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Happy Tree House BBQ Restaurant

3502 Kingsway, Vancouver BC V5R 5L7 · Food Service Establishment 1

Official record from Vancouver Coastal →

Inspection summary

Happy Tree House BBQ Restaurant has been inspected 23 times by Vancouver Coastal Health since December 5, 2017. The most recent inspection, on June 3, 2026, found no infractions.

6 of 23 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 4 infractions recorded. 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 12 times across 11 separate inspections, most recently on May 20, 2026. For example: The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.

  • 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 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on January 11, 2023. For example: Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to 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 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on September 1, 2021. For example: Potentially hazardous food is thawed in a manner that makes it safe to eat.

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 20, 2026. For example: Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.

  • Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk

    Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.

    Recorded once on August 11, 2025. For example: Chemicals, cleansers and similar agents are kept separate from food.

About this data

These results come from Vancouver Coastal Health, 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.

23 inspections

  1. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  2. Routine

    3 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not in adequate repair.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not maintained/used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Employees are not washing hands as often as is necessary to prevent contamination of food.
  3. Routine

    1 infraction

    • Food is cooked/processed in a manner that makes it safe to eat
  4. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  5. Routine

    5 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not in adequate repair or in sanitary condition.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution is not present or at an improper concentration.
    • Operator of a food service establishment has developed, maintained, and followed approved written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur.
      • Procedures in the food safety plan are not being followed.
    • Operator of a food service establishment has approved written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
    • Chemicals, cleansers and similar agents are kept separate from food.
      • Non-food containers are not clearly labelled to identify contents.
  6. Routine

    0 infractions

  7. Routine

    3 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not in adequate repair or in sanitary condition.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
  8. Routine

    1 infraction

    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
  9. Routine

    4 infractions

    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
      • Food is not protected from contamination during transportation, display, storage or preparation.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
    • The required public health warning by the Medical Health Officer is displayed on a display card at the table or in the menu.
      • No public health warning display card or menu warning is available on the table or displayed in the menu.
    • Food safety plan and records for raw oyster service are kept and are able to provide accurate information upon request during an investigation.
      • The receiving and/or tracking logs for deliveries do not contain sufficient information.
  10. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  11. Routine

    3 infractions

    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Mechanical dishwasher/glasswasher does not provide sufficient washing and/or sanitizing action to remove contamination.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
  12. Routine Follow-up

    2 infractions

    • A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
      • No employee present holds a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
  13. Routine

    7 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
    • A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
      • No employee present holds a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
    • Potentially hazardous food is thawed in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution is not present or at an improper concentration.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
      • Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
  14. Request

    11 infractions

    • Maximum number of patrons that can be accommodated on the premises has been determined
    • Maximum number of patrons that can be accommodated on the premises is appropriate for the space
    • Maximum number of patrons and staff on premises is monitored at all times
    • No events over 50 people on premises
    • 2m separation maintained between patrons of different parties, except when partition in place
    • 2m separation maintained between patrons and staff, except when partition in place
    • Maximum of 6 patrons per table
    • Physical devices or markers are used to assist patrons in maintaining physical distance
    • COVID-19 Safety Plan developed and in use
    • COVID-19 Safety Plan contains the maximum number of patrons that can be accommodated
    • Reservation contact information is kept for 30 days: First name, last name, and phone number or email of at least one member of every party
  15. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  16. Routine

    1 infraction

    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
  17. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  18. Routine

    5 infractions

    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
    • Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
  19. Routine Follow-up

    2 infractions

    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
  20. Routine

    4 infractions

    • Potentially hazardous food is thawed in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
  21. Routine Follow-up

    3 infractions

    • A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
  22. Routine

    8 infractions

    • Operation of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
    • A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
      • No employee present hold a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
    • Potentially hazardous food is thawed in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution is not present or at insufficient concentration.
    • Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing stations are inadequate in number and location, preventing accessibility to all food handlers.
    • An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
    • A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
  23. Routine

    3 infractions

    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
    • All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
      • Sanitizing solution is not present or at insufficient concentration.
    • Each employee washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.

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