Sizzling Summer Eats — and Health Scores to Match

Central Virginia Health District Food Establishment Inspections

According to the Central Virginia Health District, inspectors conducted 38 food establishment inspections between May 24-June 2. These included 25 routine inspections, 9 follow-ups, 3 Pre-Opening and 1 Other.

Six Establishments had Zero Violations

Here’s a quick breakdown of the remainder of the results:

• Three establishments had one violation.
• Four had two violations.
• Two had three violations.
• One had four violations.
• One had five violations.
• Four had six violations
• Lori's Italian Grill had 8, Hilton on Wards Road had 10, Logan's Roadhouse had 13 and Lola's Mexican Cuisine had 15.

All inspections reported for May 24-June 2:

The restaurants near the bottom to where there were no violations observed are due to the nature of the inspections including Follow-Up, Other, and Pre-Opening.

Lola's Mexican Cuisine 15 Violations

14805 Forest Rd 221 Forest

Lola’s Mexican Cuisine on Old Forest Road in Lynchburg received 15 violations during a routine inspection by the Central Virginia Health District on May 28.

Among the observations: an employee was seen eating at a food prep surface, and another handled raw beef before grabbing a clean container—without changing gloves or washing hands. Inspectors also cited the restaurant for raw shrimp stored above ready-to-eat items in the walk-in cooler, a repeat violation from previous inspections.

Additional findings included mold-like buildup on the internal door of the ice machine, toxic sprays improperly stored near food areas, and the use of a non-food-grade bucket for handling ice. Several food contact surfaces, such as porous stone blocks used for molcajete dishes and discolored rubber spatulas, were noted as not easily cleanable. The facility also lacked sanitizer test strips and had handwashing signage missing in key areas.

Employee personal items, including a purse on a prep table and medications stored with dry goods, were also flagged. The hood system had exposed, grease-covered components due to missing filters, which the inspector recommended cleaning ahead of schedule.

Despite the violations, food temperatures were within safe limits and the restaurant had certified food protection managers on duty. Lola’s remains permitted and was provided corrective guidance by the health department.

Logan's Roadhouse 13 Violations

4046 Wards Road

Logan’s Roadhouse on Wards Road in Lynchburg was cited for thirteen violations during a routine health inspection conducted by the Central Virginia Health District on May 29.

Among the findings: the restaurant’s dishwashing machine was found to be dispensing no detectable chlorine sanitizer, despite being hooked up to a chemical solution. Until repaired, staff were instructed to sanitize dishes using the three-compartment sink. The ice machine and bar drink nozzles also showed black mildew-like buildup, and multiple handwashing sinks were either blocked or missing paper towels—hindering employee hygiene.

Food storage temperatures were another concern. Items like ribs, chicken wings, spinach dip, and potato soup were found above safe cold-holding limits. In the warmer, chili beans and cooked onions were well below the required 135°F hot-holding threshold. Inspectors emphasized proper reheating procedures and advised placing cold foods on ice until cooler issues are resolved.

Additional violations included unlabeled spray bottles, missing thermometers in several coolers, uncovered food exposed to condensation, and a trash receptacle without a drain plug. A partial vomit/diarrhea cleanup policy was also flagged as incomplete.

Corrective actions were discussed with management during the inspection, and Logan’s remains permitted while addressing the cited issues.

Hilton Garden Inn 10 Violations

4025 Wards Rd.

The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant inside the Hilton Garden Inn on Wards Road in Lynchburg received ten violations following a routine health inspection on May 30, according to the Central Virginia Health District.

Inspectors found that several handwashing sinks lacked soap or paper towels, with one employee observed attempting to wash hands without soap. The manager explained the soap was on back order but was advised to temporarily use any pump-style hand soap to maintain compliance. The handwashing stations were restocked during the inspection.

Food storage practices also raised concerns. Opened cheese packages were found directly touching shelving and exposed to condensation inside a cooler, while multiple expired items—including chicken salad, tomato bisque, and carrots dating back to March and April—were found in both the walk-in and 2-door coolers. All expired and improperly stored items were discarded on-site.

In the dishwashing area, the high-temperature sanitizing machine was operating below the required 165°F until staff activated the booster pump. Additional violations included visibly soiled utensils, mixers, and prep surfaces; unclean shelving and floors behind equipment; and improperly stored mops left wet in buckets.

The restaurant remains permitted and addressed several issues immediately during the inspection. Further cleaning protocols and daily food item checks were recommended to ensure ongoing compliance.

Lori's Italian Grill 8 Violations

1208 Perrowville Rd Suite G Forest

Lori’s Italian Grill in Forest received eight violations observed during a routine inspection on May 30 by the Central Virginia Health District. Many were corrected during the visit, but some were noted as repeat issues.

Among the more serious observations: employee beverages in screw-top bottles were found near active food prep areas and food contact surfaces—posing a contamination risk. Raw shell eggs were stored above sliced cheese and uncovered lemons in the walk-in cooler, a repeat violation that was corrected on-site. Inspectors also found no date-marking system in place for several house-made food items such as pasta, cheese, sauces, and cut vegetables. All were being held without clear discard dates, in violation of the 7-day freshness rule.

Other violations included the back door being left open without pest protection, wet wiping cloths stored on counters instead of in sanitizer solution, and a heavily scratched cutting board no longer deemed cleanable. In addition, broken cooler handles and dirty gaskets and shelving were noted in multiple cold holding units, and the facility was instructed to improve its deep cleaning routine.

Inspectors also reminded staff not to use the same utensils for raw and ready-to-eat items, to properly label squirt bottles, and to ensure that thermometers are in place in all coolers. The restaurant remains permitted and made several immediate corrections during the inspection.

Learn More About Health Department Inspection Articles

If you choose to dive into the details of these listings, please read "Restaurant Health Inspections: What You Can Learn Before Dining Out in Greater Lynchburg," dated May 21, 2024. This story outlines the details of local Health Department Inspections and the results of those reports.