Grand Junction airport food lands on the to-do list

Irecently had a great time exploring the food scene at the Grand Junction Regional Airport. I’m sure you might think “what food scene?” and so I decided it would be fun to learn more about it.

I love our local airport, and not having to drive to Denver and deal with Interstate 70 and Denver International Airport is wonderful. Do I wish the flights were cheaper and we had more direct flights? Sure, but I know they are always working on trying to make things better and that it is a complex process.

Food and beverage service at the Grand Junction airport is run by Tailwind Concessions and I was met at the airport by their Senior Ops Manager, Michael Wells. Together, we went through security — my first time going into the other side of the airport without an airplane ticket! I had to be accompanied by him, show my ID, take off my shoes, get scanned, etc. for security.

In fact, I learned that all the food and beverages also have to go through security. (Which makes sense, but I just had never thought about it before.)

Wells was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. He travels throughout the country visiting different airports and checking in on people and restaurants. He is a former chef and has a great rapport with the staff.

Everyone I met — from the restaurant workers to the gift store manager and bartender — talked about how much they enjoy working at the airport for Tailwind and how it has a family sort of feel about it. The airport has a restaurant called the Grand Mesa Grill and it is located just to the right after security. They make everything from scratch and cooked to order. I enjoyed a hummus and vegetable wrap and some amazing French fries.

These fries were extra battered, crispy, and some of the best I’ve ever eaten.

Other items on the menu are a Hatch Chile Chicken Sandwich, Cubano, Parmesan Crusted Grilled Cheese, Breakfast Burritos, Carnitas Bowl, and even eggs and bacon for breakfast.

When you order something, just like at any other restaurant, you can expect a 5-15 minute wait depending on how busy they are or what the item is that you ordered.

If you don’t have time to wait, they also have a “grab and go” cooler next to the cashier (all made from scratch) that has items such as a yummy Southwestern Quinoa Bowl featuring quinoa, brown rice, romaine lettuce, black bean and corn salsa, roasted red peppers, and a house-made chipotle ranch dressing.

In addition, there are various sandwiches and even large cinnamon rolls baked fresh each day.

The Grand Mesa Grill is open from 4:00 a.m. until the last departing flight every day of the year and the bar opens at 9:30 a.m.

Tailwind also runs the gift store and it is filled with a variety of local products including Enstrom’s toffee and Pear Blossom Farms’ sauces from Palisade.

After my food was ready, we brought it to the bar area to eat. (You can also eat at the tables nearby.) The bar at the Grand Junction airport has terrific views! It’s located in the back part of the upper concourse and overlooks the runways, Bookcliff Mountains, Grand Mesa, and planes taking off and landing.

I’ve never sat there before and it was a delight!

They have a variety of aviation-themed cocktails, beer and wine, and non-alcoholic beverages from which to choose.

I noticed a guitar next to the bar and asked about it. I learned the guitar is there for anyone to play! So, if you feel like serenading the waiting passengers, you can just borrow it. How fun is that? Wells noted, “The guitar was a cool idea to set in all of our locations to help passengers relax and unwind and play music at their leisure. It’s a success at many of the airports as I see so many people picking it up to play and all the guests around enjoy the music.”

The whole experience makes me want to arrive a bit early for my next flight and enjoy some food and a beverage while watching the planes. What a relaxing and tasty way to start a trip!

If you have any food and beverage-related events or information you want readers to know about, please email me at AllThingsFoodChristine@gmail.com.

A hummus wrap with fantastic fries made to order and a fresh Southwestern Quinoa bowl were some of the many items available at the airport. (Photos by Christine Gallagher)

Enjoy an aviation-themed cocktail at Grand Junciton Regional Airport’s bar such as this ‘Runway Martini.’

Serenade people with this guitar at the airport. What a unique idea!

The gift store sells a variety of local foods.

FOOD NEWS

ALLAGHER