News Summary
Gallinero Grill Chicken in Lexington has reopened following a temporary closure imposed by the health department due to significant sanitation violations, including lack of running water and expired food items. After repairs and a successful re-inspection scoring a perfect 100, the restaurant is now compliant with health regulations. This reopening emphasizes the importance of adhering to food safety standards to ensure the well-being of patrons. Residents can check restaurant inspection scores online to stay informed about dining safety.
Lexington – Gallinero Grill Chicken has reopened its doors after being temporarily closed by the health department for failing to provide running water, a crucial requirement for proper sanitation. The closure, which lasted over a week, occurred following an inspection on February 5, 2025, that identified significant health risks associated with food safety.
The inspector reported that the restaurant lacked running water, preventing adequate sanitation of food equipment and utensils, which is critical to ensuring food safety. In addition to the absence of water supply, the inspection revealed that some food items were being held past their expiration dates. Such findings prompted a closure due to the imminent risk to public health posed by unsanitary conditions.
Health regulations mandate that restaurants are closed when there are significant health risks, such as the lack of running water or sewage contamination. Gallinero Grill Chicken received a red sign posted on its door, signaling that food service had been temporarily halted. This measure is in place to inform potential customers that the establishment was closed for health and safety reasons.
Following repairs to the water service, Gallinero Grill Chicken reopened on February 14, 2025. Subsequent to its reopening, the restaurant underwent a new health inspection, scoring a perfect 100, indicating full compliance with health regulations. This score is crucial as all restaurants and food service establishments are required to post their most recent inspection scores at their front doors. Scores in green boxes denote a passing grade, while those in red indicate failure.
The Lexington health department conducts routine inspections of local food service establishments at least every six months. If a restaurant scores below 60 on an inspection, it will also be closed immediately by the health department. Establishments that score 80 or below can be placed under enhanced regulatory enforcement, which entails closer monitoring and additional inspections unless the issues are corrected.
Furthermore, the health department responds to credible complaints regarding local restaurants, potentially leading to unscheduled inspections. The agency recently released an updated list of 148 restaurants that are under enhanced regulatory enforcement due to past health code violations, as published in the Herald-Leader in March 2025.
Before opening, Gallinero Grill Chicken ensured that all health code issues had been addressed and met the sanitary requirements set forth by the health department. As part of compliance, restaurants must correct any cited health violations and pass a re-inspection in order to resume operations.
For residents of Lexington, inspection scores of local restaurants are accessible online, allowing the public to stay informed about food safety ratings and compliance. This transparency helps ensure that consumers can make informed decisions when dining out.
In summary, Gallinero Grill Chicken has resumed serving customers under strict compliance with health regulations, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining a safe dining environment. With a perfect inspection score upon reopening, patrons can feel confident in the safety and quality of the food being served.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Gallinero Grill Chicken Reopens
- Wikipedia: Food Safety
- Kentucky.com: Health Department Inspections
- Google Search: Restaurant Health Inspections
- Kentucky.com: Lexington Health Department
- Google Scholar: Food Safety Regulations
- Kentucky.com: Health Violations Enforcement
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Health Code Violations
- Kentucky.com: Gallinero Grill Status
- Google News: Lexington Restaurant Inspections
