April 29, 2006
"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.
BANDIDO’S
4550 S. Kipling Street – 303/979-9746
An old fav, G and I were here recently. The food is still very good, but the service is now terrific. In case you’re paying attention, service was slo for a while. The burritos are extra yummy. Try the chicharron burrito, and it’s five minutes from my office.
BENNY'S CANTINA
301 E. 7th 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 about two years ago, 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. But the mild version is damn near hotter than anything else in town.
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
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EL TEJADO II
1410 S. Wadsworth Blvd, 303/985-9991
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. Alas, the Lakewood store burnt to the ground a few months ago, but it will be re-built on the same lot, so watch for the re-opening.
GREGORIO’S
1910 Wadsworth Blvd, 303/462-2400
This great eatery is just a few blocks from muh office, but they’ve been at this location for seven years. 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. Gregorio is a man before his time; he cut off smoking entirely a year ago.
HOLLY INN WEST
3490 Youngfield Street – 303/232-9964
While some think this is Americanized Mexican fare, I find it authentic, and besides, I luv the marinated spicy shredded taquerito. Portions are large and the margaritas are tasty. Salsa varies from mild to hot depending on what the cook had to sip on.
JACK ‘N’ GRILL
2524 Federal Blvd, 303/964-9544
Having arrived from Albuquerque almost fifteen years ago, Jack and Anna Martinez get rave reviews from one and all. Even tho they expanded and almost doubled the seating capacity, there are still lines at mealtime. I don’t know where to begin cuz all the grub is great. The Rocky Mountain News even listed their bugger (yep, buggers in a Mexican joint) in the Top Ten in Denver. As did I of course. Just tuff getting em to cook ‘em rare. But the green chili is so good I don’t have a bugger…most of the time.
JOSE'S
2420 W. Main Street – 303/798-5897
I guess this Littleton fav has been there for years but no one ever told me. The chili rellenos are the best in town, but not spicy. Try the flan.
LA CASITA
4390 West 44 Avenue – 303/455-2190
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TAMALES DE LA CASITA
3561 Tejon Street – 303/477-2899
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.
LOS DOS POTRILLOS
8251 S. Holly St – 720/529-0299
My first visit to this terrific Mexican eatery was about four years ago, and if you remember County Line Road, you can hardly get into any restaurant because of the horrid traffic congestion and construction that was going on at that time. The purple booths scared me at first, but the first taste of a Chile Relleno told me that I was home. I don’t get down to that area as often as I like, but the traffic is gone but the great grub still abounds. One of the very best shredded beef burritos in town: nice and spicy.
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.
OCOTILLO SOUTHWEST CAFÉ
5960 S. Holly St – 720/200-6755
Still haven’t gotten in here, but I get lots of good comments and got beat up last year when I left them out. The yummy margaritas lead the way into good grub in this neighborhood southwestern cuisine eatery. Bring the rug rats.
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. 35th 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
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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 or the fantastic Chile Relleno.
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
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1901 Youngfield Street – 303/237-3165
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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 and you can have them soft or crispy. 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.
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.
In his real life Jay Fox is a CPA. He offers all kinds of good tax planning advice, financial calculators and the latest in tax news at his website: www.jayfoxcpa.com. He just writes this column for the money.