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Gown and Gavel Restaurant Inc.

24 Hess St S, Hamilton ON L8P 3M8 · Restaurant

Official record from Hamilton →

Inspection summary

Gown and Gavel Restaurant Inc. has been inspected 13 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since May 27, 2022. The most recent inspection, on June 2, 2026, found no infractions.

2 of 13 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 3 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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.

  • 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 12 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on January 20, 2026. For example: Food protected from contamination or adulteration

  • 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 January 20, 2026. For example: Hot holding: minimum of 60°C (140°F) after cooking / rapid re-heating

  • 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 6 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on May 6, 2025. For example: Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 12, 2025. For example: Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests

  • 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 December 19, 2022. For example: Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers

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.

13 inspections

  1. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Routine Inspection

    3 infractions

    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
      • Maintain and arrange appliances to permit a clean and sanitary condition
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Store and handle ice in a sanitary manner
    • Hot holding: minimum of 60°C (140°F) after cooking / rapid re-heating
      • Ensure food is held above 60°C (140°F) after cooking / rapid re-heating
  3. Routine Inspection

    4 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
      • Ensure floors are kept clean and in good repair
    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
      • Remove all materials not associated with the daily operation of the premises
    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
      • 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
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
      • Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
  4. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
      • 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
  5. Routine Inspection

    2 infractions

    • Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
      • Provide and use test reagent to determine concentration of sanitizer
    • Certified food handler present in the food service premise
      • Ensure certified food handler or supervisor is present during all hours of operation
  6. Routine Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 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
    • Certified food handler present in the food service premise
      • Ensure certified food handler or supervisor is present during all hours of operation
  7. Routine Inspection

    3 infractions

    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
      • Provide tightly sealed entrances and / or screened entrances to prevent the entry of insects, birds, rodents, and other pests
    • Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Store raw foods separate and below cooked / ready-to-eat foods
  8. Routine Inspection

    2 infractions

    • Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
    • Certified food handler present in the food service premise
      • Ensure certified food handler or supervisor is present during all hours of operation
  9. Routine Inspection

    5 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
    • Ventilation is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke, or excessive heat
    • Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
    • Certified food handler present in the food service premise
  10. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  11. 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, walls, and ceilings are tight, smooth, and non-absorbent
      • Ensure walls are kept clean and in good repair
    • 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
      • Ensure clean wash / rinse water is provided
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
    • 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
    • Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
      • Provide easily readable thermometer in refrigeration or hot-holding equipment
    • Food handlers who come into contact with food/utensils shall do so in a sanitary manner
      • Ensure food handlers wash hands as often as necessary
  12. Routine Inspection

    5 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
    • Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
      • Provide paper towels in a dispenser at hand basin in food preparation area
    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
    • 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
    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Cover all food in storage
      • Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
  13. Routine Inspection

    4 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
    • 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
      • Store food off the floor to prevent contamination
    • Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
      • Provide easily readable thermometer in refrigeration or hot-holding equipment

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