspection. Management told inspectors it planned to obtain food manager certification and the necessary sanitizer test strips and would repair or replace equipment as needed. Until the dish machine could be repaired or replaced, dishes were to be sanitized using the three-compartment sink.

Benny Soldatos — Bedford (5 violations)

Benny Soldatos received five violations during its routine inspection.

Inspectors found sanitizer at the three-compartment sink registering 0 ppm, an overly concentrated bleach solution, two unlabeled chemical bottles, no available food thermometer and several damaged plastic food-container lids that were being reused.

Several violations were corrected during the inspection. The sanitizer solution was remixed to the proper concentration, bleach was diluted, chemical bottles were labeled and damaged lids were discarded and replaced. Management was asked to obtain a food thermometer.

Zero-Violation Routine Inspections

No establishments completed a routine inspection without a violation during this reporting period.

Routine Inspection Results

Eleven Violations

• New London Steakhouse — Forest

Seven Violations

• Lago Pizza Inc. — Moneta

Six Violations

• The Virginian Hotel Banquet Kitchen — Lynchburg

Five Violations

• Bedford Moose Lodge #1897 — Bedford
• Benny Soldatos — Bedford

Four Violations

• Tiff's — Huddleston
• Joy Juice — Madison Heights

Three Violations

• Apple Market #511/Subway — Moneta
• Riverside Roasters – Lynchburg General Hospital — Lynchburg

Two Violations

• Subway #3349 — Lynchburg
• Heritage Green-Fields — Lynchburg
• Heritage Green Daybreak — Lynchburg
• Slow Smoke Bistro — Lynchburg
• Sonic #6513 — Bedford
• La Casa Toscana — Moneta
• Rincon Venezolano 2 — Lynchburg
• McDonald's #03762 — Lynchburg

One Violation

• Joe Bean's Coffee Wards Rd — Lynchburg
• Wing Stop — Lynchburg
• Waffle House #2409 — Madison Heights

Additional Inspections

Follow-Up Inspections

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

• Bacon St. Bagels — Lynchburg
• Brauburgers Craft Burgers & Beer — Forest
• Caterpillar Clubhouse #2 — Lynchburg
• Fleming Mountain Grill — Lynchburg
• Olive Garden Italian Restaurant #1615 — Lynchburg
• Pizzeria Alessandro & Grilled — Huddleston
• The Elms of Lynchburg — Lynchburg
• Wandering Donut 2 — Forest

Pre-Opening Inspections

Inspectors completed pre-opening inspections at:

• Bandidos — Lynchburg
• Dave's Hot Chicken #1506 — Lynchburg
• Friends Catering LLC — Lynchburg

Other Inspections

Inspectors completed other inspections at:

• AJI Ramen & Sushi — Lynchburg
• First Watch — Lynchburg
• Holiday Lake 4-H Center – Dining Hall — Appomattox
• Rincon Venezolano — Lynchburg (listed as business closed)

Inspection reports are snapshots in time and may not reflect conditions after the inspection. Most violations are corrected during or shortly after an inspection. The Virginia Department of Health conducts follow-up inspections as needed to verify compliance.