Taco Mex
162 King St W, Hamilton ON L8P 1A5 · Food Take Out
Inspection summary
Taco Mex has been inspected 4 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since March 18, 2025. The most recent inspection, on June 16, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.
None of the 4 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 7 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing and Handwashing and staff hygiene.
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.
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 June 16, 2026. For example:
Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
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 June 5, 2026. For example:
Multi-service articles and food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized after each use and following operations where contamination may have occurred
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 once on June 5, 2026. For example:
Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 16, 2026. For example:
Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
Food safety training and certificationLower risk
Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.
Recorded once on October 6, 2025. For example:
Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
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.
4 inspections
- Re-inspection
2 infractions
- Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
- Refrigeration and hot-holding equipment maintained
- Provide easily readable thermometer in refrigeration or hot-holding equipment
- Routine Inspection
5 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
- Provide soap in a dispenser at hand basin in the food preparation area
- Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
- Maintain and arrange furniture to permit a clean and sanitary condition
- Maintain and arrange equipment to permit a clean and sanitary condition
- Maintain and arrange appliances to permit a clean and sanitary condition
- Remove all materials not associated with the daily operation of the premises
- Illumination maintained in food premise as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 332/12 (Building Code)
- Multi-service articles and food contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized after each use and following operations where contamination may have occurred
- Hot holding: minimum of 60°C (140°F) after cooking / rapid re-heating
- Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers
- Routine Inspection
1 infraction
- Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
- Hand washing station must be used only for hand washing of employees
- Ensure hand washing basin is unobstructed and accessible for hand washing
- Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
- Routine Inspection
1 infraction
- Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
- Provide and use test reagent to determine concentration of sanitizer
- Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer
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