LouVue
All Articles

LouVUE's Weekly Dish: June 2nd - June 8th, 2025

June 8, 2025 5 min read

LouVUE’s Food Safety Scoop: Keeping Louisville on the Safe Side (June 2 - June 8, 2025)

Hey there, food lovers and safety seekers! This week, we’re slicing into Louisville’s dining scene with a sharp eye – from the sweet successes of follow-up inspections to the cautionary tales from our red-flagged eateries. Whether you’re craving a pie at Derby City Pizza or pondering a pit stop at Fairdale Valero, LouVUE’s got the dish that keeps you in the know and out of the food safety blues.

LouVUE by the Numbers

Here’s the quick stats rundown for the week starting June 2 through June 8, 2025:

  • Total Inspections: 122
    • Regular Inspections: 101
    • Other Types (Office, Other): 11
    • Follow-Up Inspections: 10

Looks like the inspectors were out in full force, making sure Louisville’s plates stay safe and clean. Follow-ups are especially crucial since they check if places fixed their slip-ups – more on that next!

Second Servings: Re-Checks and Redemption

Follow-ups are like giving restaurants a second chance to make things right, and when they nail it, we all win. Here’s the scoop on this week’s follow-up inspections:

  • BOB EVANS #437 (11800 Standiford Plaza Dr): Scored a perfect 100 and grade A on June 6. This is what I like to see—flipping the script from any past issues to a spotless kitchen!

  • DERBY CITY PIZZA (12900 Dixie Hwy): Also hit the magic 100 with an A grade on June 4. Pizza lovers, you’re safe to dig in without worry.

  • FAIRDALE VALERO (1101 Fairdale Rd): Uh-oh. This one landed a C grade with a score of 87 on June 3 during follow-up. Sadly, that means some serious problems remain, and the place needs to get its act together in under two weeks.

  • IHOP (1401 S Hurstbourne Pkwy): A near-perfect 99 and an A grade on June 6. Pancake fans, your flapjacks are in good hands.

  • NORTH OF BOURBON (935 Goss Ave): Another flawless 100 and A grade on June 5. Cheers to clean cocktails!

  • SAFARI INTERNATIONAL GROCERY STORE (1900 Crums Ln): Two follow-ups on June 2 — scored 95 with an A on one, but the other has no follow-up grade and a score of 95. Looks like the data’s a bit incomplete here, so LouVUE’s keeping it transparent. No grade means not enough info to judge, but a 95 score is promising.

  • SKY DOG (Address unknown): Follow-up scored 0 with no grade on June 3. Not enough info to dissect, but a zero score usually sets off alarms. Keep an eye here.

  • TASTE OF CHINA 555 INC (1167 S 4th St): Solid rebound with 99 and an A on June 5. Yum and safe!

  • YUMMY POLLO (4222 Bishop Ln): Perfect score and A grade on June 3. LouVUE loves a clean, crispy chicken spot!

LouVUE’s Take on Follow-Ups

Follow-ups tell us if restaurants are fixing their problems or just sweeping them under the rug. A fresh A grade on follow-up means they made it right, while a B grade is a heads-up that issues linger—usually meaning the place failed multiple times or barely passed after closure. And a C grade? That’s a red flag, folks. Stay cautious.

Cautionary Cuisine: The Crimson C’s of Louisville

When it comes to restaurant grades, a ‘C’ means trouble. This grade signals the establishment scored below 85% or had one or more critical violations — those big-time risks that can lead to foodborne illness. They get a 7-10 day window to fix these issues, or else…

Fairdale Valero

LouVUE’s Take: Déjà vu, anyone? This spot just got a C in its follow-up — not the comeback we wanted to see. No specific violations listed, but an 87 score on a follow-up is a big warning sign. They need to step up their game fast to keep customers safe and avoid closure.

KY KINGDOM DIPPIN DOTS

Violations:

  • Critical: Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices – No water available (Critical Violation)

LouVUE’s Take: Hold the cones! KY Kingdom Dippin Dots got flagged for a critical plumbing issue — no water available in a food service spot? That’s a serious health hazard straight out of a nightmare episode. Despite a high score of 96, this critical violation dings them hard with a C grade, reminding us that even small lapses in essentials like water can mean big trouble.

The Check, Please: Stay Sharp, Louisville!

This week’s round-up is a mix of sweet victories and spicy warnings. Kudos to places like Bob Evans, Derby City Pizza, and Yummy Pollo for cleaning up their act. But our eyes are peeled on Fairdale Valero and KY Kingdom Dippin Dots — their current red flags mean diners should proceed with caution or hold off until things improve.

Remember, grades aren’t just letters; they’re your frontline defense against foodborne illness. Always check before you chow and don’t be shy to ask questions. Safe dining is good dining, and LouVUE’s here to keep you informed and empowered. Catch you next week for the next helping of Louisville’s food safety scoop! 🍔🍕🍦