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MONTANAS COOKHOUSE AND BAR

194 CHAIN LAKE, HALIFAX · Food Establishment

Official record from Nova Scotia →

Inspection summary

MONTANAS COOKHOUSE AND BAR has been inspected 6 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since October 31, 2023. The most recent inspection, on January 14, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

2 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 4 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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.

  • 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on January 14, 2026. For example: 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.

  • 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 December 2, 2025. For example: 23(2)(b) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to (b) control temperature, humidity, air flow and any other condition that is likely to have a detrimental effect on food safety.

  • 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 once on October 31, 2023. For example: 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;

  • 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 October 31, 2023. For example: 34 An operator must ensure that a food establishment is operated so that all food and food ingredients are processed, manufactured, handled, prepared, packaged, served, sold, offered for sale or distribution free of charge, dispensed, displayed and stored in a manner that prevents contamination and adulteration.

About this data

These results come from Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program), 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. Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.
      • Fill hole in the wall behind booth 31; fill gaps observed between walls and vertical beams in the dining room; fill the crack between the wall and the liquor cabinet; install metal mesh over floor drains; fill holes in the in/out stand cabinets.
    • 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
      • Clean and sanitizer perimeter (at floor/wall junctions) in the dining room and kitchen.
  2. Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 23(2)(b) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to (b) control temperature, humidity, air flow and any other condition that is likely to have a detrimental effect on food safety.
      • Repair cooler drawer in the prep cooler across from the cookline so that it closes completely.
    • 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
      • Clean and sanitize the following areas where a few rodent droppings were observed: on the floor by the staff washroom, on the floor under the pop stand, and on the floor at the far end of the bar.
  3. Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.
      • Hole observed in the tile grout at the bottom left corner of the back receiving door. Fill hole to prevent entry and movement of pests.
    • 23(2)(b) Equipment used to cook, heat-treat, cool, store, display or freeze food must be designed to (b) control temperature, humidity, air flow and any other condition that is likely to have a detrimental effect on food safety.
      • Ambient air temperature of the expo fridge measured 12.0 degrees Celsius. Potentially hazardous foods moved to another functioning unit at time of inspection. Contact service technician to service expo fridge to ensure temperatures are maintained at 4 degrees Celsius or below.
    • 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
      • Perimeter cleaning and sanitizing required in the back kitchen prep/storage areas.
  5. Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 29(2)(a) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (a) the food establishment and equipment are maintained, cleaned and sanitized;
      • Debris build-up observed on the following non-food contact surfaces: interior surfaces of the reach-in coolers across from the cookline, temperature adjustment knobs on the hot holding unit, and on the spray basket in the dish pit. Clean and sanitize areas to remove debris build-up.
    • 34 An operator must ensure that a food establishment is operated so that all food and food ingredients are processed, manufactured, handled, prepared, packaged, served, sold, offered for sale or distribution free of charge, dispensed, displayed and stored in a manner that prevents contamination and adulteration.
      • Mold observed on the interior surfaces of the ice machine. Clean and sanitize the ice machine following the manufacturers instructions.

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