Lexington Restaurants Temporarily Closed Due to Health Violations

Two restaurants in Lexington were temporarily closed last month by the local health department for serious health violations involving insects. Both establishments have since reopened after addressing the reported issues and passing inspections.

On October 15, the health department shut down Maria’s Kitchen, located at 805 N. Broadway, following an inspection that revealed the presence of a cockroach in the dry food storage area. Health department protocols dictate immediate closure when there is an imminent risk to public health, such as insect or rodent infestations.

Maria’s Kitchen was permitted to reopen on October 18 after successfully passing a re-inspection conducted by the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department.

A second closure occurred on November 13 at El Huarache, situated at 1316 Russell Cave Rd., where inspectors noted not only the presence of insects but also improper handling of ready-to-eat foods, specifically bare hand contact. This restaurant was allowed to resume operations on November 18 after correcting the noted violations and passing re-inspection.

Upon closure, a red sign is placed on the door of affected restaurants, serving as a notification to potential customers about halted food service. However, details regarding these closures are not publicly disseminated by the health department. Furthermore, restaurants must rectify violations and pass a follow-up inspection before receiving clearance to reopen.

Inspection protocols require all food service establishments to post their most recent health scores at their entrances. Scores enclosed in green boxes indicate compliance, whereas those in red boxes indicate failure. Any establishment scoring below 60 on an inspection is also subject to immediate closure. The health department conducts inspections at least every six months, though some restaurants may be placed under enhanced regulatory enforcement and receive more frequent checks, especially in response to credible complaints.

Since June, five local restaurants have been temporarily closed due to various violations. The health department maintains an updated list of establishments under enhanced enforcement, including those scoring 80 or below in inspections.

The closure of Maria’s Kitchen and El Huarache serves as a reminder for local dining establishments to uphold stringent health standards to ensure public safety.