Rincon Paisa
958 Upper Wellington St, Hamilton ON L9A 3S2 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
Rincon Paisa has been inspected 13 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since March 24, 2022. The most recent inspection, on September 29, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.
3 of 13 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 8 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.
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.
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 9 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on September 29, 2026. For example:
Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
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 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on March 13, 2026. For example:
Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 6, 2025. For example:
Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 19, 2025. For example:
Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
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 October 22, 2024. For example:
Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
About this data
These results come from City of Hamilton Public Health Services, 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.
13 inspections
- Routine Inspection
1 infraction
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Routine Inspection
4 infractions
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are cleaned and sanitized
- Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
- Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Routine Inspection
3 infractions
- Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
- Provide paper towels in a dispenser at hand basin in food preparation area
- Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
- Provide and use test reagent to determine concentration of sanitizer
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Handle raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods, on separate preparation surfaces, and with separate utensils to prevent contamination
- Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
- Re-inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
7 infractions
- Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
- Hand washing station must be used only for hand washing of employees
- 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
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles in good repair
- Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are cleaned and sanitized
- Manual dishwashing: Wash, rinse, sanitize technique
- Chlorine sanitizer concentration must be at least 100 parts per million at 24°C or greater for at least 45 seconds
- Ensure manual dishwashing includes the three steps: wash, rinse, and sanitize
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Store raw foods separate and below cooked / ready-to-eat foods
- Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
- Provide easily readable thermometer in refrigeration or hot-holding equipment
- Certified food handler present in the food service premise
- Ensure certified food handler or supervisor is present during all hours of operation
- Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
- Re-inspection
0 infractions
- Complaint
2 infractions
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Ensure floors are kept clean and in good repair
- Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
- Contact licensed pest control operator for insect / rodent / pest treatment and control
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Routine Inspection
5 infractions
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Ensure floors are kept clean and in good repair
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Ensure equipment, utensils, and multi-service articles are suitable for intended purposes (food-grade)
- Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests
- Evidence of minor insect / rodent activity
- Provide tightly sealed entrances and / or screened entrances to prevent the entry of insects, birds, rodents, and other pests
- Toxic or poisonous substances required for maintenance in food premises are stored and handled as prescribed in the regulation
- Store toxic/poisonous substances in container bearing identifying labels
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Store raw foods separate and below cooked / ready-to-eat foods
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Routine Inspection
2 infractions
- Garbage and waste (solid or liquid) collected and removed to ensure sanitary condition of premise
- Collect and remove garbage and waste as necessary to maintain sanitary conditions
- Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
- Ensure all hazardous foods are stored at 4°C (40°F) or less
- Garbage and waste (solid or liquid) collected and removed to ensure sanitary condition of premise
- Routine Inspection
2 infractions
- Illumination maintained in food premise as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 332/12 (Building Code)
- Food protected from contamination or adulteration
- Store raw foods separate and below cooked / ready-to-eat foods
- Routine Inspection
1 infraction
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
- Routine Inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
3 infractions
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
- Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles in good repair
- Hot holding: minimum of 60°C (140°F) after cooking / rapid re-heating
- Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
- Provide easily readable thermometer in refrigeration or hot-holding equipment
- Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
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