FROM MEXICO TO YOU WITH LOVE

"Women, melons, and cheese should be chosen by weight." - Spanish proverb

CINCO DE MAYO, a time to pay homage to our neighbors from the south, those with the sun-drenched skin that bring us a unique cuisine to challenge our taste buds. It's the day we honor the brave Mexican soldiers who, on May 5, 1862 at Puebla, Mexico, defeated a superior French invasion force. We celebrate the day with festivities and dine on an abundance of Mexican fare.

In honor of my friends of Hispanic descent, most notably my roomie and current spouse, G, and her mother, The Cuda (first name, Bara), I thought I'd comment on muh favorite Mexican eateries. The list includes only those places that offer Mexican fare as a specialty and not just a few items on their menu, even tho some do it well. And because I'm nice I'm not gonna say anything bad about any of 'em (maybe). I ought to be nice once a year, doncha think? The list is alphabetical.

ALAMOS VERDES
5304 Vance Street - 303/422-5528
The mondongo, chunks of sautéed beef with mushrooms, green peppers, erotic-- oops--exotic spices, and some vino, is one of their signature dishes. But All the grub is super delish. And it's perty. Try the chicken fajitas. Shucks, try all the grub. You may have to look to find the place cuz someone's building a building right in front of them.

BANDIDO'S
4550 S. Kipling Street - 303/979-9746
An old fav, G and I were there recently, and the food is still very good, and the service is still very slo. The burritos are extra yummy. Try the chicharron burrito

BENNY'S CANTINA
301 E. 7 Avenue - 303/894-0788
Some of the finest Mexican grub in town. Benny's been here a month short of forever. The breakfast burrito is killer. Try the bacon, sausage, beef, chicken and kitchen sink combo. The shredded beef here is awsum. Service tends to be a bit testy, but soes life.

BLUE BONNET CAFE
457 S. Broadway - 303/778-0147
Been there longer than Joel Hefley's been in Washington, ceptin it ain't term-limited. It's all great, but you gonna wait: George and I guarantee it. The steak chimichanga is the best deal in town. Heck, it's all good. Since they added the super-size patio a few years back it ain't as crazy, but you always gonna wait.

BREWERY BAR II
150 Kalamath Street - 303/893-0971
Usta be you didn't go at the end of the week cuz the green chili got hotter day by day. Now they're so busy they make it every day and it's hot every day. But it's sooo good! You'll wait in line unless you're there b4 11:30 am. The rellenos are killer.

BREWERY BAR III
9051 E. Maximus Drive, Lone Tree 303/708-9333
Opened since March 1st this year, you can now get the same great grub down yonder in the Park Ghetto neighborhood. Same great green chili as the Kalamath store. It's just a mite hot for some folks but you can ask for the milder version.

CAFE DEL SOL
608 Garrison Street - 303/238-7999
Owned by a coupla Greeks and located in Lakewood, you wouldn't think the Mexican food is any good. Not true. Greeks run some of Denver's finest restaurants. Primo value and superb food is the rule; this place is no exception. Great Mexican pizza. And a mighty fine bugger, truth be known. Arguably the best fries in town.

CASA BONITA
6715 W. Colfax Avenue - 303/232-5115
Just kidding folks. But if you go, bring your own dinner. A dark chocolate Milky Way bar is always good. Or maybe two or three. The house wine is fine, as are the sopaipillas.

CHELO'S
2012 Larimer Street D 303/294-0676
What was a teeny bakery is now a real eatery but with a limited menu. The food's wonderful; the prices are very reasonable. Ain't many tables, but service is first rate, the menu changes daily. They still bake super desserts and breads. Open til 6 pm. Try the maavelous rellenos or the tortas.

EL TEJADO
2651 S. Broadway, 303/722-3987
Always busy, the grub is fast and yummy. The menu is huge. Lots of seafood dishes cuz it's a specialty of the house. The carne adobada is fab.

EL TEJADO II
1410 S. Wadsworth Blvd, 303/985-9991
The same menu as it's sister eatery above, but lots closer to muh office.

GREGORIO'S
1910 Wadsworth Blvd, 303/462-2400
We recently "discovered": this great eatery just a few blocks from our office, but they've been at this location for five years. A clean, neat eatery with a back room for smokers so us non's don't have to pass thru to sit. Thursday nite is mariachi nite, and the 192-piece orchestra (slight exaggeration) will blow your mind. The food is super and the service is first rate. They even cook a steak to order and there are lots of 'em on the menu. Try the huge, stuffed dessert sopaipilla. Fast Eddie sez the margaritas are dandy.

HOLLY INN WEST
3490 Youngfield Street - 303/232-9964
While some think this is Americanized Mexican fare, I find it authentic, and besides, I love the marinated spicy shredded taquerito. Portions are large and the margaritas are tasty. Salsa varies from mild to hot.

JOSE'S
2420 W. Main Street - 303/798-5897
I guess it's been there for years and no one ever told me. The chili rellenos are the best in town, but not very spicy. Try the flan.

LA CASITA
4390 West 44 Avenue - 303/455-2190

LA CASA DE TAMALES
3561 Tejon Street - 303/458-8047
Paul Sandoval's two great places with the world's best tamales and other great grub. Try the empanadas when they're available. During the holidays order weeks ahead.

LA CASA DE MANUEL
3158 Larimer Street - 303/295-1752
Limited menu, great green chili with lotsa pork, albeit quite mild. The shredded beef is super, good coffee, great service. Dessert's a Milky Way, maybe a Snicker's. This is their new location after being tossed outta the cute old place. Open 'til 8 p.m.

LA FIESTA
2340 Champa Street - 303/295-9351
Aside from having the most beautiful menu in town, food and service are good, but all that pink is sorta distracting. Chili is hot, portions smallish. Great rellenos and tacos.

LA PASADITA INN
1959 Park Avenue - 303/832-1785
Its sooo hot, but sooo good. Great pork, chicken, super house made tamales, very good flan. Teeny with linen tablecloths, good service. A bit on the pricey side.

MARIA ELENA'S
999 Wadsworth Blvd - 303/239-8952
Mexican fast food at its best, ceptin no shredded beef. It's all order at the counter, set your butt down and pig out or take-out stuff. No Bud, no Coors: no beer. Sure is good.

MISSION TRUJILLO
6905 S. Broadway - 303/794-5364
John Trujillo and family pride themselves in the best in quality and service, and they do it well. Lotsa unusual dishes, appetizers and the best brownie sundae at a Mexican restaurant in town. It's perty, too.

QDOBA
550 Grant Street - 303/765-5878
and several other locations Huge burritos, made to order, with lotsa different yummy stuff, fast service and reasonable prices. They will do it "your way", and for me that means leaving out the cilantro.

RED TANGO - BISTRO LATINO
5807 West 38 Ave - 303/420-2203
If you love Sabor Latino as most everyone who's ever been you'll love this place too. A set of cozy rooms, white linen napkins and some of the friendliest service in town make this new spot HOT. The menu is quite different than most eateries and the execution is generally good. Cheese empanadas, ceviche, fresh salmon, roast pork and a variety of other dishes show off the talents of the owners who happen to be formerly long-time employees of "that other place". Have a lamb bugger with plantains for lunch and go to heaven happy.

SABOR LATINO
4340 W. 35 Avenue - 303/455-8664
While the menu is more South American than Mexican, it's close enuf for horseshoes, so what the heck. Still some of the friendliest service and the finest food from Mexico, Chili, Spain, Columbia and the Caribbean. The flan is good, the empanadas very, and the paella great, but only available Friday and Saturday nite

SENOR BURRITO
12 E. 1st Avenue - 303/733-0747
2553 N. Kipling Street - 303/202-1185
They put potatoes in all the burritos unless you tell 'em otherwise, and the prices are abit high, but the food is sure good. Try the burrito adovada.

TACOS JALISCO
4309 West 38 Ave - 303/458-1437
This place is hot stuff! Fabulous french fries smothered with green chili, super tamales. This is a great addition to the Mexican dining scene. Menu is huge. Great soups. Even the chips and salsa are yummy.

TAFOLINO'S
2001 Youngfield Street - 303/232-5118
1901 Youngfield Street - 303/237-3165
524 Malley Drive - 303/452-6172
Fantastic shredded beef and shredded chicken burritos smothered red or green. The ultra popular chili rellenos are as good as any in town. Owners Juan and Josie Tafoya now have several locations. But now no one can find Juan. G has a coupla super-size margaritas and a giant platter of grub, bout eight bucks worth, and I get to drive home cuz I do Diet Pepsi. Watch out for the hot chili. It's HOT.

TAMAYO
1400 Larimer Street - 720/946-1433
The menu here is upscale southwestern fare. The place is packed. They offer lots of fresh seafood and other elegant fare. The guacamole is the best I've had, as are the house-made chips that accompany them. The menu has changed recently with a change in chefs but I know it's all fab.

SOME OLD FAVORITES are gone cuz I ain't been in a while and I don't hear anything about 'em and there are too many new ones that need to be mentioned. If I left out your favorite, drop me a line; send me a bill of fare. Tell me what you like and what you don't like. But most of all enjoy the festivities of this grand day.

Cya.