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Two Cougars & a Café

601 Burlington St E, Hamilton ON L8L 4J5 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

Two Cougars & a Café has been inspected 9 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since April 22, 2022. The most recent inspection, on April 28, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

1 of 9 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.

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.

  • 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on June 13, 2025. For example: Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner

  • 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 April 30, 2024. For example: Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed

  • 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 April 14, 2023. For example: Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less

  • 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 4 separate inspections, most recently on April 28, 2026. For example: Certified food handler present in the food service premise

  • 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 once on November 7, 2023. For example: Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment

About this data

These results come from City of Hamilton Public Health Services, 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.

9 inspections

  1. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Certified food handler present in the food service premise
      • Ensure certified food handler or supervisor is present during all hours of operation
  2. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers
  3. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
  4. Routine Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Routine Inspection

    3 infractions

    • Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed
      • Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are cleaned and sanitized
    • Illumination maintained in food premise as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 332/12 (Building Code)
      • Fail to provide required illumination during all hours of operation
    • Certified food handler present in the food service premise
      • Ensure certified food handler or supervisor is present during all hours of operation
  6. Routine Inspection

    3 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
    • Furniture, equipment and appliances in food handling and storage rooms arranged and constructed to permit a clean and sanitary environment
    • Certified food handler present in the food service premise
      • Ensure certified food handler or supervisor is present during all hours of operation
  7. Routine Inspection

    3 infractions

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
    • Illumination maintained in food premise as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 332/12 (Building Code)
      • Fail to provide required illumination during all hours of operation
    • Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less
      • Ensure all hazardous foods are stored at 4°C (40°F) or less
      • Thaw all hazardous foods maintaining a temperature of 4°C (40°F) or less
  8. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner
      • Cleaning required around, under, and behind kitchen equipment, counters, and baseboards
      • Ensure floors are kept clean and in good repair
  9. Routine Inspection

    1 infraction

    • Single service containers and articles kept free from contamination
      • Maintain single service containers and articles free from contamination

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