Health-grade downgrade at Board & Brew’s Mission Valley shop puts spotlight on food safety
Board & Brew Specialty Sandwiches in Mission Valley—located at 1620 Camino de la Reina, Unit B—has been downgraded by San Diego County environmental health officials following a recent inspection. This was a downgrade, not a closure, and the action signals that inspectors documented issues serious enough to lower the restaurant’s posted grade until corrections are verified.
The move matters because Board & Brew is among San Diego’s most popular sandwich spots, widely praised online for quality and consistency and a frequent lunchtime go-to for Mission Valley workers and shoppers. When a high-volume, well-liked restaurant receives a downgrade, it draws attention beyond its regulars: it raises broader questions about day-to-day food handling standards at places many residents visit weekly.
According to county protocols, a downgrade typically reflects multiple or repeat violations, especially in areas tied to foodborne illness risk—think cold- and hot-holding temperatures, cross-contamination controls, sanitizing practices, employee handwashing, or facility maintenance. While the county’s detailed violation lists and corrective timelines are posted in its online database, the key takeaway for diners is that a lower grade means inspectors found enough problems to warrant heightened oversight until fixes are confirmed during follow-up visits.
For San Diego County restaurant-goers, the downgrade is a reminder to check the letter-grade placard at the entrance and to look up a restaurant’s inspection history on the county website, which notes reinspection dates and whether corrective actions have been verified. In a region that prides itself on its dining scene, these reports help the public make informed choices while giving operators a clear roadmap to get back into compliance.
Board & Brew can restore its standing by addressing the cited issues and passing a reinspection. Many establishments resolve downgrades quickly with staff retraining, equipment adjustments, and strengthened sanitation routines. Given the brand’s strong local following and reputation for quality, customers will be watching to see a swift return to top marks—and the county’s database will show when that happens. We’ll update this story as more details from the inspection and any subsequent reinspections are posted.
