Cafe Sol — Restaurant in Grand Junction

I'm a Grand Junction native, but moved away last year. For some dumb reason I can't explain, I had never tried Cafe Sol in the 30+ years I lived here. I recently came back to town for a visit and stayed downtown, so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm both glad and sorry. Glad because it was AMAZING, and sorry that I didn't try it sooner and can't take it back home with me... I initially went in on a Saturday and ordered the chicken pesto panini with a strawberry rhubarb Zuberfizz soda to drink (I know, sounds like a strange soda flavor but I'll try anything once and in this case more than once, it was actually really good). Having just read the menu on this initial visit, I saw that the chicken pesto had onions, to which I have an allergy. So I ordered it without onions, and not only was it not a problem but the kind young lady actually asked me if I was allergic to onions. I have never once been asked this in a restaurant, so it was pleasantly surprising that someone asked. I said I was and she made sure that my entire meal stayed separate from the onions. I'm not deathly allergic, so if I ate one that had thrown itself in there just because it was in proximity, I would have been miserbale, but fine. But it was super awesome to see that respect for one's dietary restrictions. Superb service aside, the sandwich was absolutely devine. I fell in love at first bite. The next day, I went out for lunch intending to see if there were any other hidden gems I'd somehow missed in over 3 decades, or possibly a new one that hadn't been there when I moved. But as I was walking along Main St, I saw Cafe Sol and was tempted to just go in there again. I told myself I should at least look for something else before giving in, so I kept walking. But I couldn't get that delicious panini out of my head and by 6th st, I gave in, turned around and went to Cafe Sol. This time, knowing what I wanted, I didn't look at the menu and forgot about the onions on the sandwich. But y'all...this outstanding young lady REMEMBERED. I don't know how many people they get every day, but somehow she remembered me and SHE reminded ME of the onions. She saved me from a miserable migraine for the rest of the day and that alone is reason to keep coming back over and over. I will definitely be back on...

The Hipster's paradise.

If you love the depression bread-line feel of a long wait in a crowded restaurant, Café Sol is your place to be. If you love paying an exorbitant amount of money for food shlopped onto a plate, scooped directly from their overflowing pail of mediocrity, Café Sol is your go to destination for Front Range quality out here on the Western Slope.

After about a 15 minute wait in line, I ordered the Club Panini with the broccoli slaw, my wife, the Turkey Panini & Green Onion Atichoke Soup combo. Which rang up to about $33. My wife puts her card into the Square reader, cashier flips the screen for us to sign, and the "select your tip" screen pops up with a minimum of an 18% gratuity. Bringing our total to over $40 for 2 people having a light lunch. We then found ourselves a table to sit at in the dining room and waited about 40 minutes for that food to be delivered. Even the server made mention how she was surprised and happy to see that we had waited for our food, upon the delivery of our order.

The food was lack luster to say the least. My club panini was dry and hard to take a clean bite out of, having to saw through the overcooked bacon with my teeth. My slaw was a bland and confusing conglomeration of flavors that hardly blended well together. My wife's panini was much of the same, "I feel like I am going to chip a tooth," being the only thing she had to say about it. And her soup she said was a bitter and unappetizing stew like concoction that she found took more chewing than the panini. Leaving us with two unfinished meals and a sour taste in our mouths, both literally and figuratively.

All in all, the experience was hardly worth what we spent, and my wife and I left joking about how we should have just gone to Taco Bell for the last of their Nacho...

My friends and I were strolling around downtown Grand Junction and decided to stop in at Café Sol for lunch. We had a delightful time!

It was quite crowded when we first arrived, with a line at the counter to order, but very quickly a table opened up and the three of us were able to sit down. The line to order moved quickly, and by the time we’d put down our bags to go up to the counter there was no wait.

One of my friends just wanted coffee, but the other two of us ordered the lunch combo. My friend had the beet salad and turkey panini, and I had the pear and goat cheese salad and quiche of the day. Everything was delicious! Even my friend’s coffee was yummy, and served in a real diner coffee mug. They have sustainable practices, with cloth napkins, real silverware, plates, and glasses. The portions are just right for lunch, and the food is extremely fresh, with wonderful flavors.

The ambience of the café is bright, airy and welcoming, with high ceilings and local artwork covering the walls. The staff is friendly and efficient. The menu is extensive, with something to please every palate.

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Café Sol and will...