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THE LOWERTOWN BREW PUB

73 YORK ST OTTAWA ON K1N 5T2 · Food Safety

Official record from Ottawa →

Inspection summary

THE LOWERTOWN BREW PUB has been inspected 15 times by Ottawa Public Health since March 4, 2024. The most recent inspection, on October 14, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.

2 of 15 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 5 inspections with 15 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Food temperature control 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.

  • 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 7 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on October 14, 2026. For example: All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.

  • 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 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on October 24, 2025. For example: Potentially hazardous foods are distributed, maintained, stored, transported, displayed, sold and offered for sale in which the internal temperature is at 4°C (40°F) or lower or 60°C (140°F) or higher.

  • 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on October 24, 2025. For example: Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.

  • 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 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on March 19, 2025. For example: Multi-service utensils shall be cleaned and sanitized after each use.

  • 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 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 13, 2025. For example: The food premise is protected against the entry of pests and kept free of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.

About this data

These results come from Ottawa 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.

15 inspections

  1. Required

    3 infractions

    • Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • The walls and ceilings of rooms and passageways must be readily cleaned and must be maintained in a sanitary condition.
    • Utensils shall be sanitized through the use of an approved chemical solution or hot water for the required contact time and temperature.
      • Sanitize utensils in a clean quaternary ammonium solution of not less than 200 parts per million at a temperature not lower than 24°C for at least 45 seconds.
    • All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.
      • Store and handle ice used in the processing of food or drink in a sanitary manner.
  2. Required

    3 infractions

    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in any room or place where food is prepared, handled, displayed, sold or offered for sale is constructed and arranged to permit thorough cleaning of the room and maintaining it in a clean and sanitary condition.
      • Construct and arrange the the room in a manner permitting thorough cleaning.
      • Construct and arrange the room in a manner to permit maintaining the room or place in a clean and sanitary condition.
    • Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • The walls and ceilings of rooms and passageways must be readily cleaned and must be maintained in a sanitary condition.
    • Utensils shall be sanitized through the use of an approved chemical solution or hot water for the required contact time and temperature.
      • Sanitize utensils in a clean quaternary ammonium solution of not less than 200 parts per million at a temperature not lower than 24°C for at least 45 seconds.
  3. Required

    2 infractions

    • Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • The walls and ceilings of rooms and passageways must be readily cleaned and must be maintained in a sanitary condition.
    • Every operator of a food service premise ensures that there is at least one food handler or supervisor on the premise who has completed food handler training during every hour in which the premise is operating.
      • Operator must ensure that there is at least one food handler or supervisor on the premise who has completed food handler training.
      • For further information, please visit www.ottawapublichealth.ca; Search phrase: Certified Food Handler Training
      • Failure to comply may result in legal action.
  4. Required

    0 infractions

  5. Required

    7 infractions

    • Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
      • Provide an adequate number of hand washing stations that are maintained and kept adequately supplied and that are situated for convenient access by food handlers.
    • All equipment, utensils and multi-service articles that are used for food preparation in the food premise are of sound and tight construction, in good repair and suitable for their intended use.
      • All the equipment, utensils and multi-service articles used in the food premise must be kept in good repair.
    • The levels of illumination required are maintained in the food premise during all hours of operation.
      • Maintain the levels of illumination required under Ontario Regulation 332/12 (Building Code) during all hours of operation.
    • Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • The floors, walls and ceilings of every room where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept clean and in good repair.
    • Every operator of a food service premise ensures that there is at least one food handler or supervisor on the premise who has completed food handler training during every hour in which the premise is operating.
      • Operator must ensure that there is at least one food handler or supervisor on the premise who has completed food handler training.
    • Potentially hazardous foods are distributed, maintained, stored, transported, displayed, sold and offered for sale in which the internal temperature is at 4°C (40°F) or lower or 60°C (140°F) or higher.
      • Keep potentially hazardous foods at an internal temperature of 4°C (40°F) or lower.
    • All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.
      • Protect all food from contamination and adulteration.
  6. Follow-up

    2 infractions

    • All equipment, utensils and multi-service articles that are used for food preparation in the food premise are of sound and tight construction, in good repair and suitable for their intended use.
      • All the equipment, utensils and multi-service articles used in the food premise must be kept in good repair.
      • All the equipment, utensils and multi-service articles used in the food premise must be suitable for their intended purpose.
    • All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.
      • Store and handle ice used in the processing of food or drink in a sanitary manner.
  7. Required

    5 infractions

    • Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
      • Provide an adequate number of hand washing stations that are maintained and kept adequately supplied and that are situated for convenient access by food handlers.
    • All equipment, utensils and multi-service articles that are used for food preparation in the food premise are of sound and tight construction, in good repair and suitable for their intended use.
      • All the equipment, utensils and multi-service articles used in the food premise must be kept in good repair.
    • The food premise is protected against the entry of pests and kept free of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.
      • Keep the food premise free of conditions that lead to the harbouring of pests.
    • Mechanical dishwashers are constructed, designed and maintained to provide clean wash water at the proper temperature, and a sanitizing rinse.
      • Provide a mechanical dishwasher constructed, designed and maintained to provide a sanitizing rinse using a clean chlorine solution of not less than 100 parts per million.
      • Provide a mechanical dishwasher constructed, designed and maintained to provide a sanitizing rinse using a clean iodine solution of not less than 25 parts per million.
    • All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.
      • Store and handle ice used in the processing of food or drink in a sanitary manner.
  8. Required

    5 infractions

    • The food premise is protected against the entry of pests and kept free of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.
      • Keep the food premise free of conditions that lead to the harbouring of pests.
    • Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • The floors, walls and ceilings of every room where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept clean and in good repair.
    • Multi-service utensils shall be cleaned and sanitized after each use.
      • Clean and sanitize multi-service articles after each use.
      • Clean and sanitize utensils other than multi-service articles as often as necessary to maintain them in a clean and sanitary condition.
    • Every operator of a food service premise ensures that there is at least one food handler or supervisor on the premise who has completed food handler training during every hour in which the premise is operating.
      • Operator must ensure that there is at least one food handler or supervisor on the premise who has completed food handler training.
    • All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.
      • Store and handle ice used in the processing of food or drink in a sanitary manner.
  9. Complaint-based inspection

    3 infractions

    • Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
      • Provide an adequate number of hand washing stations that are maintained and kept adequately supplied and that are situated for convenient access by food handlers.
    • All equipment, utensils and multi-service articles that are used for food preparation in the food premise are of sound and tight construction, in good repair and suitable for their intended use.
      • All the equipment, utensils and multi-service articles used in the food premise must be kept in good repair.
    • Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • The floors, walls and ceilings of every room where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept clean and in good repair.
  10. Follow-up inspection

    0 infractions

  11. Routine inspection

    7 infractions

    • Potentially hazardous foods are distributed, maintained, stored, transported, displayed, sold and offered for sale in which the internal temperature is at 4°C (40°F) or lower or 60°C (140°F) or higher.
      • Keep potentially hazardous foods at an internal temperature of 60°C or higher.
    • Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
      • Provide an adequate number of hand washing stations that are maintained and kept adequately supplied and that are situated for convenient access by food handlers.
    • Garbage and wastes, including liquid wastes, are collected and removed from the food premise as often as is necessary to maintain the premise in a sanitary condition.
      • Collect and remove garbage and wastes as often as necessary from the food premise in order to maintain it in a sanitary condition.
    • All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.
      • Store and handle ice used in the processing of food or drink in a sanitary manner.
    • Multi-service utensils shall be cleaned and sanitized after each use.
    • Mechanical dishwashers are constructed, designed and maintained to provide clean wash water at the proper temperature, and a sanitizing rinse.
      • Provide a mechanical dishwasher constructed, designed and maintained to provide a sanitizing rinse using a clean chlorine solution of not less than 100 parts per million.
    • Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • Every room in the premise where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept free from materials and equipment not regularly used in the room.
      • The floors, walls and ceilings of every room where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept clean and in good repair.
  12. Follow-up inspection

    2 infractions

    • All equipment, utensils and multi-service articles that are used for food preparation in the food premise are of sound and tight construction, in good repair and suitable for their intended use.
      • All the equipment, utensils and multi-service articles used in the food premise must be kept in good repair.
    • Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • Every room in the premise where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept free from materials and equipment not regularly used in the room.
  13. Routine inspection

    9 infractions

    • The equipment used for refrigeration or hot-holding of potentially hazardous foods contains accurate indicating thermometers that can be easily read.
      • Provide refrigeration units with accurate indicating thermometers that may be easily read.
    • Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.
      • Provide an adequate number of hand washing stations that are maintained and kept adequately supplied and that are situated for convenient access by food handlers.
    • The levels of illumination required are maintained in the food premise during all hours of operation.
      • Maintain the levels of illumination required under Ontario Regulation 332/12 (Building Code) during all hours of operation.
    • The surfaces of equipment and facilities other than utensils that come in direct contact with food are cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to maintain such surfaces in a sanitary condition.
      • Clean and sanitize the surfaces of equipment and facilities as often as necessary to maintain such surfaces in a sanitary conditions.
    • Potentially hazardous foods are distributed, maintained, stored, transported, displayed, sold and offered for sale in which the internal temperature is at 4°C (40°F) or lower or 60°C (140°F) or higher.
      • Keep potentially hazardous foods at an internal temperature of 4°C (40°F) or lower.
    • The food premise is protected against the entry of pests and kept free of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.
      • Protect the food premise against the entry of pests.
      • Keep the food premise free of conditions that lead to the harbouring of pests.
    • Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • Every room in the premise where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept free from materials and equipment not regularly used in the room.
      • The floors, walls and ceilings of every room where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept clean and in good repair.
    • Multi-service utensils shall be cleaned and sanitized after each use.
    • All equipment, utensils and multi-service articles that are used for food preparation in the food premise are of sound and tight construction, in good repair and suitable for their intended use.
      • All the equipment, utensils and multi-service articles used in the food premise must be kept in good repair.
  14. Follow-up inspection

    1 infraction

    • Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • Every room in the premise where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept free from materials and equipment not regularly used in the room.
  15. Routine inspection

    3 infractions

    • All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.
      • Store and handle ice used in the processing of food or drink in a sanitary manner.
    • Multi-service utensils shall be cleaned and sanitized after each use.
    • Every food premise shall be operated and maintained such that the floor or floor coverings, the walls and ceilings, and the premises itself are maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • Every room in the premise where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept free from materials and equipment not regularly used in the room.
      • The floors, walls and ceilings of every room where food is prepared, processed, packaged, served, transported, manufactured, handled, sold, offered for sale or displayed must be kept clean and in good repair.

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