Welcome to the Louisville Food Safety Spotlight!
Hey there, Derby City diners! Whether you're a bruncher, burger buff, or sushi savant, we've got the scoop you need to keep your meals safe and satisfying. This week’s plate is piled high: from surprise critters in the kitchen to a McMuffin mishap, it's a blockbuster episode of “Restaurant Rescue: Louisville Edition.” Grab a napkin—as always, we’re dishing out the real tea (and maybe a few pop culture puns) for the week of July 21st through July 27th, 2025.
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LouVUE by the Numbers
Inspections: 182 total this week
- Regular Inspections: 160
- Survey Inspections: 6
- Follow-Up Re-Checks: 16 (because sometimes, one look just isn’t enough!)
It’s a busy week for the city’s food safety squad, and with summer heat in full swing, critical violations can multiply faster than you can say “extra ranch, please.”
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Second Servings: The Follow-Up Files 🍕🍔
A follow-up inspection is like a sequel—will it bring redemption, or just more drama? Here’s how some headline-makers did on their second (or third, or fourth...) round.
ALDI #38 (3442 PRESTON HWY)
- Score: 100
- Grade: Not listed
- Sometimes, perfection speaks for itself! But with no grade posted, there’s not quite enough info for the full story. Still, a 100 is the food safety equivalent of a standing ovation.
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN (7900 SHELBYVILLE RD)
- Score: 98 | Grade: A
- CPK aced their follow-up—just two points shy of perfect, and a solid green "A". That’s amore!
KROGER L-752 (3165 S 2ND ST)
- Score: 0 | Grade: Not listed
- Not enough info to judge—transparency is always top priority, so we’re sharing this as is.
PAUL'S COMMISSARY DELI AND PREP & PAUL'S COMMISSARY MAIN KITCHEN (4601 JENNINGS LN)
- Score: 100 | Grade: A (multiple repeat inspections!)
- Repeat performances from both the Deli and Main Kitchen, both nailing a perfect score. Either they’re aiming for a Guinness World Record, or the inspector just really loves their sandwiches. Either way—well done, Paul’s!
SHENANIGAN'S (1611 NORRIS PLACE)
- Score: 95 | Grade: C
- Oh Shenanigan’s, you're living up to your name. We’ve been watching you, and that 'C' is sticking like last night’s wing sauce. Details below in our Cautionary Cuisine section.
SPEEDWAY #9612 (1101 BARDSTOWN RD)
- Score: 97 | Grade: Not listed
- Again, score looks solid, but no grade info means we can’t make a final call. Sharing for transparency!
SUPERMERCADO LA ROSITA (5059 PRESTON HWY)
- Score: 100 | Grade: B
- A 100 with a "B"? That’s like acing your test but forgetting to put your name on it. Remember, a B often means previous issues, or problems that needed more than one check to resolve. Stay mindful, shoppers!
#### Why Follow-Ups Matter:
Follow-ups are the culinary equivalent of a pop quiz after detention. If a place lands a 'C' or gets shut down, they have to clean up their act—fast! A passing follow-up (ideally with an "A") is crucial for restoring diner confidence. But a 'B' or persistent grade issues? That's a red (or blue) flag to watch for.
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Cautionary Cuisine: The C-List 🍟🐭
Let’s break down this week’s seven spots that just couldn’t make the grade. If you see a bright red "C" card in a window, that means the establishment scored below 85% or had a critical violation—think high risk for foodborne illness. These restaurants will get a follow-up within 7–10 days, and you should definitely check before you chew.
1. AGAVE AND RYE
426 BAXTER AVE, LOUISVILLE, KY 40204
Score: 96 | Grade: C
Violation:
- INSECTS, RODENTS AND ANIMALS NOT PRESENT (Critical): Presence of rodents.
LouVUE’s Take:
Love bold tacos, but not bold rodents. Even with a high numerical score, a critical violation like rodents means an instant 'C.' A rodent on the dinner rush? No thanks! Agave and Rye, it’s time for some serious pest control and a follow-up pronto.
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2. BIG BAD BREAKFAST MIDDLETOWN
11615 SHELBYVILLE RD, LOUISVILLE, KY 40243
Score: 97 | Grade: C
Violation:
- NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS OR APPROVED ALTERNATE METHOD FOLLOWED (Critical): Bare hand contact with ready to eat foods.
LouVUE’s Take:
Eggs over easy, hands over everything? Not on my watch! Even a near-perfect score can't make up for bare hands on your breakfast. It's a textbook 'C'—and a textbook lesson on why food safety rules matter.
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3. DOUBLE DRAGON II
5222 DIXIE HWY, LOUISVILLE, KY 40216
Score: 81 | Grade: C
Violations:
- PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE (Critical): Employees eating, drinking, or smoking in unauthorized area.
- PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES (Critical): TCS food not maintained at 41°F or below (Spice and oil mixture, 53°F; corrected, discarded immediately).
- Physical facilities installed, maintained and clean: Employee clothing/possessions not stored properly. Outer doors left open, inviting pests. Floors, walls, ceiling not clean.
- Adequate hand washing facilities supplied and accessible: No towels or hand-drying at sinks. Garbage can not accessible.
- In-use utensils, properly stored: Scoops and knives not stored safely.
- Food separated and protected: Ready-to-eat food exposed to raw animal products.
- INSECTS, RODENTS AND ANIMALS NOT PRESENT (Critical): Presence of insects (flies).
- Nonfood-contact surfaces clean: Accumulation of soil on cooler handles, etc.
- Wiping cloths: properly used and stored: Cloths not stored in sanitizer.
- TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, USED (Critical): Toxins stored above food (corrected, discarded).
- FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED AND SANITIZED (Critical): Ice machine moldy (corrected, ice discarded, machine to be cleaned).
LouVUE’s Take:
Triple threat: cleanliness, cross-contamination, and critters. This is a classic C-case—multiple criticals, and a whole lotta work to do before this dragon can fly again.
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4. DRAGON KING'S DAUGHTER
1543 BARDSTOWN RD, LOUISVILLE, KY 40205
Score: 91 | Grade: C
Violation:
- PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES (Critical): TCS food not maintained at 41°F or below (walk-in cooler).
LouVUE’s Take:
Cold food, warm fridge? Nope. One critical violation is all it takes, and in the sushi game, cold holding is everything. Let’s hope the next inspection brings a better score—and safer sushi.
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5. MCDONALD'S
2314 BROWNSBORO RD, LOUISVILLE, KY 40206
Score: 98 | Grade: C
Violation:
- INSECTS, RODENTS AND ANIMALS NOT PRESENT (Critical): Presence of insects. Roaches present behind the ice machine.
LouVUE’s Take:
You wanted your Coke with ice, not with extra “protein.” Even chain giants aren’t immune to the C-list if the roaches are running the show. Swift action and serious cleaning required!
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6. RALLY'S #8252
10310 DIXIE HWY, LOUISVILLE, KY 40272
Score: 90 | Grade: C
Violations:
- PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES (Critical): TCS food not kept at 41°F or below (tomatoes & lettuce at 69°F; corrected, discarded immediately).
- INSECTS, RODENTS AND ANIMALS NOT PRESENT (Critical): Presence of insects (flies).
LouVUE’s Take:
When your Rally's fries are hotter than the walk-in cooler, there’s a problem. Two criticals here—fast food, but let’s not make it fast spoilage.
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7. SHENANIGAN'S
1611 NORRIS PLACE, LOUISVILLE, KY 40205
Score: 95 | Grade: C
Violations:
- PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES (Critical): TCS food not held at 41°F or below (walk-in cooler, discarded).
- PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION (Critical): Food not clearly marked for safe use (no thaw date).
LouVUE’s Take:
Déjà vu, anyone? Shenanigan’s is back on the C-list this week, and not for their witty name. With cold holding and date marking both flagged as critical, it’s time for a food safety reset.
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The Check, Please: LouVUE’s Final Course 🧾
This week’s menu brought us everything from rodent rodeos to breakfast handshakes. Remember: a high number doesn’t always mean high standards—critical violations mean a "C," no matter the score. And a "B" on a follow-up? That’s your sign that something was off more than once—so keep your eyes peeled and your Yelp reviews honest.
As always, check that inspection grade before grabbing a booth or a basket. Let’s make safe dining the only option in the Ville! Hungry for more? Stay tuned, stay curious, and stay safe—LouVUE will keep watching so you can keep eating.
Bon appétit, Louisville!