The Grill Marks of July: Food Safety Sizzles & Fizzles in Derby City
Welcome back, LouVUE crew! Hope you all had a safe and sparkling Fourth—because some of our local eateries were setting off a few firecrackers of their own in the inspection world. From champion comebacks to chilling criticals, this week’s food safety scoop is hotter than fresh-out-the-fryer fries. So, whether you’re plotting a patio brunch or a late-night taco run, keep reading for the lowdown you’ll want before you chow down!
This report covers everything sizzling and not-so-sizzling from Monday, June 30th through Sunday, July 6th, 2025. Let’s dish!
LouVUE by the Numbers: A Red, White, and Blue Plate Special
- Total Inspections: 149
- Regular Inspections: 137
- Other Types (SURVEY/OTHER): 2
- Follow-Up (Re-checks): 10
Not a quiet holiday week for the health inspectors! Ten follow-ups mean there were plenty of second chances being handed out—because food safety isn’t a one-and-done deal, folks. Remember: Grade A (Green) is the gold standard (or should we say green standard?)—that’s 85-100% and no critical violations. C grades mean serious trouble (under 85% or just one critical violation), and a Grade B (Blue), while not in this week’s follow-ups, is a food safety yellow card—usually a sign of repeat issues or a barely-passed follow-up.
Second Servings: The Comeback (and Curveball) Crew
Follow-up inspections are like the plot twists in your favorite binge-worthy series: you never quite know who’s rising to the occasion and who’s leaving us on a cliffhanger. Here’s who stepped up to the food safety plate this week:
BUCK’S (425 W ORMSBY AVE)
Scored an A with a shiny 98 on their re-inspection. Way to wipe the slate—and the counters—clean! If you’ve been watching Buck’s, this is the kind of glow-up we love to see.
CIRCLE K #4703223 (9901 LAGRANGE RD)
Follow-up score? 98. Grade? Not listed! Looks like we’re missing a piece of the puzzle. For you transparency lovers: we share what we get, but sometimes the official grade is left on the cutting room floor. Stay tuned.
COUNTRY BOY BREWING (400 S 2ND ST STE H)
Perfect 100 and an A—proof that second rounds can be a slam dunk. Cheers to corrective action done right!
FAMOUS DAVE’S (8605 CITADEL WAY)
Another A and a perfect 100. BBQ redemption achieved! From saucy mishaps to spotless standards.
LOUISVILLE BOAT CLUB / MAIN KITCHEN (4200 RIVER RD)
A flawless 100 and an A for their main kitchen. This crew knows how to steady the ship.
OMNI HEINE BROTHERS COFFEE (400 S 2ND ST)
Score: 99, Grade: A. That’s how you espresso a commitment to cleanliness!
OMNI I LOVE TACOS (400 S 2ND ST)
It’s a taco triumph: 100 and an A. Love tacos, love food safety.
RAJAB INTERNATIONAL MARKET (5007 POPLAR LEVEL RD)
Score: 98, Grade: Not listed. We’re all for transparency—even when the details are a little thin. File this one under “to be continued.”
TACO LOCO (5622 PRESTON HWY)
A loco-good comeback: 100 and an A. That’s how you salsa back from a setback.
THE STREATERY (304 W WOODLAWN AVE)
Scored 98 and bagged an A. That’s how you turn a street food stand into a food safety standout.
LouVUE’s Take on Follow-Ups: Follow-up inspections aren’t just red tape—they’re your guarantee that past problems (from funky fridges to dirty dishmachines) actually get fixed. Seeing so many A’s this week? That’s a holiday-worthy win! And for spots with missing grades, we’re keeping the spotlight on until we get the full story.
Cautionary Cuisine: Red Flags & Roaches
Time for the tough love! A C grade in Louisville isn’t just a slap on the wrist—it means either a score under 85 or a single critical violation (the kind that can make you sick). These places must fix issues fast and face re-inspection within 7–10 days. Let’s see who needs a little extra attention this round:
🍴 EL REY (7600 NATIONAL TURNPIKE, LOUISVILLE, KY 40214)
Score: 95
Grade: C
Violations: Not detailed this week.
LouVUE’s Take: El Rey, you’re on the list—again, and with a 95? That means a critical violation tripped the alarm. Without details, I can’t say if it was cross-contamination, pests, or temperature troubles, but a C at this score is always a red flag. Diners, double-check before you dig in!
🚨 FIREHOUSE SUBS #486 (215 S HURSTBOURNE PKWY STE 104, LOUISVILLE, KY 40222)
Score: 96
Grade: C
Critical Violation:
- Proper Cold Holding Temperatures: Critical! — “Tomatoes, lettuce and mayo not maintained at 41°F or below in reach top sandwich fridge.”
LouVUE’s Take: Whoa, Firehouse! Lettuce and mayo out of temp is a classic recipe for foodborne illness—especially in these salad days of summer. Heat belongs in the sandwich, not in your toppings. If you’re stopping for subs, maybe ask about the fridge situation before ordering. Critical violations like this are why the C is serious business.
🐞 LES PETITES ACADEMIES (4000 BARDSTOWN RD, LOUISVILLE, KY 40218)
Score: 95
Grade: C
Critical Violation:
- Insects, Rodents and Animals Not Present: Critical! — “Presence of live cockroaches.”
LouVUE’s Take: I wish I was making this up, but—live cockroaches. That’s an automatic C and a hard pass from this foodie. If you’ve got kiddos at Les Petites, talk to management about their pest control plan ASAP. Yikes.
🧼 VILLAGE ANCHOR PUB & ROOST (11507 PARK RD, LOUISVILLE, KY 40223)
Score: 96
Grade: C
Critical Violation:
- Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized: Critical! — “The approved sanitizing solution for manual/mechanical ware-washing is not at the proper concentration. (Both bar dishmachines)”
LouVUE’s Take: For a place known as a neighborhood anchor, this is a Titanic-level slip. If the bar glassware isn’t sanitized correctly, you could be sipping more than you bargained for. Here’s hoping they fine-tune those dishmachines before happy hour rolls around!
The Check, Please: Stars, Stripes & Sanitary Sites
And there you have it, Louisville! This week’s plate is loaded with redemption stories and a handful of cautionary tales. The good news: most places cleaned up their act on follow-up. But with four C’s—including critical temperature fails and cockroaches—you can’t afford to turn a blind eye.
Remember, food safety is everyone’s responsibility. If you see something off at your favorite spot, say something! And keep your eyes peeled for those green A’s—because when it comes to what you eat, you deserve fireworks, not frights.
Until next week, stay sharp, stay safe, and stay sassy—LouVUE out! 🍔🍹