Big Sams food hygiene rating
Takeaway/sandwich shop · Rhondda Cynon Taf
Big Sams holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the takeaway met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 24 November 2025, 7 months ago. Councils typically re-inspect higher-risk businesses every six months to two years, with well-run, low-risk places visited least often, so this is a normal gap.
Address: 10 Cowbridge Road, Pontyclun, CF72 9ED
How it compares in Rhondda Cynon Taf
That puts Big Sams among the 1,239 places in Rhondda Cynon Taf holding top marks, 66% of everywhere the council rates. A 5 is the norm here rather than the exception, so it is the rating to expect, not to be impressed by.
| 5 out of 5 | 1,239 | 66% | ← Big Sams | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 407 | 22% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 179 | 10% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 25 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 26 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 153 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Good
- How well they manage food safety Good
An inspection scores three things: how food is handled, the physical condition of the premises, and how much the inspector trusts management to keep standards up. At Big Sams none of the three raised a concern, the overall rating is only ever as strong as its weakest area, so a clean sweep is what produces a high score.
Food hygiene ratings nearby
The closest food businesses to Big Sams, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Co-operative Group Ltd Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 36 yards away | 5 - Very good | 24 January 2024 |
| Greggs Retailers - other | 36 yards away | 5 - Very good | 8 May 2026 |
| Domino's Pizza Takeaway/sandwich shop | 92 yards away | 5 - Very good | 11 August 2025 |
| Fullbrook's Bistro Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 92 yards away | 5 - Very good | 23 April 2025 |
| Bottle & Board Pub/bar/nightclub | 125 yards away | 5 - Very good | 27 November 2025 |
| Brothers Contemporary Indian Cuisine Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 292 yards away | 5 - Very good | 8 August 2025 |
| Oasis Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 24 February 2026 |
| David's Court Social Group 2 Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 6 June 2025 |
Questions about Big Sams
What is Big Sams's food hygiene rating?
Big Sams has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council on 24 November 2025.
Is Big Sams safe to eat at?
The rating covers hygiene standards found at inspection, not the food itself. At 5 out of 5, the inspector found hygiene standards at this takeaway to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Big Sams last inspected?
Big Sams was last inspected on 24 November 2025, 7 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Big Sams?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "good", and confidence in the management of food safety "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Big Sams compare to other places in Rhondda Cynon Taf?
66% of the 1,876 rated food businesses in Rhondda Cynon Taf hold the top rating of 5, and Big Sams is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council inspects Big Sams and sets the rating; the Food Standards Agency publishes it. Neither the business nor this site can change a rating, a business that disagrees can appeal to its council, and can request a re-inspection once it has fixed the problems.
Tell me when this changes
The Food Standards Agency publishes only a business's rating today, not what it scored before, and not when it moves. We check every UK rating each night. Watch Big Sams and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Big Sams is one of 223 rated food businesses in Pontyclun. See every hygiene rating in Pontyclun →
Rhondda Cynon Taf inspects and rates 2,029 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Rhondda Cynon Taf →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/en/business/healthandsafety/foodbusiness-foodsafetyinspections/foodbusiness-foodsafetyinspection.aspx
Rating from the Food Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence. Ratings reflect standards found at the time of inspection and can change. If you think a rating is wrong, the official record is held by the FSA and the local authority; corrections there flow through here. How ratings work →