The Garage
3 Stanley Ave, Merlin ON N0P 1W0 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
The Garage has been inspected 25 times by Chatham-Kent Public Health since February 8, 2013. The most recent inspection, on May 15, 2026, found no infractions.
17 of 25 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing and Pests.
The last 3 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.
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 December 22, 2022. For example:
Potentially hazardous food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less s. 27(1) a
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 June 27, 2024. For example:
Food contact surfaces are cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to maintain them in a sanitary condition s. 16, 21, 22.
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 once on May 29, 2019. For example:
Premises is adequately protected against the entry and harbourage of pests. s. 13
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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on December 12, 2024. For example:
Observed certified Food Handler employee working at time of inspection s. 32
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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 23, 2022. For example:
Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair s. 7(1)c, d, g
About this data
These results come from Chatham-Kent 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.
25 inspections
- Required
0 infractions
- Required
0 infractions
- Required
0 infractions
- Required
1 infraction
- Observed certified Food Handler employee working at time of inspection s. 32
- Register staff for a certified food handler training program such that at least one certified staff member is present in the food premises during all hours of food service operation
- Maintain copies of valid food handler certificates from certified staff on site at all times
- Observed certified Food Handler employee working at time of inspection s. 32
- Required
1 infraction
- Food contact surfaces are cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to maintain them in a sanitary condition s. 16, 21, 22.
- Required
1 infraction
- Premises is equipped with an adequate number of hand washing stations that are maintained, kept adequately supplied, and situated for convenient access by food handlers s. 7(3)c, 7(4).
- Ensure hand washing stations are kept adequately supplied with soap and paper towel dispensers
- Premises is equipped with an adequate number of hand washing stations that are maintained, kept adequately supplied, and situated for convenient access by food handlers s. 7(3)c, 7(4).
- Required
0 infractions
- Required
1 infraction
- Potentially hazardous food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less s. 27(1) a
- Adjust or repair the refrigeration unit immediately. Do not store any potentially hazardous foods in the unit until it is able to maintain 4°C (40°F) or less
- Potentially hazardous food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less s. 27(1) a
- Required
1 infraction
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair s. 7(1)c, d, g
- Cleaning required around, under, and behind kitchen equipment, counters, and baseboards
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair s. 7(1)c, d, g
- Required
0 infractions
- Required
1 infraction
- Premises is adequately protected against the entry and harbourage of pests. s. 13
- Ensure the premises is adequately protected against the entry of pests.
- Premises is adequately protected against the entry and harbourage of pests. s. 13
- Follow-up
0 infractions
- Required
4 infractions
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair. s. 7(1)c, d, g
- Cleaning required around, under, and behind kitchen equipment, counters, and baseboards.
- General housekeeping is satisfactory. s. 7(1)e, f
- Premises is equipped with an adequate number of hand washing stations that are maintained, kept adequately supplied, and situated for convenient access by food handlers. s. 7(3)c, 7(4).
- Ensure hand washing stations are used only for employee hand washing.
- Ensure access to handwash station is unimpeded.
- All equipment, utensils, and multi-service articles used for food production, display, or sale purposes are properly constructed and maintained. s. 8
- Ensure all equipment, utensils, and surfaces are free from cracks, crevices, and open seams.
- Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair. s. 7(1)c, d, g
- Required
0 infractions
- Required
0 infractions
- Required
0 infractions
- Required
0 infractions
- Required
0 infractions
- Required
0 infractions
- Required
0 infractions
- Required
0 infractions
- Required
1 infraction
- Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less s.32 / 33
- Ensure all hazardous foods are stored at 4°C (40°F) or less
- Adjust or repair the refrigeration unit immediately. Do not store any hazardous foods in the unit until it is able to maintain hazardous foods at 4°C (40°F) or less
- Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less s.32 / 33
- Required
0 infractions
- Required
0 infractions
- Required
0 infractions
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