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El Grito Mexicano

236 James St N, Hamilton ON · Restaurant

Official record from Hamilton →

Inspection summary

El Grito Mexicano has been inspected 11 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since September 18, 2024. The most recent inspection, on July 2, 2026, found no infractions.

3 of 11 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 5 inspections with 14 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Protecting food from contamination and Pests.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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.

  • 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 7 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on June 29, 2026. For example: Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer

  • 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on June 29, 2026. For example: Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on June 29, 2026. For example: Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests

  • 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 21, 2026. For example: Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 29, 2026. For example: Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers

About this data

These results come from City of Hamilton Public Health Services, 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.

11 inspections

  1. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Routine Inspection

    6 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
      • Cleaning required around, under, and behind kitchen equipment, counters, and baseboards
      • Ensure ceilings are kept clean and in good repair
      • Ensure floors are kept clean and in good repair
      • Ensure walls are kept clean and in good repair
    • Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
      • Hand washing station must be used only for hand washing of employees
    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
      • Protect against entry, harbouring and breeding of pests
    • Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
    • Maintenance of sanitary facilities
      • Equip sanitary facility with liquid soap in a dispenser
    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
      • Adjust or repair the refrigeration unit immediately. Do not store any hazardous foods in the unit until it is able to maintain hazardous foods at 4°C (40°F) or less
      • Ensure all hazardous foods are stored at 4°C (40°F) or less
  3. Re-inspection

    2 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
      • Cleaning required around, under, and behind kitchen equipment, counters, and baseboards
      • Ensure floors are kept clean and in good repair
      • Ensure walls are kept clean and in good repair
    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
  4. Routine Inspection

    6 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
      • Cleaning required around, under, and behind kitchen equipment, counters, and baseboards
      • Ensure floors are kept clean and in good repair
      • Ensure walls are kept clean and in good repair
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are of sound and tight construction
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles in good repair
      • Ensure food contact equipment and utensils are free from cracks, crevices and open seams
    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
    • Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
    • Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
      • Provide and use test reagent to determine concentration of sanitizer
    • Mechanical dishwashing: Wash / rinse water clean, water temperature, timing cycles, sanitizer
      • Chlorine sanitizer concentration must be at least 100 parts per million at 24°C or greater for at least 45 seconds
  5. Complaint

    0 infractions

  6. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Routine Inspection

    4 infractions

    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
    • Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
      • Provide easily readable thermometer in refrigeration or hot-holding equipment
  8. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
      • Retain pest control records for one year
      • Evidence of minor insect / rodent activity
      • Provide tightly sealed entrances and / or screened entrances to prevent the entry of insects, birds, rodents, and other pests
  9. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
    • Multi-service articles and food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized after each use and following operations where contamination may have occurred
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
  10. Routine Inspection

    2 infractions

    • Multi-service articles and food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized after each use and following operations where contamination may have occurred
    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
  11. Routine Inspection

    2 infractions

    • Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
      • Provide easily readable thermometer in refrigeration or hot-holding equipment
    • Certified food handler present in the food service premise
      • Ensure certified food handler or supervisor is present during all hours of operation

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