Insects, low inspection score: Lexington restaurant closed by health department

Two food service establishments were closed by the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department so far in August, one improper food temperature control and the other for insects as well as scoring below 60.

Both were re-inspected on Aug. 23. One was allowed to reopen; the other failed re-inspection and remains closed.

Sign up for our LexGo Eat & Drink newsletters

The latest on food, dining and bourbon delivered right to your inbox for free. See what's happening in the world of bourbon, including buying, tasting tips and more on Tuesday. Stick around for the biggest restaurant news in Central Kentucky on Thursday. Sign up here.

When the health department closes a restaurant, a red sign is placed on the door to notify potential customers that food service has been halted. But the health department does not publicize that restaurants have been closed.

Restaurants are closed when the health department finds an imminent risk to public health such as insect or rodent infestation, lack of running water or sewage contamination.

Establishments that score below 60 on an inspection also are immediately closed.

Dumplings Noodles Inc closed by health department Aug. 14

Dumplings Noodles Inc. , 3695 Nicholasville Rd., was closed by the health department on Aug. 14 after failing a regular inspection with a score of 52 out of 100.

Restaurants that score below 60 are automatically closed, and in this case, the inspector also noted the presence of insects, which also typically results in closure.

Dumplings Noodles Inc. was ordered to cease operation and request a conference with the health department within five days or its permit would be suspended.

The inspector found 30 areas of violation, according to the inspection report. Among them:

• Person in charge didn’t demonstrate food safety knowledge;
• Employee beverages and food improperly stored;
• Hands not washed after touching raw product;
• Bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods (a server was cutting fruit without gloves);
• Hand sink not accessible, with no paper towels and water not hot enough for sanitizing;
• Food stored improperly in walk-in cooler including food contaminated by condensation drip, food with lint and hair on it and food stored uncovered;
• Improper sanitizing;
• Food not kept at safe temperatures (sauces that required refrigeration were left at room temperature, sweet and sour chicken not kept cold or hot enough);
• Food not date marked for discard;
• Unapproved combination of cleaner/disinfectant in use;
• Pesticides in use within the establishment;
• Improper thawing (frozen packaged noodles left at room temperature, meat left in standing water);
• Fayette County food handlers’ cards expired;
• No hair/beard restraints where required;
• Knives and tongs store on unclean surfaces;
• Soiled gloves not properly disposed of;
• Not enough hot water/water not hot enough to meet sanitizing demands, among other issues.

Dumplings Noodles Inc. failed re-inspection on Aug. 23 and remains closed, according to the health department.

Papi’s Palomar closed by health department Aug. 21

Papi’s Palomar , 3901 Harrodsburg Rd. Suite 180, was closed by the health department on Aug. 21 after a follow-up inspection despite scoring 87 at the time.

The inspector noted that the restaurant was not cooling food properly: Leftover food from the day before was not rapidly cooled for safety.

The inspector also found improper sanitizing and improper hand-washing, among other violations.

The restaurant was ordered to cease operation and issued a request for conference notice.

Papi’s Palomar was allowed to reopen two days later after passing re-inspection on Aug. 23.

How Lexington health department inspections work

Restaurants and food service establishments are required to post their most recent scores at the front door; scores in green boxes indicate passage and scores in red indicate failure.

Inspection scores are available online at the Lexington health department’s web site .

The health department inspects every local food service establishment at least every six months; some restaurants are placed on enhanced regulatory enforcement and receive additional inspections. Restaurants also are inspected if the health department receives credible complaints.

In June, the Herald-Leader published an updated list of the 166 restaurants and food service providers that are under enhanced regulatory enforcement , formerly called probation, by the health department.

Any restaurant that scores 80 or below on an inspection is placed on enhanced enforcement.

Rodents, lack of refrigeration: Two Lexington restaurants closed by inspectors

Insects, unwashed hands shut down Lexington restaurant. What else did inspectors find?

Lexington restaurant inspections: Pizza place closed, illnesses reported

Lexington restaurant evicted from National Avenue spot after fatal mass shooting

‘Last call’ at Pivot Brewing. Lexington cidery is closing after 8 years

Legendary Lexington restaurant closing ahead of big move, but for how long?