Five Jefferson County Restaurants Fail Health Inspections in May 2026

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama, May 22, 2026 — Five food establishments in Jefferson County scored below 85 on health inspections conducted during the week ending May 22, 2026, according to scores published by the Jefferson County Department of Health, with violations ranging from flies in food preparation areas and blocked handwashing sinks to employee hygiene failures and food kept past its safe use date. All five locations face mandatory reinspection within 60 days under Alabama food safety regulations.

The scores, which the Jefferson County Department of Health posts publicly as part of its ongoing food safety transparency programme, allow residents to check the compliance status of restaurants, cafes and food trucks operating across the county. Any establishment scoring below 85 triggers an automatic follow-up inspection to verify that cited violations have been corrected.

Grocery Brew Pub and Its Food Truck Post the Week's Two Lowest Scores

The Grocery Brew Pub at 2823 Central Ave., Homewood, and its associated mobile food unit both appeared in the low-score list, scoring 82 and 76 respectively on inspections conducted May 14.

The food truck drew the most serious citations of any establishment inspected this week. Inspectors found the unit operating without water onboard for handwashing, a direct food safety risk, and noted that the operator had no greywater hose and no knowledge of a sanitary drain for wastewater disposal at the time of the visit. The inspector directed the operator to provide water under pressure before concluding the inspection and issued a clear written warning that food operations must not continue without it. Additional points were deducted for missing employee health policy documentation, absent food safety training records, failure to post the latest inspection score and a missing handwashing reminder sign.

The brick-and-mortar restaurant on Central Avenue received a separate inspection on the same date and scored 82. Inspectors cited the location for missing employee health policy and food safety training documentation, inadequate handwashing conditions, with water temperature at the bar and employee restroom handwashing sinks measuring a maximum of 71 degrees Fahrenheit rather than the required 100 degrees, and a restroom door that was not self-closing. The current inspection report was not posted, a lightbulb was blown, and standing water was found in a freezer.

Vineyard Food Market Cited for Flies, Blocked Sink and Improperly Stored Toxic Items

Vineyard Food Market at 1623 2nd Ave N., Birmingham, scored 82 on an inspection conducted May 15. The violations at this location covered three distinct food safety categories simultaneously.

Inspectors found toxic retail items stored alongside single-service articles in three separate areas of the food service area, and one toxic item improperly stored in the ice machine and two-compartment sink room. Flies were present in the food service operations area. The handwashing sink for the pizza operations area was blocked, the inspector found a three-piece shelving unit and a bicycle obstructing access to it. Additional points were deducted for areas requiring cleaning.

Gardens Café at Birmingham Botanical Gardens Scores 82 Over Food Date and Sanitation Issues

Gardens Café at 2612 Lane Park Rd., located inside the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, also scored 82 on a May 14 inspection. The location lost points across three priority violations.

Inspectors found ready-to-eat, temperature-controlled-for-safety foods that had exceeded their seven-day safe use window or could not have their preparation date determined, including cooked onions, spinach, shredded chicken, sliced roast beef and pasta dated April 16 or May 4. The dish machine tested negative for chlorine sanitiser, meaning it was not providing the required level of sanitation, and the inspector instructed the kitchen to use the three-compartment sink for washing, rinsing and sanitising until the machine was repaired and verified. An employee was observed talking on a cell phone and attempting to put on gloves and return to food preparation without washing their hands. Additional deductions followed for failure to post the food permit, personal items including a cell phone stored near the food preparation area, and unlabelled food items.

Applebee's on Bessemer Road Faces Reinspection Over Cross Contamination and Nail Policy Violations

The Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar at 2246 Bessemer Rd., Birmingham, scored 82 on a May 19 inspection. The five-point deduction came from equipment stored dirty with food debris on metal and plastic containers set out for use near the dish machine, creating a direct cross-contamination risk.

A four-point deduction followed for multiple staff members handling food and drinks with long nails and no gloves, in violation of Alabama food safety regulations that prohibit employees from wearing artificial nails or nail polish when working with exposed food unless gloves in good repair are worn. Two-point deductions were recorded for food debris under and behind equipment, food stains on walls at the food preparation station, dirty floor drains with black residue, a damaged floor tile under the dish machine, and a staff member wearing a wristwatch while preparing food on the serving line. Cut lemons and limes were stored in a position that made them vulnerable to contamination, carry-out containers were improperly stored, and soiled clothes were found on the serving line.

Most Jefferson County Establishments Score Well Above the Threshold

The five below-85 scores were exceptions in a week that saw the majority of Jefferson County food establishments score comfortably above the threshold. Tucana Tiki Bar at 1143 1st Ave S., Birmingham scored 99. June Cafe at 213 25th St N. scored 98. Dawson's Burgers Wings and Fries at 1617 4th Ave N. scored 97. TP's To Go in Kimberly and Burkett Center in Morris both scored a perfect 100.

Several school cafeterias also underwent inspection during the same period. Ira F. Simmons Middle School, Concord Elementary School, Vestavia Hills High School, John E. Bryan Elementary and Rudd Middle School all scored 100. Smith Middle School scored 99 and Charles A. Brown Elementary scored 98.

Under Jefferson County Department of Health rules, any food establishment scoring below 85 is required to be reinspected within 60 days. Scores at or above 85 pass without mandatory follow-up, though the department retains the right to conduct routine reinspections at any time.

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