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Hook and Ladder Family Dining

3119 Muskoka Rd 169, Bala ON P0C 1A0 · Restaurant

Official record from Simcoe-Muskoka →

Inspection summary

Hook and Ladder Family Dining has been inspected 6 times by Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit since October 29, 2024. The most recent inspection, on July 23, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.

None of the 6 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 10 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing 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 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on July 23, 2026. For example: Internal temperature of potentially hazardous food maintained at 4° Celsius or lower.

  • 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 August 6, 2025. For example: Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces must be properly constructed and maintained.

  • 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 March 18, 2026. For example: Pest control shall be maintained in a food premise as prescribed in the regulation.

  • 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 once on July 23, 2026. For example: Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed in a clean and sanitary manner.

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on July 23, 2026. For example: Floors, walls and ceilings are clean and in good repair

About this data

These results come from Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, 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.

6 inspections

  1. Routine

    3 infractions

    • Floors, walls and ceilings are clean and in good repair
      • Food premises not maintained with clean ceilings and/or in good repair
      • Food premises not maintained with clean floors and/or in good repair
      • Food premises not maintained with clean walls and/or in good repair
    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed in a clean and sanitary manner.
      • Fail to maintain and arrange equipment in clean and sanitary condition
    • Internal temperature of potentially hazardous food maintained at 4° Celsius or lower.
      • Fail to maintain potentially hazardous foods at internal temperature of 4° Celsius or lower
  2. Routine

    3 infractions

    • Floors, walls and ceilings are clean and in good repair
      • Food premises not maintained with clean floors and/or in good repair
    • General Housekeeping Satisfactory
      • Fail to maintain the premises in a clean and sanitary manner
    • Pest control shall be maintained in a food premise as prescribed in the regulation.
      • Fail to maintain records of pest control measures taken
      • Fail to protect against entry, harbouring and breeding of pests
  3. Routine

    4 infractions

    • General Housekeeping Satisfactory
      • Fail to maintain the premises in a clean and sanitary manner
    • Pest control shall be maintained in a food premise as prescribed in the regulation.
      • Fail to protect against entry, harbouring and breeding of pests
    • Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained.
      • Fail to provide easily readable thermometer in refrigeration or hot-holding equipment
    • Food handler completed food handler training.
      • Fail to ensure completion of food handler training by food handler or supervisor
  4. Routine

    3 infractions

    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces must be properly constructed and maintained.
      • Used equipment, utensils, and multi-service articles not suitable for intended purposes
    • Internal temperature of potentially hazardous food maintained at 4° Celsius or lower.
      • Fail to maintain potentially hazardous foods at internal temperature of 4° Celsius or lower
    • Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained.
      • Fail to provide easily readable thermometer in refrigeration or hot-holding equipment
  5. Routine

    2 infractions

    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces must be properly constructed and maintained.
      • Fail to use food contact equipment and or utensils that are free from cracks, crevices and open seams
    • Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained.
      • Fail to provide easily readable thermometer in refrigeration or hot-holding equipment
  6. Routine

    5 infractions

    • Food premises shall be equipped and maintained as prescribed in the regulation.
      • Handwashing station used other than for handwashing of employees
    • Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer.
      • Fail to use or provide test reagent to determine concentration of sanitizer
    • Utensils sanitized manually as prescribed in the regulation.
      • Fail to sanitize utensils in chlorine solution at 100 parts per million at 24° Celsius for at least 45 seconds
    • Operator practiced safe food handling to ensure food is safe to eat.
      • Fail to protect food from contamination and/or adulteration
      • Improper thawing
    • Internal temperature of potentially hazardous food maintained at 4° Celsius or lower.
      • Fail to maintain potentially hazardous foods at internal temperature of 4° Celsius or lower

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