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Benja Thai Restaurant

516 7th Ave Keremeos BC V0X 1N0 · Restaurant - Food Service

Official record from Interior Health →View on Google Maps →

Details

Google rating
4.4 / 5 (18)

Opening hours

  • Friday11 a.m.–8 p.m.
  • MondayClosed
  • Saturday11 a.m.–8 p.m.
  • Sunday11 a.m.–8 p.m.
  • Thursday11 a.m.–8 p.m.
  • TuesdayClosed
  • Wednesday11 a.m.–8 p.m.

Contact details, hours and reviews from Google Maps

Inspection summary

Benja Thai Restaurant has been inspected 8 times by Interior Health Authority since June 27, 2013. The most recent inspection, on October 3, 2025, found no infractions.

1 of 8 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Protecting food from contamination and Food temperature control.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on January 18, 2018. For example: 3 - Are equipment, food contact surfaces and utensils washed, sanitized and stored in a manner that removes/prevents contamination?

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on February 20, 2025. For example: 7 Are foods protected from contamination?

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 10, 2023. For example: 2 Are proper temperature controls maintained to ensure safe storage and display of foods?

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded once on June 27, 2013. For example: 2 - Are there handwashing stations available?

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on January 18, 2018. For example: 4 - Are the premises, equipment and utensils designed and maintained to ensure safe and sanitary food handling?

About this data

These results come from Interior Health Authority, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

8 inspections

  1. Monitoring

    0 infractions

  2. Monitoring

    1 infraction

    • F1.7 Are foods protected from contamination?
      • Observation(s): At the time of inspection, scoop handles were observed in contact with food products. Containers without handles improperly used as scoops.
  3. Monitoring

    3 infractions

    • F1.2 Are proper temperature controls maintained to ensure safe storage and display of foods?
      • Observation(s): - prep cooler beside fridge in kitchen measured at 6.5C - thermostat adjusted colder during inspection; please monitor through the week to ensure it is holding foods at 4C or colder reliably
    • F3.4 Are written sanitation procedures (Sanitation Plan) current and available on site?
      • Observation(s): - sanitation plan not readily available for review
    • F3.5 Are the FOODSAFE training requirements being met?
      • Observation(s): - from Dec 2019 inspection: FoodSafe (or equiv.) certificates expire after five years and appear to be due for renewal for all main food handlers
  4. Monitoring

    2 infractions

    • F1.3 Are proper cooling and reheating procedures followed?
      • Observation(s): - sauce observed at 32C on grill but not being heated - sauce discarded; please make sure all foods are under some form of temperature control (hot or cold)
    • F3.6 Are the FOODSAFE training requirements being met?
      • Observation(s): - please confirm that your FoodSafe certifications are up-to-date as there is a five-year expiry now
  5. Monitoring

    2 infractions

    • F2.3 - Are equipment, food contact surfaces and utensils washed, sanitized and stored in a manner that removes/prevents contamination?
      • Observation(s): - please ensure all containers with direct contact with food are made of food-grade materials
    • F3.4 - Are the premises, equipment and utensils designed and maintained to ensure safe and sanitary food handling?
      • Observation(s): - ceiling of walk-in cooler is leaking and appears to be exiting the box envelope on the dry storage side; please repair. In the meantime, please ensure foods in the walk-in cooler are protected from contamination.
  6. Monitoring

    6 infractions

    • Are proper hot holding procedures followed?
      • Observation(s): - sauces that have been reheated from the bulk preparation must reach 74C throughout and then held at 60C; another option is to re-heat directly from 4C (cold holding) per order - all bulk prepared sauces can only be re-heated once
    • Are equipment, food contact surfaces and utensils washed, sanitized and stored in a manner that removes/prevents contamination?
      • Observation(s): - no sanitizer readily available for use in kitchen
    • Are foods handled in a sanitary manner and protected from contamination?
      • Observation(s): - need to use food-grade containers for all your foods in storage
    • Are the premises, equipment and utensils designed and maintained to ensure safe and sanitary food handling?
      • Observation(s): - dishwasher not reaching 82C/180F on final rinse
    • Are written food handling procedures (Food Safety Plan) current and available on site?
      • Observation(s): - food safety plan not on hand for review
    • Are the sanitation procedures (Sanitation Plan) current and available on site?
      • Observation(s): - sanitation plan not on hand for review
  7. Monitoring

    1 infraction

    • 13.1 - Are dishes, utensils and equipment in good condition?
      • Observation(s): dishwasher currently not working, being fixed at the moment
  8. Monitoring

    5 infractions

    • 8.2 - Are there handwashing stations available?
      • Observation(s): Hand sink was obstructed by utensils and containers. Ensure that hand sink is accessible (empty and unobstructed) at all times. Utensils and containers were removed during the inspection.
    • 13.1 - Are dishes, utensils and equipment in good condition?
      • Observation(s): Chemical dispenser system in the kitchen area dispensing 0ppm Quat at the time of inspection. Served is called and has been scheduled for next week. Bleach water is provided onsite.
    • 13.2 - Are dishes, utensils and food contact surfaces properly cleaned and sanitized?
      • Observation(s): Quat sanitizer solution provided in the kitchen contains 0ppm Quat at the time of inspection. 200 ppm Quat is the minimum required amount in sanitizing solutions. Bleach water is provided. Equipment (eg. cutting boards) that is used continuously at room temperature for the handling of potentially hazardous foods should be cleaned and sanitized at least every four hours.
    • 13.3 - Are wiping cloths maintained and stored in a sanitary manner?
      • Observation(s): Wiping cloths were left on food contact surfaces, resulting in cross-contamination of the food contact surfaces. Wiping cloths must be changed frequently, and cloths that are being used must be stored in solution of water and chemical sanitizer (eg. chlorine bleach) between each use to prevent microbial growth on the cloths.
    • 15.3 - Are foods protected from contamination and/or cross contamination?
      • Observation(s): Raw meat was stored above ready-to-eat foods in the prep cooler. Ensure raw meat is always stored on the bottom to prevent the potential for cross contamination.
      • 1 Observation, Moderate Severity of Consequences : Raw foods must be stored below cooked or ready-to-eat foods.

Nearby inspected facilities

Reviews

Reviews provided by Google Maps
  • Erica Mountain

    Fabulous! We called ahead to place our order so we wouldn’t have to wait at all. We ordered 2x the food we needed so we’d have leftovers. Excellent flavour, as good as the best Thai in major cities. Superb service, efficient and accurate. Loved the Thai Iced Tea. Comfortable, cozy, friendly atmosphere. Best restaurant experience in a long while. We ate some leftovers at breakfast and some at lunch (there was another curry dish not shown), the food was the first thing I thought of when I woke up. Delicious.

  • Michael Sushi Soucy

    Their service and restaurant atmosphere is great, but their food is good/decent and they serve smaller portions. Left hungry after ordering an appetizer and meal to myself. Good Thai restaurant for a small town and for stopping on road trips in a pinch, you can't miss it as it's on the main boulevard/highway in town. They also serve Asian desserts that I didn't try but looked good.

  • Matthew F (Matt)

    My go too stop when im back home for a visit. My wife loves the special fried rice and I always get the same also. Not that the other stuff isn't good but they just do some things perfect. Its a little expensive and some of the portions have gotten small over time but its still great quality food compared to most places that charge more. Try the pork chops also!!

  • Erick Crudele

    A neighbor of mine said we should go here once we arrive in Keremeos. Now we did that, the place looked nice and and cozy. Waitress was fine but busy due to not many staff so getting her attention was difficult. I am not a Thai guy but my partner is. From what I understand Thai is mainly about the flavors of curries and sauces. So we ordered the Pad Thai with Chicken (lacked Thia flavor just a stir fry), 2 pork chops (was OK Meat was dry), Pad-see-ew (totally disappointing, it was just tomato soup) and Kao-pad kapoa (best of the 4 options) Rice. For the 3 of us we ordered those 4 dishes thinking we would have left overs. As we got the dishes we noticed how small the portions were and my partner was upset that is was not authentic enough. We ended up paying just under $100 and left hungry. We would not recommend this place unless your absolutely craving Thia which I am sure there are options elsewhere in other nearby towns. Sorry I didn't think to take pictures.

  • bokoboko

    The best Thai food in the town! Very authentic. We are visitors and randomly got here, but it was so amazing. We go back here two days in a row 🫶🏻💗 looking to come here again next year

  • Linda Wilson

    I found the food, restaurant and service to be excellent. The atmosphere was also very comfortable. Sakchai Chaicom was extremely helpful to me personally when I left my purse at the restaurant. He went out of his way to help me recover it.

  • Patnischa Jugwanna

    The warm atmosphere and comforting food made me feel right at home, like a meal that warms both your stomach and your heart. If you are visiting Osoyoos and craving authentic Thai food, this place is a hidden gem that you should not miss.

  • Ivan Shtogrin

    After waking up in the morning, my family and I went to have breakfast in a small Thai restaurant in this beautiful town. Parking is available. Upon entering, you are met by a very pleasant person. Cozy design in Thai style. A good menu with a very large variety of dishes. The service is fast and high-quality. We liked everything very much. I recommend it for a visit, especially for lovers of Thai cuisine. The morning started on a good note. Thank you.

  • Erica Mountain

    Fabulous! We called ahead to place our order so we wouldn’t have to wait at all. We ordered 2x the food we needed so we’d have leftovers. …

  • Michael Sushi Soucy

    Their service and restaurant atmosphere is great, but their food is good/decent and they serve smaller portions. Left hungry after ordering an appetizer and meal to myself. Good Thai restaurant for a small town and for stopping on road …

  • Matthew F (Matt)

    My go too stop when im back home for a visit. My wife loves the special fried rice and I always get the same also. Not that the other stuff isn't good but they just do some things perfect. Its a little expensive and some of the portions …

  • Erick Crudele

    A neighbor of mine said we should go here once we arrive in Keremeos. Now we did that, the place looked nice and and cozy. Waitress was fine but busy due to not many staff so getting her attention was difficult. I am not a Thai guy but …

  • bokoboko

    The best Thai food in the town! Very authentic. We are visitors and randomly got here, but it was so amazing. We go back here two days in a row 🫶🏻💗 looking to come here again next year …

  • Linda Wilson

    I found the food, restaurant and service to be excellent. The atmosphere was also very comfortable. Sakchai Chaicom was extremely helpful to me personally when I left my purse at …

  • Patnischa Jugwanna

    The warm atmosphere and comforting food made me feel right at home, like a meal that warms both your stomach and your heart. If you are visiting Osoyoos and craving authentic Thai food, this place is a hidden gem that you should not miss.

  • Ivan Shtogrin

    After waking up in the morning, my family and I went to have breakfast in a small Thai restaurant in this beautiful town. Parking is available. Upon entering, you are met by a very pleasant person. Cozy design in Thai style. A good menu …

  • Maggie Kean

    A cute little Thai place we stopped at for lunch while in Keremeos. The service was a little slow especially since no one else where there. Loved their lunch special as I got to try a few of their dishes in one meal. The curry was …

  • Joanne Parenteau

    We ordered take out Pad Thai chicken, then we ate it in a nearby park. There are washrooms in the park and shade from several mature Ponderosa Pine trees estimated to be over 150 years old. (Really awesome old trees) I had a dog with me so …

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