Cincinnati, OH

The Hamilton

Name: The Hamilton
Address: 4029 Hamilton Av, Cincinnati, OH

4029 Hamilton Av

Last inspected Sep 23, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Not In Compliance

More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

5 inspections

ROUTINE - STANDARD INSPECTION

Sep 23, 2026

Not In Compliance

5 recorded violations

notedCode 4.4(A)(2)Equipment and utensils

Official wording

4.4(A)(2) - Equipment - Good Repair and Proper Adjustment

Inspector’s notes

Equipment components were not intact, tight or properly adjusted. Observed no sanitizer levels at dish machine.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

notedCode 6.4(B)(1)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

6.4(B)(1) - Cleaning- Frequency and Restrictions

Inspector’s notes

The physical facilities are not cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. Observed dusty air vents above prep table and buildup of dust on personal fan in kitchen. Ensure to clean as often as necessary

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 4.1(C)(1-4)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

4.1(C)(1-4) - Food Contact Surfaces Cleanability

Inspector’s notes

Multiuse food-contact surfaces were not smooth or free of breaks, open seams, cracks, chips, inclusions, pits, sharp internal angles, space corners, or crevices. Observed spatula with crevices. Ensure food contact surfaces are smooth and easily cleanable. Person in charge voluntarily discarded.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 4.4(N)(1-5)Chemicals

Official wording

4.4(N)(1-5) - VII. Protection from Contamination - Manual/Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization Criteria

Inspector’s notes

A chemical sanitizer was unregistered or improperly used. Observed no sanitizer levels at dish machine. Ensure to monitor sanitizer concentration so proper levels are available. Person in charge noted they will utilize 3 compartment sink until repaired.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely

notedCode 4.5(B)(5)Contamination

Official wording

4.5(B)(5) - VII. Protection from Contamination - Equipment Food Contact Surfaces and Utensils – Cleaning Frequency

Inspector’s notes

Surfaces of utensils or equipment contacting non-TCS food were not cleaned at appropriate frequency. Observed inside of ice machine unclean. Ensure to clean as often as necessary.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

Official record from Cincinnati Health Department, Sep 23, 2026 · Original Source

ROUTINE - STANDARD INSPECTION

Jan 15, 2026

Approved - Minor Violations

1 recorded violation

notedCode 6.4(A)Facility maintenance

Official wording

6.4(A) - Repairing

Inspector’s notes

The physical facilities were not maintained in good repair. Observed a hole in the floor below the dishwasher. It must be repaired.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Cincinnati Health Department, Jan 15, 2026 · Original Source

ROUTINE - STANDARD INSPECTION

Jun 20, 2025

Approved - Minor Violations

7 recorded violations

notedCode 4.5(B)(4)(g)Contamination

Official wording

4.5(B)(4)(g) - VII. Protection from Contamination - Equipment Food Contact Surfaces and Utensils – Cleaning Frequency

Inspector’s notes

In-use utensils or their water storage container not cleaned frequently enough. Ice scoop stored in soiled container. REPEAT VIOLATION. Clean ice scoop and container regularly to prevent contamination of ice.

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 7.1(E)Chemicals

Official wording

7.1(E) - X. Chemical - Sanitizers - Criteria

Inspector’s notes

The chemical sanitizer being used is not approved for food contact surfaces. High conc. of chlorine bleach in dish washing machine. Sanitizer conc. must be maintained between 50-100 ppm.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely

notedCode 3.4(G)(1)Food temperature

Official wording

3.4(G)(1) - VI. Time/Temperature Controlled Safety Food - Ready-to-eat, TCS - date marking

Inspector’s notes

Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS food that is prepared in the food facility and held refrigerated for more than 24 hours is not properly date marked. Beer cheese date marked for 15 days. All TCS food must be mark for 7 days max. count day 1 when food prepared or open at the facility.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 4.5(B)(5)Contamination

Official wording

4.5(B)(5) - VII. Protection from Contamination - Equipment Food Contact Surfaces and Utensils – Cleaning Frequency

Inspector’s notes

Surfaces of utensils or equipment contacting non-TCS food were not cleaned at appropriate frequency. Mold inside ice machine. Discard ice clean and sanitize ice machine. Clean ice machine regularly to prevent mold growth. REPEAT VIOLATION

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 3.2(C)(1)(a)Contamination

Official wording

3.2(C)(1)(a) - VII. Protection from Contamination - Packaged and Unpackaged Food - Separation, Packaging, and Segregation

Inspector’s notes

Ready-to-eat food was not protected from cross-contamination by raw animal food. Raw eggs stored oboe ready to eat food in 2 door cooler in the kitchen. Keep raw animal food below ready to eat food to prevent contamination.

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 6.4(M)Other

Official wording

6.4(M) - Storing maintenance tools

Inspector’s notes

Maintenance tools such as brooms, mops, vacuum cleaners and similar items are improperly stored Brooms and dust pan stored between ice machine and food prep. sink. Keep all cleaning tools away from food, food contact surface and food prep. area.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

notedCode 3.2(K)Equipment and utensils

Official wording

3.2(K) - In-use utensils - between-use storage

Inspector’s notes

In-use utensils are improperly stored. Ice scoop stored in soiled container above ice machine. Keep ice scoop on clean and dry place away from contamination.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

Official record from Cincinnati Health Department, Jun 20, 2025 · Original Source

ROUTINE - CRITICAL CONTROL POINT

Feb 21, 2025

Not In Compliance

4 recorded violations

notedCode 5.1(J)Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

5.1(J) - Backflow Prevention Device- When Needed

Inspector’s notes

An air gap or an approved backflow prevention device is not installed as required. Observed sprayer faucet that did not have air gap between sprayer nozzle and flood level rim of sink. Provide a proper air gap. Ensure sprayer is maintained above sink until faucet can be adjusted or repaired.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

notedCode 7.1(C)(1)Chemicals

Official wording

7.1(C)(1) - X. Chemical - Conditions of Use

Inspector’s notes

The operator is using a poisonous/toxic substance that is not approved for use in a food facility and/ or the substance is not being used according to law, conditions of licensing or to the manufacturer's directions. Observed dichlorvos strips used in areas with open food. Dichlorvos strips were voluntarily discarded. +COS

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely

notedCode 3.4(F)(1)(b)Food temperature

Official wording

3.4(F)(1)(b) - VI. Time/Temperature Controlled Safety Food - Time/Temperature Controlled for Safety Food - Cold Holding

Inspector’s notes

TCS foods were being held at temperatures >41° F. Observed dip holding at 50ºF and 62ºF for less than 4 hours. Food was moved. +COS

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 4.4(A)(2)Equipment and utensils

Official wording

4.4(A)(2) - Equipment - Good Repair and Proper Adjustment

Inspector’s notes

Equipment components were not intact, tight or properly adjusted. Observed two refrigerators that were not maintaining TCS foods below 41ºF. Do not place TCS foods back into refrigerators until it can be ensured that TCS food will be maintained below 41ºF.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

Official record from Cincinnati Health Department, Feb 21, 2025 · Original Source

ROUTINE - STANDARD INSPECTION

Jun 1, 2024

Approved - Minor Violations

7 recorded violations

notedCode 6.2(C)Handwashing

Official wording

6.2(C) - III. Preventing Contamination by Hands - Facilities

Inspector’s notes

Handwashing lavatory had no, unapproved, or inoperable hand drying provision. No paper towels at hand washing sink in bar.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

Official wording

2.3(A) - II. Good Hygienic Practices - Food contamination

Inspector’s notes

Employees were eating, drinking or using tobacco in non-designated areas. Observed open cup of employee's drink in bar.

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 5.1(O)(2)Handwashing

Official wording

5.1(O)(2) - III. Preventing Contamination by Hands - Using handwashing facility

Inspector’s notes

Handwashing facility is being used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand washing sink used as dump sink for left over drinks from customer. Discontinue this practice immediately and use hand sink for hand washing only.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

Official wording

4.5(B)(5) - VII. Protection from Contamination - Cleaning Frequency

Inspector’s notes

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 3.2(Y)Contamination

Official wording

3.2(Y) - Miscellaneous sources of contamination

Inspector’s notes

Miscellaneous sources of contamination observed. Ice scoop stored in soiled container. Wash container with ice scoop weekly or keep ice scoop on clean surface.