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ZAK'S DINER

16 BY WARD MARKET SQUARE OTTAWA ON K1N 7A1 · Food Safety

Official record from Ottawa →

Inspection summary

ZAK'S DINER has been inspected 10 times by Ottawa Public Health since February 23, 2024. The most recent inspection, on August 14, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

3 of 10 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 5 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Pests 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on August 14, 2026. For example: All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.

  • 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 January 15, 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.

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 14, 2025. For example: Every food premise shall be provided with employee hand washing stations.

  • 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 February 9, 2026. For example: The equipment used for refrigeration or hot-holding of potentially hazardous foods contains accurate indicating thermometers that can be easily read.

  • 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 February 23, 2024. For example: Multi-service utensils shall be cleaned and sanitized after each use.

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.

10 inspections

  1. Complaint

    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.
    • All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.
  2. Required

    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.
      • The walls and ceilings of rooms and passageways must be readily cleaned and must be maintained in a sanitary condition.
  3. Required

    2 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.
    • All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.
      • Protect all food from contamination and adulteration.
      • Store and handle ice used in the processing of food or drink in a sanitary manner.
  4. Follow-up

    0 infractions

  5. Required

    4 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.
    • 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 food premise ensures that sanitary facilities are maintained in accordance with the design, construction and installation requirements in Ontario Regulation 332/12, is properly equipped and in good repair.
      • Equip every sanitary facility with a supply of toilet paper.
    • 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.
  6. Follow-up

    0 infractions

  7. Required

    2 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.
      • Protect the food premise against the entry 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 in a sanitary condition so as to prevent contamination of food.
      • 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.
  8. Routine inspection

    0 infractions

  9. Complaint-based inspection

    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 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 food premise ensures that sanitary facilities are maintained in accordance with the design, construction and installation requirements in Ontario Regulation 332/12, is properly equipped and in good repair.
      • Equip every sanitary facility with a supply of soap or detergent.
    • 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.
  10. Routine inspection

    5 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 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 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.
    • Multi-service utensils shall be cleaned and sanitized after each use.
    • All food shall be protected from contamination and adulteration.
      • Protect all food from contamination and adulteration.
      • Store and handle ice used in the processing of food or drink in a sanitary manner.
    • 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.

Nearby inspected facilities

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