These Grand Junction Restaurants Were Put Under the Microscope

Editor's note (Oct. 5, 2026): An earlier version of this story misreported several Mesa County Public Health inspections. Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary did not have a complaint-based inspection on Sept. 4; its Sept. 3 routine inspection found zero violations. Berna B's had one inspection on Sept. 8, a re-inspection with two violations, not a separate routine inspection that day. The Bread Mine Baking Company did not have a complaint-based inspection on Sept. 14. The story also incorrectly said the Goat and Clover Tavern's violations were not publicly listed; all 10 are available in the county's inspection report. We regret the errors.

Keeping an eye on Mesa County’s routine health inspections can show you a lot about what is happening behind kitchen doors. Inspections took place in September at several Grand Junction restaurants and facilities, including Goat & Clover on Main Street, Berna B’s, and the Bread Mine Baking Co. in Fruita.

The good news is that none of the businesses had to close during the inspection period (September 3 through 16, 2026).

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What Happened During the Latest Grand Junction Restaurant Inspections?

Mesa County Public Health conducted routine inspections, re-inspections and complaint-based inspections between Sept. 3 and Sept. 16, checking food-service businesses throughout the Grand Valley. The difference between the three comes down to the purpose of the visit, and the county explains the process and how to read each report on its Restaurant Inspections page.

The Daily Sentinel's Sept. 17 restaurant inspection blotter, which summarizes Mesa County Public Health reports, listed the following inspections:

The Goat and Clover Tavern had 10 violations in a routine inspection on Sept. 3 and was the only establishment in the report required to have a re-inspection.
Tacos y Tortas El Chato, a food truck, had five violations in a routine inspection on Sept. 3.
Berna B's had two violations in a Sept. 8 re-inspection, a follow-up to its Aug. 27 routine inspection.
The Bread Mine Baking Company in Fruita had three violations in a routine inspection on Sept. 11.
Solstice Senior Living at Grand Valley had four violations in a routine inspection on Sept. 15.
Orchard Mesa Middle School had two violations in a routine inspection on Sept. 16.
Several school cafeterias had one or fewer violations.

What Were the 10 Violations at The Goat and Clover Tavern?

The Goat and Clover Tavern at 336 Main Street in downtown Grand Junction had 10 violations during its Sept. 3 routine inspection. Mesa County Public Health lists all 10 in its inspection report, including an employee who changed gloves without washing their hands, a dishwashing machine with no detectable sanitizer, and several foods stored above safe temperatures.

Other Grand Valley Food Businesses Also Had Violations

Two more local favorites were also part of the September inspections: Berna B's and the Bread Mine Baking Company in Fruita. Berna B's had two violations during its Sept. 8 re-inspection, a follow-up to its Aug. 27 routine inspection. The Bread Mine Baking Company in Fruita had three violations during its Sept. 11 routine inspection. Remember that Mesa County inspections capture conditions at a specific point in time and are not a permanent grade for any business.

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