The Black Steer Receives Re-Inspection Required Rating Following Food Safety Violations
The Black Steer, a longtime Loveland steakhouse, received a "Re-Inspection Required" rating with a score of 57 points during a health inspection conducted on September 8, 2025, by Larimer County health officials.
The inspection found several food safety violations at the restaurant located at 436 N Lincoln Ave, including issues with food temperature control, sanitization procedures, and food storage practices. Under Larimer County's scoring system, establishments receiving 50-109 points require re-inspection to ensure basic food safety standards are met.
Health inspectors identified multiple temperature control violations during the visit. Items in the hot table were found below the required 135°F for proper hot holding, including mashed potatoes at 104°F, mac and cheese at 120°F, and meat pasta sauce at 118°F. Other items measured between 94-120°F. Staff indicated foods had not been reheated prior to the inspection. Inspectors noted that steam tables and warming cabinets should not be used to reheat foods, as these units are not designed for rapid reheating. Foods were reheated to above 165°F during the inspection and proper hot holding temperatures were verified before inspectors departed.
The inspection also revealed problems with the dish sanitizing system. The dish machine showed no sanitizer concentration when tested, though the sanitizer supply was full. Officials determined the machine had not been primed to distribute chemicals through the system. The machine was primed and tested to ensure proper sanitizer concentration of 50-200 ppm chlorine before being returned to service. Inspectors also noted that staff needed to include a final sanitizer step when cleaning equipment in place.
Food storage violations included improper organization of raw meats in standing coolers near the dish area. Raw ground beef, which requires cooking to 155°F, was stored above whole muscle raw meat that requires cooking to 145°F. Raw animal foods must be stored by cooking temperature to prevent cross contamination. Staff reorganized the meats when requested.
Date marking violations were found in multiple coolers. A container of cooked spaghetti lacked any date marking, and a container of cooked rice marked for August 27 was discarded. A large container of cooked beef marked August 31 was also discarded under a voluntary condemnation agreement. Ready-to-eat foods held refrigerated for more than 24 hours must be clearly marked and consumed within seven days to control bacterial exposure.
Inspectors found vacuum-packed frozen fish thawing without proper packaging removal in one cooler. Vacuum-packed frozen fish must be removed from packaging or have packaging punctured during thawing to prevent botulism growth. The packaging was punctured during the inspection.
The Black Steer opened in 1966 and has operated as Loveland's longest-running steakhouse for over 50 years. The restaurant is known for hand-cut, in-house aged steaks and classic American comfort food. It has received recognition including a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice award and local accolades for its steaks.
Health inspections are routine procedures conducted to ensure food safety standards are maintained at food service establishments. The restaurant must undergo re-inspection to verify corrections have been implemented and maintained before receiving a passing grade.