THE FAMOUS OWL OF MINERVA
280 Spadina Ave · Food Premises
Inspection summary
THE FAMOUS OWL OF MINERVA has been inspected 10 times by Toronto Public Health since February 7, 2024. The most recent inspection, on August 26, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.
3 of 10 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 4 inspections with 8 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Protecting food from contamination and Handwashing and staff hygiene.
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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 2, 2026. For example:
PEST CONTROL
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 July 11, 2025. For example:
Food protected from contamination / adulteration (e.g. food
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 February 7, 2024. For example:
Separate and convenient hand washing sink(s)
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 9 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on November 3, 2025. For example:
Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 26, 2026. For example:
MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
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.
10 inspections
- Inspection
2 infractions
- 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
- Operate food premise - appliances not constructed to permit maintenance in sanitary condition - Sec. 9
- 05. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
- Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
3 infractions
- 05. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
- FOOD PREMISE NOT MAINTAINED WITH FOOD HANDLING ROOM IN SANITARY CONDITION - SEC. 7(1)(E)
- 05. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
- FAIL TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER IN REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT - SEC. 30(B)
- 08. PEST CONTROL
- Fail to protect against harbouring of pests - Sec. 13(1)
- 05. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
- Inspection
3 infractions
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Food premise not maintained with ceilings in good repair in food-handling room - Sec. 7(1)(g)
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- FAIL TO ENSURE EQUIPMENT SURFACE SANITIZED AS NECESSARY - SEC. 22
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- FOOD PREMISE NOT MAINTAINED WITH CLEAN FLOORS IN FOOD-HANDLING ROOM - SEC. 7(1)(G)
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
6 infractions
- 2B. Food protected from contamination / adulteration (e.g. food
- Fail to protect food from contamination or adulteration - Sec. 26(1)
- 8A. Adequate pest control
- Fail to protect against harbouring of pests - Sec. 13(1)
- 8A. Adequate pest control
- Fail to maintain records of pest control measures taken - Sec. 13(2)
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- FAIL TO ENSURE EQUIPMENT SURFACE SANITIZED AS NECESSARY - SEC. 22
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Fail to maintain ventilation system to ensure elimination of fumes - Sec. 11
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- FOOD PREMISE NOT MAINTAINED WITH CLEAN FLOORS IN FOOD-HANDLING ROOM - SEC. 7(1)(G)
- 2B. Food protected from contamination / adulteration (e.g. food
- Inspection
3 infractions
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- FAIL TO ENSURE EQUIPMENT SURFACE SANITIZED AS NECESSARY - SEC. 22
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- FOOD PREMISE NOT MAINTAINED WITH CLEAN FLOORS IN FOOD-HANDLING ROOM - SEC. 7(1)(G)
- A. OPERATOR FAIL TO MEET ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS OF
- Fail to ensure presence of food handler or supervisor during all hours of operation - Sec. 32
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Inspection
1 infraction
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Fail to maintain ventilation system to ensure elimination of fumes - Sec. 11
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
2 infractions
- 3A. Separate and convenient hand washing sink(s)
- FAIL TO MAINTAIN HANDWASHING STATIONS (LIQUID SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS) - SEC. 7(3)(C)
- A. OPERATOR FAIL TO MEET ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS OF
- Fail to ensure presence of food handler or supervisor during all hours of operation - Sec. 32
- 3A. Separate and convenient hand washing sink(s)
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