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POKE BOX, THE

#3-255 KING ST N, WATERLOO ON N2J 4V2 · Facility

Official record from Waterloo Region →

Inspection summary

POKE BOX, THE has been inspected 7 times by Region of Waterloo Public Health since October 28, 2024. The most recent inspection, on July 22, 2026, recorded 5 infractions.

1 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 7 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Pests and Protecting food from contamination.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their findings differently, so we group them by what they mean for your health. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Surfaces, dishes and tools that touch food or people must be cleaned and then sanitized or disinfected. Inspectors check sanitizer strength, dishwasher temperatures and how cleaning is done. Poor sanitizing lets germs survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on July 22, 2026. For example: Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are 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, supplies and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 22, 2026. For example: Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food and supplies are stored and handled: kept covered, off the floor, and away from anything that could contaminate them. Where food is served, raw meat must be kept away from ready-to-eat food, a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 7, 2025. For example: Food protected from contamination or adulteration

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are one of the main ways germs spread, from person to person and onto food and surfaces. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing their hands when required, and sick staff being kept away from work where it matters. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded once on July 22, 2026. For example: Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

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

    Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on July 22, 2026. For example: Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes

About this data

These results come from Region of Waterloo 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

  1. Compliance Inspection

    5 infractions

    • Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
      • Provide soap in a dispenser at hand basin in the food preparation area
      • Maintain hand washing stations with adequate supplies
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed and maintained
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are cleaned and sanitized
      • Ensure food contact equipment and utensils are free from cracks, crevices and open seams
      • Ensure ventilation system/exhaust hood/filters/canopy is maintained in a clean and sanitary manner
    • Certified food handler present in the food service premise
      • Ensure a food handler or supervisor, who is a certified food handler, is present during all hours of operation
    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
      • Protect against entry, harbouring and breeding of pests
      • Maintain records of pest control measures taken
      • Contact licensed pest control operator for insect / rodent / pest treatment and control
    • Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
      • Change sanitizing solution for wiping cloths at a minimum of every 2 hours, or as often as necessary, to maintain the solution clean and sanitary at all times
      • Provide sanitizing solution for wiping cloths/rinsing large utensils/rinsing food contact surfaces
  2. Compliance Inspection

    2 infractions

    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed and maintained
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles in good repair
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are cleaned and sanitized
      • Ensure ventilation system/exhaust hood/filters/canopy is maintained in a clean and sanitary manner
    • Food handlers who come into contact with food/utensils do so in a sanitary manner
      • Ensure food handlers wash hands as often as necessary
  3. Compliance Inspection

    2 infractions

    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
      • Cover all food in storage
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed and maintained
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are of sound and tight construction
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles in good repair
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are cleaned and sanitized
      • Ensure food contact equipment and utensils are corrosion-resistant and non-toxic
      • Ensure food contact equipment and utensils are free from cracks, crevices and open seams
      • Ensure ventilation system/exhaust hood/filters/canopy is maintained in a clean and sanitary manner
  4. Re-inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Compliance Inspection

    3 infractions

    • The premises is operated and maintained free from potential/immediate health hazards
      • Provide hot and cold running water under pressure where food is processed, prepared, manufactured or where utensils are cleaned
    • Maintenance of sanitary facilities
      • Equip sanitary facility with a constant supply of hot and cold running water
      • Equip sanitary facility with single service towels or air dryer
    • Food handlers who come into contact with food/utensils do so in a sanitary manner
      • Ensure food handlers wash hands as often as necessary
  6. Compliance Inspection

    4 infractions

    • Food protected from contamination or adulteration
      • Protect food from contamination and adulteration
    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed and maintained
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles in good repair
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are cleaned and sanitized
      • Ensure ventilation system/exhaust hood/filters/canopy is maintained in a clean and sanitary manner
    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
      • Protect against entry, harbouring and breeding of pests
      • Provide tightly sealed entrances and / or screened entrances to prevent the entry of insects, birds, rodents, and other pests
    • Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
      • Provide sanitizing solution for wiping cloths/rinsing large utensils/rinsing food contact surfaces
  7. Compliance Inspection

    2 infractions

    • Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
      • Provide tightly sealed entrances and / or screened entrances to prevent the entry of insects, birds, rodents, and other pests
    • Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
      • Change sanitizing solution for wiping cloths at a minimum of every 2 hours, or as often as necessary, to maintain the solution clean and sanitary at all times

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