Mesa County - In 2011, 25 local eateries has a spotless record when it comes to sanitary guidelines, according to the Mesa County Health Department. The organization recognizes these exceptional restaurants with their annual Blue Ribbon Awards.

Paul Knaysi says Pablo's Pizza has received the award a total of seven times since he opened the pizzeria with his wife 11 years ago.

"We feel like it's really a community that we've built and we're very proud of that," said Knaysi. Knaysi says he's learned over the years that keeping clean is all about proper staff training.

Janie VanWinkle was born and raised in Grand Junction before opening Nick-N-Willy's Pizza. "We've been here for seven years," said VanWinkle.

Nick-N-Willy's has received the Blue Ribbon Award every year it's been open except one. "One time, it was as simple as a dented can in the back room," said VanWinkle.

Other, more critical violations are issues that can cause foodborne illness. "You have a cup without a lid on it, or a cup that's on a counter, that's
considered a critical violation," said Knaysi.

"Food temperature: are hot foods hot and are cold foods cold?" asked VanWinkle.

Last year, there were 25 restaurants that had 10 or more critical violations. That number has fallen to 12 this year.

"The nice thing is other restaurants--I think they see this, and they try to raise their, you know, their standards, too, and try to achieve it," said Knaysi.

The full list of the Blue Ribbon Award winners is as follows:
Conchitas Mexican Restaurant, 625½ Rd, Unit A, GJ
Los Reyes Restaurant, 811 S. 7th St, GJ
W.W. Peppers, 753 Horizon Ct, GJ
Spoons, 3090 North 12th, GJ
626 On Rood--Modern American Cuisine & Wine Bar, 626 Rood Ave, GJ
The Winery, 642 Main St, GJ
Papa Kelsey’s, 1141 N 25th St, Unit A, GJ
Chipotle Mexican Grill, 2504 Highway 6 & 50, Ste 300, GJ
Pizza Hut #251, 571 32 Rd, Unit A, Clifton
J’s Philly Steaks and Hoagies, 936 North Ave, Ste 100, GJ
Nick-N-Willy’s Pizza, 683 Horizon Dr, GJ
Pablo’s Pizza, 319 Main St, GJ
Burger King No. 7443, 739 Horizon Dr, GJ
Taco Bell #018160, 3231 I-70 Business Loop, Clifton
Taco Bell #5011, 736 Horizon Dr, GJ
Aspen Street Coffee, 136 E Aspen, Fruita
Subway #37783, 2412 F Road, GJ
Subway Restaurant #10824, 2424 Highway 6 & 50, GJ
Jimmy Johns 113, 3203 I-70 Business Loop, Clifton
Subway #6937, 4530 Highway 6 & 24, Unit B, DeBeque
Mumzel’s Crumpets, Cups, Cones, 101 W. 3rd St, Palisade
WCCC Snack Bar, 2508 Blichmann Ave, GJ
Collbran Creamery LTD, 2117 Rodeo Dr, Collbran
Holiday Inn Express, 625 Rae Lynn St, GJ

Most Food Service Violations:
Lil' Guidos, 569 32 Road, Suite 3C, Clifton (17 violations)
El Tapatio, 402 Jurassic Ave., Fruita (16 violations)
Fly'n Roosters, 200 W. Grand Ave., No. 5, Grand Junction (16 violations)
Taqueria Valpraiso, 511 30 Road, Grand Junction (16 violations)
Zen Garden, 2886 North Ave., Grand Junction (16 violations)
Grand International Buffet 2504 Highway 6 & 50, Grand Junction (12 violations)
El Tapatio, 1145 North Ave., Grand Junction (11 violations)
Red Rose Cafe, 235 Main St., Palisade (11 violations)
Village Inn, 1910 North Ave., Grand Junction (11 violations)
Bamboo City, 2472 F Road, Grand Junction (10 violations)
Los Jilbertos, 2812 North Ave., Grand Junction (10 violations)
Western Convenience 2525 Broadway, Grand Junction (10 violations)