MARATHON CAFE
30 Isabella St · Food Premises
Inspection summary
MARATHON CAFE has been inspected 7 times by Toronto Public Health since December 28, 2023. The most recent inspection, on September 17, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.
2 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 9 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food temperature control.
Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.
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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 17, 2026. For example:
MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / UTENSILS / EQUIPMENT
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 on May 1, 2026. For example:
EMPLOYEE HYGIENE AND HANDWASHING
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 once on May 1, 2026. For example:
FOOD TEMPERATURE CONTROL / FOOD PROCESSING
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 May 1, 2026. For example:
FOOD PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION
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 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 7, 2025. For example:
Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
About this data
These results come from Toronto 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
- Inspection
2 infractions
- 04. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / UTENSILS / EQUIPMENT
- SANITIZE UTENSILS IN CHLORINE SOLUTION OF LESS THAN 100 P.P.M. OF AVAILABLE CHLORINE - SEC. 19(B)
- 05. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
- Fail to protect against entry of pests - Sec. 13(1)
- 04. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / UTENSILS / EQUIPMENT
- Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
7 infractions
- 01. FOOD TEMPERATURE CONTROL / FOOD PROCESSING
- Store potentially hazardous foods at internal temperature between 4°C and 60°C - Sec. 27(1)
- 02. FOOD PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION
- Fail to protect food from contamination or adulteration - Sec. 26(1)
- 03. EMPLOYEE HYGIENE AND HANDWASHING
- Fail to ensure food handler in food premise washes hands as necessary to prevent contamination of food - Sec. 33(1)(e)
- 03. EMPLOYEE HYGIENE AND HANDWASHING
- FAIL TO ENSURE FOOD HANDLER IN FOOD PREMISE PROTECTS AGAINST CONTAMINATION BY HAIR - SEC. 33(1)(D)
- 04. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / UTENSILS / EQUIPMENT
- Operate food premise - fail to provide equipment for cleaning and sanitizing utensils as required - Sec. 18
- 05. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
- FOOD PREMISE NOT MAINTAINED WITH FOOD HANDLING ROOM IN SANITARY CONDITION - SEC. 7(1)(E)
- ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS
- Fail to ensure presence of food handler or supervisor during all hours of operation - Sec. 32
- 01. FOOD TEMPERATURE CONTROL / FOOD PROCESSING
- Inspection
3 infractions
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Food premise not maintained to permit sanitary maintenance of walls - Sec. 7(1)(d)
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- FOOD PREMISE NOT MAINTAINED WITH FOOD HANDLING ROOM IN SANITARY CONDITION - SEC. 7(1)(E)
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- FAIL TO ENSURE EQUIPMENT SURFACE SANITIZED AS NECESSARY - SEC. 22
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Inspection
1 infraction
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- FOOD PREMISE NOT MAINTAINED WITH FOOD HANDLING ROOM IN SANITARY CONDITION - SEC. 7(1)(E)
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Inspection
1 infraction
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- FAIL TO ENSURE EQUIPMENT SURFACE SANITIZED AS NECESSARY - SEC. 22
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Inspection
0 infractions
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