Johnny Rocco's Italian Grill
271 Merritt St, St. Catharines ON L2T 1K1 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
Johnny Rocco's Italian Grill has been inspected 7 times by Niagara Region Public Health since January 9, 2025. The most recent inspection, on August 14, 2026, found no infractions.
4 of 7 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: Protecting food from contamination, Cleaning and sanitizing 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.
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 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 13, 2026. For example:
Food storage racks, shelves or pallets are readily cleanable.
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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 13, 2026. For example:
Mechanical dishwashing is properly constructed, designed and maintained.
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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 13, 2026. For example:
Equipment used for refrigeration or hot holding contain accurate indicating thermometers.
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 August 13, 2026. For example:
An adequate number of handwashing stations are provided, conveniently accessible for food handlers, and used only for handwashing of employees.
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 once on June 10, 2025. For example:
Floors, walls and ceiling are well maintained and in good repair.
About this data
These results come from Niagara Region Public 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.
7 inspections
- Re-inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
4 infractions
- Food storage racks, shelves or pallets are readily cleanable.
- Equipment used for refrigeration or hot holding contain accurate indicating thermometers.
- An adequate number of handwashing stations are provided, conveniently accessible for food handlers, and used only for handwashing of employees.
- Mechanical dishwashing is properly constructed, designed and maintained.
- Routine Inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
0 infractions
- Re-inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
6 infractions
- Floors, walls and ceiling are well maintained and in good repair.
- Utensils are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
- Cold holding is adequate and maintained at 4°C (40°F) or lower.
- Mechanical dishwashing is properly constructed, designed and maintained.
- Food is protected from potential contamination (e.g. food covered, labelled, off floor, sneeze guard).
- Raw food is separate from cooked and/or ready-to-eat foods during storage and handling.
- Routine Inspection
2 infractions
- An adequate number of handwashing stations are maintained and kept adequately supplied and are situated for convenient access by food handlers.
- Mechanical dishwashing is properly constructed, designed and maintained.
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