Huntsville, October 13, 2025
News Summary
West End Grill in Huntsville has made headlines after being awarded a concerning health inspection score of 69, the lowest in Madison County. The inspection found several violations, including the presence of flies in the kitchen and lack of proper sanitizer in the dishwashing area. The restaurant has since announced plans to address these issues, committing to retraining staff and appointing a new manager focused on food safety. While health inspections in the region showed varied results, West End Grill’s score raises serious concerns about food safety practices.
Huntsville Restaurant, West End Grill, Faces Health Inspection Issues with Lowest Score in Madison County
West End Grill in Huntsville has received an alarming health inspection score of 69, making it the only establishment in Madison County to score below passing. This failing grade raises serious concerns about food safety and cleanliness at the restaurant.
The recent health inspection identified multiple violations, including:
- Presence of flies in the kitchen.
- A dishwashing machine lacking chlorine sanitizer.
- Multiple food temperature violations.
- An employee cleaning a knife in the wrong sink.
In response to the inspection findings, West End Grill took to social media, posting on Facebook to acknowledge the issues raised. The restaurant has committed to implementing corrective actions, which include retraining employees in food safety procedures and appointing a new manager who will focus on food safety measures. The restaurant’s management is aiming for a future inspection score of 95 or above.
In a broader context, health inspections across the region revealed various scores for other establishments. In DeKalb County, Don Chico in Fort Payne received a score of 78 due to a lack of soap at a handwashing sink, no toilet paper in restrooms, mold in the ice machine, and improper food storage temperatures. Other notable scores included:
- Sunrise Food Mart in Scottsboro, with a score of 80.
- Las Palmas in Section, scoring 81 due to roaches near the water heater and temperature issues with rice.
- Margarita’s in Scottsboro, scoring 82 due to flies in the kitchen and unmarked food dates.
Fortunately, no significant issues were reported in Lauderdale County. However, Sabor Latino Taqueria in Limestone County scored 84 due to missing sanitary supplies and moldy food. Anthony Granizados Shaved Ice in Marshall County recorded the lowest score in that county at 70, attributed to sewage leakage, unlabeled chemicals, and food temperature issues. Additionally, Sonic in Boaz and Food Basket in Albertville both scored 79 due to food temperature violations.
In Jackson County, the highest recorded violations pertained to dirty soda nozzles and improperly stored temperature-sensitive foods. All scores were based on inspections conducted from September 29 to October 3, 2025. The Madison County Health Department noted that fourteen establishments received perfect inspection scores, highlighting that while some scores were concerning, many restaurants are maintaining health standards successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
What score did West End Grill receive during the health inspection?
West End Grill in Huntsville received a score of 69 during a health inspection, the only score below passing in Madison County.
What major violations were noted during the West End Grill inspection?
The inspection noted multiple violations including presence of flies in the kitchen, a dishwashing machine lacking chlorine sanitizer, multiple food temperature violations, and an employee cleaning a knife in the wrong sink.
What corrective actions is West End Grill planning to take?
Following the inspection, West End Grill posted on Facebook acknowledging the issues and promised corrective actions, including retraining employees in food safety procedures and appointing a new manager focused on food safety.
How do other restaurants in the area compare to West End Grill’s health inspection score?
In DeKalb County, Don Chico in Fort Payne scored 78, while other notable scores included Sunrise Food Mart in Scottsboro with 80, Las Palmas in Section with 81, and Margarita’s in Scottsboro with 82. No significant issues were reported in Lauderdale County.
Inspection Scores Summary
| Restaurant | Location | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| West End Grill | Huntsville | 69 | Multiple violations including flies, sanitizer absence. |
| Don Chico | Fort Payne | 78 | Lack of soap, mold in the ice machine. |
| Sunrise Food Mart | Scottsboro | 80 | Minor violations. |
| Las Palmas | Section | 81 | Roaches found, temperature issues. |
| Margarita’s | Scottsboro | 82 | Flies in the kitchen. |
| Sabor Latino Taqueria | Limestone County | 84 | Missing sanitary supplies. |
| Anthony Granizados Shaved Ice | Marshall County | 70 | Sewage leakage, unlabeled chemicals. |
| Sonic | Boaz | 79 | Food temperature violations. |
| Food Basket | Albertville | 79 | Food temperature violations. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Madison County Hosts ‘No Book Left Behind’ Festival
Huntsville Parks & Recreation Announces October Halloween Events
Silver Alert Canceled for Missing Woman in Richmond
Huntsville Sisters-in-Law Juggle Work and Studies
Madison County Health Department Releases Food Safety Scores
Weekend Events Across the Tennessee Valley
Huntsville Celebrates Halloween with Exciting Film Events
Huntsville to Decide the Fate of 708 Bar & Grille
Madison County Health Department Releases Latest Inspection Scores
Floriana Italian Restaurant to Expand to MidCity Huntsville
Additional Resources
- WAAY 31: Black Ice, Green Bread, and a Fleet of Flies
- Wikipedia: Food Safety
- WAAY 31: Questionable Queso and Chunky Milk
- Google Search: Restaurant Health Inspection
- WAAY 31: Roaches on the Wall in Providence
- Google Scholar: Food Health Inspection
- WAAY 31: Kitchen Wall Full of Roaches
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurant Cleanliness
- WAAY 31: Nobody Wants Warm Raw Meat
- Google News: Restaurant Food Temperature
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
