7 Places To Eat Ridiculously Good Mexican Food In Denver

Denver is a great place to experience a world of delectable cuisine, including one of the city's favorites: Mexican food. From authentic to modern to Tex-Mex, you can find whatever kind of Mexican food you like in almost any corner of the city. Considering the Colorado State Demography Office reports that 34% of Denverites are Hispanic or Latino – most of which are of Mexican descent — it's no surprise there is an abundance of spots to enjoy tasty Mexican cuisine. Besides that, just about everyone loves Mexican food. 

Whether you're in the mood for tacos, chili rellenos, burritos, tamales, sopapillas, street corn, fresh salsa and guacamole, or simply crave a bowl of green chili with homemade tortillas, Denver's Mexican food scene does not disappoint. While there are too many places to list them all, this article explores seven of the best places to get ridiculously good Mexican food in Denver. 

Next time you're hungry and in Denver, give one of these restaurants a try. You won't be disappointed!

Family-owned and operated for more than 30 years, La Fogata is an outstanding place to enjoy authentic Mexican food in a casual environment. Their two locations are on the southeast side of Denver, and both serve the same delicious cuisine. The only real difference between the two spots is that the Quincy location has an expansive patio filled with lush greenery.

Whichever location you visit, expect to find homemade favorites like drool-worthy chili rellenos, carne asada, mole de pollo, tacos de camaron, and more. If you have trouble picking just one item, they have several combination plates. Unlike many other authentic Mexican spots, La Fogata does not put any lard or pork in their beans and sauces, so it is a fantastic option for vegetarians. They're also super family-friendly and have an impressive kid's menu. For drinks, they have a full bar, but the tremendous list of margaritas made with signature sweet and sour mix steals the show. They come in various sizes, including pitchers for the table.

5670 East Evans Ave. – 303.753.9458 or 8090 East Quincy Ave. – 720.930.8004; https://la-fogatadenver.com/

Originally located on the North side, the iconic La Loma has moved on from their Victorian mansion to a new home downtown. With more than 40 years experience serving authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, its long-standing presence and reputation precede itself. While not quite the same, the new restaurant is beautifully decorated and filled with original charm, just like the previous flagship location, which resided in an old Victorian mansion.

In addition to all the classics like tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and combination plates, they also prepare superb grilled specialties, chimichangas, and more. What they're most known for, though, is their famous green chili and fresh tortillas made in-house. You can try three of the house's favorite dishes with the Anniversary Plate. It includes a stuffed sopapilla, a chicken flauta, and a chili relleno topped with green chili, sour cream, and guacamole. If you wish to imbibe, they have delicious margaritas and they barrel-age tequila in the bar. They also serve brunch on the weekend and have a fantastic happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. at the bar or on the patio Monday through Friday.

1801 Broadway – 303.433.8300; http://lalomamexican.com/

Opened by Raul and Hortensia Medina in 1980, El Noa Noa is known for serving no-frills, authentic homemade Mexican cuisine. They are located in the historic Santa Fe Art District, and from the moment you arrive, the setting and ambiance transport you to Mexico. The space features a vibrant and colorful interior dining room plus a fantastic patio complete with a waterfall fountain and multi-colored strings of flags. They're even known to have a live mariachi band some nights.

All of El Noa Noa's food is made fresh daily. From homemade chips and salsa to fresh guacamole to churros and sopapillas, their care and attention to detail are apparent in every bite. The menu contains favorites like seafood tacos, barbacoa, fajitas, nachos, and chili rellenos. They even have hamburgers and fries, just in case. If it's your first time visiting, you can't go wrong with the El Noa Noa Special, which consists of a flour tortilla filled with chipotle pork sauce, cheese, and beans fried and smothered with savory pork green chili. Their expansive list of specialty cocktails and margaritas shouldn't be overlooked either.

722 Santa Fe Drive – 303.623.9968; https://www.denvermexicanrestaurants.net/

Los Chingones is the ideal spot for modern Mexican cuisine in the Rino neighborhood. It has a lively graffiti-splattered decor and a stunning second-story patio that is a fantastic place to spend the afternoon eating and enjoying excellent craft cocktails, like large fishbowl margaritas. They also have a DTC and Central Park location, so they're never too far away. They wouldn't call themselves authentic, but everything they offer is undeniably delicious.

While Los Chingones' head chef, Troy Guard, is not Mexican, his curated cuisine is still ridiculously good. The menu is packed with inspired dishes made from the freshest ingredients, and each one is bursting with flavor. Sure, the menu contains classics like fish tacos and carne asada, but it also includes inspired options like Duck Confit Tacos, Mexican Pizza, and Gringo Tacos, which are made with rattlesnake chorizo and a crispy shell. They also have a stellar happy hour menu with $5 munchies and cocktails. Whenever you come, make sure to try their array of salsas served with warm tortilla chips.

2461 Larimer St. – 303.295.0686 / 4959 S Newport St – 303.567. 4258 / 10155 E 29th Dr. STE 110 – 303.974.6166; https://www.loschingonesmexican.com/

Chef and owner Kevin Morrison started Pinche Tacos as a food truck. However, it didn't take long for his elevated street tacos to develop a cult following. As a result, he now has two brick-and-mortar locations in Denver. While most people in Denver know the place as Pinche Tacos, the signs out front read Tacos Tequila Whiskey because pinche is a curse word in Spanish; shhh, don't tell! Regardless of what you call the restaurant, their mouth-watering street tacos and tasty hand-crafted specialty cocktails are nothing short of amazing.

The menu at Pinche Tacos starts with a collection of shared plates, including various Queso Fundidos, salsas, guacamole, and more. However, their street tacos are what made them famous, and once you see their unique options and beautiful plating, you'll understand why. Some of their most inspired creations include a Fish N Beer taco with beer-battered fish and pineapple guacamole, a Walnut Chorizo taco that can be made vegan upon request, and a Pollo Agave taco with fried chicken dipped in sweet agave. They also have Carnitas, Asada, Barbacoa, and other more familiar tacos, all with an upgraded twist.

1514 York St. – 720.475.1337 or 3300 W 32nd Ave. – 720.502.4608; https://www.tacostequilawhiskey.com/

Senor Burritos is an unassuming family-owned Mexican eatery with a walk-up counter for ordering and a few tables that allow you to sit and enjoy a fast-casual meal. Located in the South Broadway neighborhood, their central location has become a staple for exceptional Mexican cuisine in Denver. They also have a newer spot in nearby Lakewood, but most people know it for their small hole-in-the-wall style restaurant near the Mayan Theatre. Even though they don't have an official website, its stellar reputation, outstanding cuisine, and reasonable prices have ensured its lasting success.

As you may have guessed, burritos are the main attraction at Senor Burritos. They prepare classic, no-frills options such as Rice & Bean, Bean & Potato, Veggie, Carnitas, and the fan favorite, a Chili Relleno burrito. Each can be ordered plain with green chili inside or out, smothered, or deluxe, which is smothered with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream on top. The menu also features nachos, bean dip, guacamole, a couple kinds of tacos, and a few a la carte options.

12 E 1st Ave. – 303.733.0747; http://senorburritos.blogspot.com/2008/01/senor-burritos-menu.html

A Denver staple for quick, affordable take-out Mexican fare, Santiago's has nine locations in the Front Range area. Ask anyone living in Denver, and they're sure to have heard about this highly awarded fast food spot. You can even find some of their authentic green chile sauces in local grocery stores like King Soopers and Safeway.

Santiago's serves the best breakfast burritos in town and makes grabbing something to go super easy. Aside from their famous breakfast burritos and green chile sauce, they make amazing huevos rancheros, tamales, tacos, enchiladas, chile fries, carnitas, chili rellenos, and more. They even have family-size dishes, burgers, and cater to vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free diets, so there is something for everyone to enjoy. Considering they've received the Reader's Choice award from the Westword and the Reporter-Herald, plus many more accolades, chances are you're going to love them too. Come by almost any time of day to experience a true Denver institution.

2505 Federal Blvd. – 720.855.8109 / 571 Santa Fe Dr. – 303.534.5004 / 6365 E Hampden Ave. – 303.757.2027 / 5701 Leetsdale Dr. – 303.333.5305 / 825 S. Federal Blvd. – 303.934.9392; https://eatatsantiagos.com/