THE ZEN
263 Queen St W, Flr-1 · Food Premises
Inspection summary
THE ZEN has been inspected 10 times by Toronto Public Health since January 10, 2024. The most recent inspection, on July 17, 2026, found no infractions.
2 of 10 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 5 inspections with 7 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.
Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.
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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 15, 2026. For example:
PEST CONTROL
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 July 15, 2026. For example:
FOOD TEMPERATURE CONTROL / FOOD PROCESSING
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 December 2, 2025. For example:
MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / UTENSILS / EQUIPMENT
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 December 2, 2025. For example:
EMPLOYEE HYGIENE AND HANDWASHING
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 14 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on August 12, 2025. For example:
Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
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
0 infractions
- Inspection
2 infractions
- 01. FOOD TEMPERATURE CONTROL / FOOD PROCESSING
- Store potentially hazardous foods at internal temperature between 4°C and 60°C - Sec. 27(1)
- 08. PEST CONTROL
- Fail to retain records of pest control measures taken for one year - Sec. 13(2)
- 01. FOOD TEMPERATURE CONTROL / FOOD PROCESSING
- Inspection
1 infraction
- 05. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
- Fail to maintain ventilation system to ensure elimination of fumes - Sec. 11
- 05. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
- Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
4 infractions
- 08. PEST CONTROL
- Fail to protect against harbouring of pests - Sec. 13(1)
- 04. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / UTENSILS / EQUIPMENT
- OPERATE FOOD PREMISE - MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT NOT MAINTAINED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CHEMICAL SOLUTION RINSE - SEC. 20(1)(A)(II)(B)
- 05. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
- Fail to maintain ventilation system to ensure elimination of fumes - Sec. 11
- 03. EMPLOYEE HYGIENE AND HANDWASHING
- Handwashing stations not conveniently accessible by food handlers - Sec. 7(3)(c)
- 08. PEST CONTROL
- Inspection
5 infractions
- 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)
- Fail to maintain ventilation system to ensure elimination of excessive heat - Sec. 11
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Fail to protect against entry of pests - Sec. 13(1)
- 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)
- FAIL TO ENSURE EQUIPMENT SURFACE SANITIZED AS NECESSARY - SEC. 22
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Inspection
4 infractions
- 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)
- Fail to maintain ventilation system to ensure elimination of vapours - Sec. 11
- 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 WALLS IN FOOD-HANDLING ROOM - SEC. 7(1)(G)
- 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
4 infractions
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Fail to protect against entry of pests - Sec. 13(1)
- 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)
- Fail to maintain ventilation system to ensure elimination of odours - Sec. 11
- 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)
- Inspection
1 infraction
- 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)
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