Gastrointestinal illnesses associated with Nikki's Restaurant & Lounge in Covington

Summary

Public Health investigated an outbreak of gastrointestinal (stomach) illness associated with Nikki's Restaurant & Lounge in Covington. We did not find a specific food or drink item that caused this outbreak. However, the illnesses matched what we see with bacterial toxins. These are poisons made by certain bacteria that can grow quickly when food is left at room temperature. When that happens, the food can become contaminated and make people sick.

The outbreak appears to be over, and our investigation is ongoing.

Illnesses

Two people reported becoming sick after eating at Nikki's Restaurant & Lounge in Covington on August 6, 2026. They had one or more of the following symptoms including diarrhea, stomach pains, feeling queasy (nausea), vomiting, chills, and fever.

We did not find any sick restaurant workers with signs of gastrointestinal (stomach) illness.

Public Health actions

We interviewed two people who became sick to learn more about their symptoms and what they ate.

On August 19, 2026, we visited the restaurant and found they were keeping some foods between 41°F and 135°F (also known as the temperature danger zone), which could have contributed to this outbreak.

We required the restaurant to throw away food that was found left in the temperature danger zone for too long. We also required the restaurant to repair a refrigerator that was not keeping food cold enough before they could continue storing food inside of it.

We will return to the restaurant within two weeks to check that all food safety problems have been fixed.

Laboratory testing

No laboratory testing was done.