SAM JAMES COFFEE BAR
297 Harbord St · Food Premises
Inspection summary
SAM JAMES COFFEE BAR has been inspected 6 times by Toronto Public Health since June 7, 2024. The most recent inspection, on October 5, 2026, found no infractions.
2 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 4 inspections with 6 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing.
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 once on October 1, 2026. For example:
MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / UTENSILS / EQUIPMENT
Equipment and utensilsLower risk
Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.
Recorded 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 1, 2026. For example:
MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
Permits, records and postingLower risk
Operating permits, required signage, written procedures and logs. These findings are administrative: the documentation was missing or out of date at the time of inspection.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 2, 2026. For example:
ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS
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 April 11, 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.
6 inspections
- Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
3 infractions
- 04. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / UTENSILS / EQUIPMENT
- OPERATE FOOD PREMISE - MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT NOT MAINTAINED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CHEMICAL SOLUTION RINSE - SEC. 20(1)(A)(II)(B)
- 05. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
- FOOD PREMISE NOT MAINTAINED WITH CLEAN FLOORS IN FOOD-HANDLING ROOM - SEC. 7(1)(G)
- 05. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
- FOOD PREMISE NOT MAINTAINED WITH CLEAN WALLS IN FOOD-HANDLING ROOM - SEC. 7(1)(G)
- 04. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / UTENSILS / EQUIPMENT
- Inspection
2 infractions
- 05. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
- FAIL TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER IN REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT - SEC. 30(B)
- ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS
- Fail to ensure completion of food handling training by food handler or supervisor - Sec. 32
- 05. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
- Inspection
1 infraction
- A. OPERATOR FAIL TO MEET ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS OF
- Fail to ensure completion of food handling training by food handler or supervisor - Sec. 32
- A. OPERATOR FAIL TO MEET ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS OF
- Inspection
1 infraction
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Food premise not maintained with walls in good repair in food-handling room - Sec. 7(1)(g)
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Inspection
0 infractions
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