Grab a menu and order

As always, the food scene here keeps shifting and changing. Here are some of the new happenings around the Grand Valley and on Grand Mesa.

Alexander Lakes Lodge — Have you tried this restaurant at 21221 Baron Lake Dr. in Cedaredge? I’ve been hearing good things about it. They even have a Polish buffet on Sundays for $19.99. Sounds like a good way to escape the heat!

Bamboo City — This delicious Chinese restaurant at 2472 Patterson Road in Grand Junction has recently undergone some renovations. It’s a nice update with the removal of the old grill and the addition of more seating.

Cat café — Opening soon, they will be located at 1649 Main St. in Grand Junction. Cats will be available for adoption from the Roice-Hurst Humane Society. Their grand opening is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 9 and will feature live music and local food vendors.

Colorado National Monument Association and Leopold Bros. Distillery have collaborated to make a special bourbon.

It’s named after the Monument Canyon Trail and features beautiful artwork. Ten percent of sales from this release will be donated to the Colorado National Monument Association.

Conchitas on the Go — This food truck is owned by the same people who run Conchitas on North Avenue. The menus are different and the food truck has items like Sonoran hot dogs and tacos. Their location is generally at 2977 North Ave. in Grand Junction.

El Jet’s Tequila — These delicious tequilas (blanco, reposado and eñejo) are now available in Colorado in restaurants and liquor stores and for shipping throughout the country.

(eljetstequila.com) Local founders and tequila enthusiasts, Jen Taylor and Paul Aieta, introduced me to their lovely, additive-free, 100% Blue Agave tequilas and I really enjoyed them. I tried them all individually and also in a delicious watermelon margarita at SoCo Social (209½ Colorado Ave.) in downtown Grand Junction. Perfect for a hot summer’s day!

Fisher’s Market

— Located at 625 24½ Road in Grand Junction behind Fisher’s Liquors, this market underwent a large expansion project.

They now have a full deli with more sandwich options, a coffee bar, additional produce, breakfast and ready-togo meal options, indoor seating and a full-service butcher.

Flavors of Manila

— This yummy Filipino food truck has reopened after taking a seasonal break. You can often find them outside Office Depot in Grand Junction.

Josephine’s — I am very excited about this new Italian restaurant that will be opening in Fruita. Located at 169 S. Mulberry, it is owned by the same owners as the terrific Fidel’s in Palisade. Construction is happening and I look forward to letting you know when the opening gets closer.

Latin Venezuelan Fast Food — This new blue food truck can be found in Grand Junction at 432 North Ave. I tried an empanada and an arepa the other day and they were both yummy!

Grand Junction used to have a Venezuelan restaurant on Horizon Drive years ago and I really miss it.

Lil Richard’s — Located on the corner of Seventh Street and Patterson Road across from Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital, this food truck is open most Saturdays and all Sundays from 8 a.m. to noon or they close earlier if they sell out.

They have a red truck with a dachshund on it and the words “Lil Richard Flavor, Big Richard Energy!” Their breakfast burritos feature tater tots inside and I look forward to trying them.

Monumental Coffee

— Located in Clifton at 575 32 Road, this new coffee shop is a lovely addition to the neighborhood. They feature homemade empanadas and other baked goods, as well as high quality coffee.

Peachy Pedicab — This Palisade business bikes people around the vineyards. Opened this year by Corinna Scott and Lisa McNamara, they have wine, farm and history tours, river float shuttles, and more. You can reach them at 970778-6065 or peachypedicab@ gmail.com Skip’s Farm to Market — Located at 211 E. Aspen Ave. in Fruita, this sweet little grocery store has been open for more than five years, but is new to me. Their brochures notes, “Skip’s Farm to Market is committed to providing you the highest quality, nutrient-dense food available. We have built a foundation on supporting sustainable farming, ranching, and food processing practices.” The store offers year-round local produce, meats, baked goods, cheeses, eggs, coffee, mushrooms and more.

Whitewater Hill Vineyards — Every Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m., they a special time called “Sip & Stick.” Bring a project you are working on such as knitting, drawing, quilting, painting, etc. and have fun working in community while sipping a glass of wine. They are located at 220 32 Road.

Yaghi’s New York Pizzeria — A sign went up at First Street in Grand Junction across from Thai No. 9 announcing a new business opening. Yaghi’s is a chain found in Texas that features New York style pizza and Wagyu burgers. The opening date has not yet been announced.

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

The local founders of El Jet’s Tequila, Jen Taylor and Paul Aieta, showcasing their terrific new tequilas. (Christine Gallagher photo)

SoCo Social in downtown Grand Junction makes a delicious watermelon margarita featuring El Jet’s Tequila blanco.

(Christine Gallagher photo)

Skip’s Farm to Market in Fruita is filled with beautiful foods. (Christine Gallagher photo)

One of the combination plate options at the delicious Bamboo City Chinese restaurant in Grand Junction. (Christine Gallagher photo)

The Latin Venezuelan Fast Food truck is a welcome addition to the Grand Valley. (Christine Gallagher photo)

FOOD NEWS

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