The Tennessee Department of Health issued low initial inspection scores to over two dozen restaurants across Cheatham, Dickson, Robertson and Sumner counties in the first six months of 2026.
Across these
four counties that border Nashville, seven restaurants received scores of 79 or less, representing the lowest scores of all the restaurants inspected from January through July. The Health Department gives restaurants with low scores a chance to correct issues, sometimes performing a follow-up inspection the same day. Follow-up inspection scores are included when available.
More: Check out the lowest Nashville restaurant inspection scores in 2026
Several restaurants faced immediate closure or warnings for repeat critical violations.
Want to learn more about restaurant health inspection in Tennessee? See our explainer. The Tennessean also posted a searchable database with health inspection scores dating back to August 2022.
More: What you need to know about restaurant health inspections
Full inspection reports can be found on the Tennessee Department of Health website.
January 2026: Lowest restaurant inspection score
Burger King, 132 Monroe Place in Ashland City
Jan. 13 routine inspection score: 78
Jan. 23 follow-up score: 98
Examples of violations: Inspectors noted the person in charge was unable to demonstrate an adequate knowledge over operations and foodborne illness risk factors. Inspectors could not locate an employee illness policy posted in the facility and the person in charge was unaware of whether a policy exists or not. She was also uninformed on reportable illnesses and symptoms and her responsibility to ensure all employees are properly informed.
Employees were observed transitioning between taking payment and preparing orders without washing their hands. A pink residue buildup was found in the ice machine; Grease and debris buildup was observed on the fry warmer directly above where food is stored and food debris buildup could be seen in between slicer blades. Grease and food debris buildup was also noted on the floors, especially around equipment.
More: Worst food inspections north of Nashville: rodent poop, dead roaches
See the full inspection report
February 2026: Lowest restaurant inspection score
The Sunday House, 113 Cumberland Street in Ashland City
Feb. 23 routine inspection score: 73
Mar. 2 follow-up score: 97
Examples of violations: The person in charge said the establishment does not have an employee illness policy, prompting additional education. Inspectors noticed exposed insulation in the dry storage area. Debris buildup was observed on the kitchen floor. The establishment did not have approved sanitizer on site, only a low-splash bleach that should not be used on food contact surfaces. An employee left and returned with an approved sanitizer and the person in charge re-sanitized all drying dishes.
See the full inspection report
March 2026: Lowest restaurant inspection score
Vallarta Mexican Restaurant, 1602 Memorial Blvd in Springfield
Mar. 26 routine inspection score: 71
Apr. 2 follow-up score: 95
Examples of violations: During the inspection, health officials immediately closed the restaurant due to an "imminent health hazard" from backed-up drains. Inspectors said an environmental health specialist went to correct a three-compartment sink heavily concentrated with 200 parts per million of chlorine to 50-100 ppm, when the sink dropped.
Prior to the closure, inspectors noticed grocery bags used to store food products. A screen door was left propped open. Damaged floors and cobwebs on ceilings were also noted by inspectors. And three containers of sauces, about 15 pounds, observed past date marking parameters for a seven-day hold were embargoed.
More: Worst food inspections north of Nashville: 'imminent health hazard' closure
See the full inspection report
April 2026: Lowest restaurant inspection score
El Sazon De Dona Cuca, 101 18th Ave West in Springfield
Apr. 1 routine inspection score: 67
Apr. 10 follow-up score: 96
Examples of violations: Inspectors cited a lack of active managerial control over foodborne illness risks during a staff transition that left multiple violations unaddressed.
An employee was seen by health officials washing their gloves after cracking raw shell eggs. About 20 pounds of cooked chicken and a pepper and tomatillo-based sauce were embargoed after cooling on the counter for over 10 hours. A large chunk of raw, whole muscle beef and beef stomach were thawed in a traditional camping cooler overnight. Inspectors found beans, carnitas and cooked chicken prepared by a family member had exceeded their seven-day hold by one week. Several food products were found stored in grocery bags.
More: Worst food inspections west of Nashville: Permit revocation warning sought
See the full inspection report
May 2026: Lowest restaurant inspection score
Don Pancho II, 232 Hutton Place, Suite 112, in Ashland City
May 21 routine inspection score: 62
May 21 follow-up score: 97
Examples of violations: Inspectors said a warning letter would be requested for repeat violations found during the inspection and health officials noted they discussed implementing a Risk Control Plan in order to obtain active managerial control over these repeated priority items. Upon arrival, health officials said an employee reported the manager was not at the restaurant and no one was in charge.
Inspectors observed an employee handle their personal cell phone with gloves on, then resume food prep without washing their hands and putting on new gloves. An employee was also seen handling a ready-to-eat sliced lemon for a customer's drink with their bare hands. Inspectors observed an employee with gloves already on place another set of gloves on to handle raw chicken at the stove. A large pan of cooked beef in the walk-in cooler was found with an internal temperature of 50 degrees and about 50 pounds was embargoed during the inspection.
More: Worst May food inspections in Middle TN: warning letters for repeat violations
See the full inspection report
June 2026: Lowest restaurant inspection scores
No food service establishments received inspection scores of 79 or lower in Cheatham, Dickson, Robertson or Sumner counties in June 2026.
July 2026: Lowest restaurant inspection scores
The Sunday House, 113 Cumberland Street in Ashland City
July 27 routine inspection score: 76
Aug. 4 follow-up score: 95
Examples of violations: Inspectors discovered The Sunday House selling jelly canned in the restaurant that does not fall under the Tennessee Food Freedom Act without obtaining an approved variance. Five pounds of canned jelly was embargoed during the inspection.
Numerous flies were present throughout the kitchen and exposed insulation was found in the dry storage area.
Inspectors said a permit revocation warning would be requested for repeat critical violations found during the inspection and health officials noted a Risk Control Plan was discussed with restaurant staff.
See the full inspection report
China Star, 332 Frey Street in Ashland City
July 14 routine inspection score: 76
July 22 follow-up score: 95
Examples of violations: Inspectors said they received a complaint about a metal bristle found in someone's food, leading health officials to initiate a routine inspection. Restaurant staff told inspectors steel wool is used to clean woks after each use and bristles come off occasionally. While bristles were not seen inside woks or food containers during the inspection, staff were advised to discontinue using steel wool or exchange them more frequently.
Cooked chicken and egg rolls were left out of temperature control for an unknown amount of time and about 20 pounds was embargoed during the inspection. Heavy grease and debris buildup was observed throughout the kitchen including on shelving above the woks and on all equipment.
Inspectors said a permit revocation warning would be requested for repeat critical violations found during the inspection and health officials noted a risk control plan was discussed with restaurant staff.
See the full inspection report
Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Lowest restaurant inspection scores in Ashland City and Springfield in 2026
