Newly Opened Star City Cafe Adds Flavor to Roanoke Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building: Addressing Food Safety Concerns in Virgnia
The Roanoke Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building now has an operational grill once again, with Star City Cafe serving breakfast and lunch on weekdays in a previously vacant restaurant space. The cafe is owned by the city government and managed by the Berglund Center, according to General Manager Robyn Schon Smith.
Star City Cafe offers a variety of “hot lunch baskets” for patrons, including fries, a salad or soup, and options such as a burger, chicken bacon Swiss sandwich, “ultimate” cheesesteak, or chicken tenderloins, all priced at $7.50. These are the most expensive items on the menu as indicated on the online menu. The cafe has seating capacity for 40 people.
Prior to its opening, the Virginia Department of Health found the restaurant to be non-compliant during an inspection, citing a staffing requirement related to food safety. Restaurants in the state are required to have a certified food protection manager on staff. While the Berglund Center employs a food and beverage manager with the necessary credential, they are currently on long-term leave. VDH spokesperson Christie Wills suggested that the cafe should consider appointing someone else to fulfill this role before opening its doors to customers.
