The Lucky Penny
333 Merritt St, St. Catharines ON L2T 1K5 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
The Lucky Penny has been inspected 7 times by Niagara Region Public Health since December 17, 2024. The most recent inspection, on August 13, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.
None of the 7 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 4 inspections with 11 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination and Food temperature control.
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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on August 13, 2026. For example:
Food is protected from potential contamination
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 once on August 13, 2026. For example:
Equipment used for refrigeration or hot holding contain accurate indicating thermometers.
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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 18, 2026. For example:
Certified food handler is onsite.
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 3 separate inspections, most recently on November 17, 2025. For example:
Mechanical ventilation is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke and excessive heat.
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 December 18, 2025. For example:
Food contact equipment, utensils and multi service articles are maintained in good repair and of sound and tight construction.
About this data
These results come from Niagara Region 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.
7 inspections
- Routine Inspection
2 infractions
- Equipment used for refrigeration or hot holding contain accurate indicating thermometers.
- Food is protected from potential contamination
- Routine Inspection
1 infraction
- Certified food handler is onsite.
- Re-inspection
2 infractions
- Food premise is kept clean and maintained in a sanitary condition.
- Food contact equipment, utensils and multi service articles are maintained in good repair and of sound and tight construction.
- Routine Inspection
6 infractions
- An adequate number of handwashing stations are maintained and kept adequately supplied and are situated for convenient access by food handlers.
- Food contact equipment, utensils and multi service articles are maintained in good repair and of sound and tight construction.
- Food premise is kept clean and maintained in a sanitary condition.
- Food is protected from potential contamination (e.g. food covered, labelled, off floor, sneeze guard).
- Mechanical ventilation is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke and excessive heat.
- Certified food handler is onsite.
- Routine Inspection
2 infractions
- Food is protected from potential contamination (e.g. food covered, labelled, off floor, sneeze guard).
- Floors, walls and ceiling are well maintained and in good repair.
- Routine Inspection
1 infraction
- Food storage racks, shelves or pallets are readily cleanable.
- Routine Inspection
2 infractions
- An adequate number of handwashing stations are maintained and kept adequately supplied and are situated for convenient access by food handlers.
- Mechanical ventilation is maintained to ensure the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke and excessive heat.
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