Restaurant · Waterloo Region, ON

Poke Box, The

Name: Poke Box, The
Address: 3 - 255 King St N, Waterloo Region, ON

3 - 255 King St N

Last inspected Jan 22, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Infractions found

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

7 inspections

Compliance Inspection

Jan 22, 2026

Infractions found

2 recorded violations

minorCode —Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Food handlers who come into contact with food/utensils do so in a sanitary manner

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Ensure food handlers wash hands as often as necessary

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

minorCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed and maintained

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles in good repair, Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are cleaned and sanitized , Ensure ventilation system/exhaust hood/filters/canopy is maintained in a clean and sanitary manner

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

Official record from Region of Waterloo Public Health (Check It! We Inspect It.), Jan 22, 2026 · Original Source

Compliance Inspection

Oct 7, 2025

Infractions found

2 recorded violations

criticalCode —Contamination

Official wording

Food protected from contamination or adulteration

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Protect food from contamination and adulteration, Cover all food in storage

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

minorCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed and maintained

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are of sound and tight construction, Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles in good repair, Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are cleaned and sanitized , Ensure food contact equipment and utensils are corrosion-resistant and non-toxic , Ensure food contact equipment and utensils are free from cracks, crevices and open seams, Ensure ventilation system/exhaust hood/filters/canopy is maintained in a clean and sanitary manner

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

Official record from Region of Waterloo Public Health (Check It! We Inspect It.), Oct 7, 2025 · Original Source

Re-inspection

May 28, 2025

No violations found

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Region of Waterloo Public Health (Check It! We Inspect It.), May 28, 2025 · Original Source

Compliance Inspection

May 28, 2025

Infractions found

3 recorded violations

criticalCode —Facility maintenance

Official wording

The premises is operated and maintained free from potential/immediate health hazards

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Provide hot and cold running water under pressure where food is processed, prepared, manufactured or where utensils are cleaned

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

minorCode —Other

Official wording

Maintenance of sanitary facilities

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Equip sanitary facility with a constant supply of hot and cold running water, Equip sanitary facility with single service towels or air dryer

In plain English

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

More about other finding

minorCode —Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Food handlers who come into contact with food/utensils do so in a sanitary manner

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Ensure food handlers wash hands as often as necessary

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 Region of Waterloo Public Health (Check It! We Inspect It.), May 28, 2025 · Original Source

Compliance Inspection

Feb 4, 2025

Infractions found

4 recorded violations

minorCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Provide sanitizing solution for wiping cloths/rinsing large utensils/rinsing food contact surfaces

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

criticalCode —Contamination

Official wording

Food protected from contamination or adulteration

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Protect food from contamination and adulteration

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

minorCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Equipment, utensils, multi-service articles and all food contact surfaces are properly constructed and maintained

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles in good repair, Ensure equipment, utensils and or multi-service articles are cleaned and sanitized , Ensure ventilation system/exhaust hood/filters/canopy is maintained in a clean and sanitary manner

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

minorCode —Pests

Official wording

Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Protect against entry, harbouring and breeding of pests, Provide tightly sealed entrances and / or screened entrances to prevent the entry of insects, birds, rodents, and other pests

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from Region of Waterloo Public Health (Check It! We Inspect It.), Feb 4, 2025 · Original Source

Compliance Inspection

Oct 28, 2024

Infractions found

2 recorded violations

minorCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cloths and towels maintained in clean, good repair and not used for other purposes

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Change sanitizing solution for wiping cloths at a minimum of every 2 hours, or as often as necessary, to maintain the solution clean and sanitary at all times

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

minorCode —Pests

Official wording

Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Provide tightly sealed entrances and / or screened entrances to prevent the entry of insects, birds, rodents, and other pests

In plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

Official record from Region of Waterloo Public Health (Check It! We Inspect It.), Oct 28, 2024 · Original Source

Compliance Inspection

Jul 29, 2024

Infractions found

4 recorded violations

minorCode —Pests

Official wording

Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Provide tightly sealed entrances and / or screened entrances to prevent the entry of insects, birds, rodents, and other pests

In plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

minorCode —Handwashing

Official wording

Hand washing basin with supplies of soap and paper towels in dispensers

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Provide soap in a dispenser at hand basin in the food preparation area

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

Food protected from contamination or adulteration

Inspector’s notes

Corrected During Inspection: Store food off the floor to prevent contamination

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

minorCode —Handwashing

Official wording

Separate hand washing basin provided for food handlers

Inspector’s notes

Not in Compliance: Ensure hand washing basin is unobstructed and accessible for hand washing

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.