Hola! My name is Daianee Galindo and I am a multimedia journalist for Bucket List Community Cafe. As the daughter of immigrant parents, I grew up eating authentic Mexican cuisine, such as Guisados, a stewy, slow-cooked dish served with a side of freshly cooked pinto beans, or Caldos (soups) with warm corn tortillas, that my mother would typically prepare for dinner.
Years ago, when living in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, my family owned a taco stand, where they created unique recipes that have become staples in our family’s cookbook. Although we cook these recipes on special occasions, we don’t always have time to get together and cook, so we look for the closest thing to home-cooked meals.
After many years of living near the Denver Metro area and visiting numerous Mexican restaurants, my family and I have discovered some hole-in-the-wall restaurants that serve delicious Mexican cuisine. Burritos, tacos, menudo, gorditas and other traditional dishes are served by locally owned and family-run establishments.
These businesses are distinguished by their low prices and the simple fact that they serve exceptionally good food. It is not our usual home cooking, but these tucked-away local spots serve authentic Mexican cuisine that anyone who appreciates it can enjoy.
El Zarape
Serving Denver for over a decade, El Zarape, a family-operated restaurant, offers a full menu of tacos, tortas and specialty plates. From Friday to Sunday morning, you can find one of their cooks in front of the establishment, set up with two giant cazos, cooking fresh carnitas and chicharron, which you can order with any of the plates on the menu.
As you enter the quaint eatery, the aroma of carnitas and barbacoa fills the air; the small space creates a homey, comfortable atmosphere that can get very busy, especially on weekends. If you decide to dine in, the friendly staff will greet you with a menu and offer you some of their homemade horchata or their incredible agua de pina, a creamy pineapple-flavored beverage that is my personal favorite.
My family and I enjoy visiting this spot for breakfast and lunch. During our visits, we tried various items on their menu and discovered some of our favorites, such as their menudo, a traditional soup made with tripe in a red chili broth, and tortas, a sandwich made with warm toasted bolillo bread and your choice of protein (we usually get barbacoa or carnitas), which is topped with avocado, cheese, lettuce and tomato. Aside from being delicious, its portion sizes are plentiful for a decent price.
When we visit El Zarape, we usually dine in, but for the convenience of their customers, they also offer takeout and a drive-through, which is handy if you are on the go. This location is close to Federal and 10th Avenue, and with Sixth Avenue and Colfax Avenue just a few minutes away, it is easy to get to from anywhere in town. While some of these dishes are available at other Mexican restaurants throughout the city, each location has its own sazón (or technique), and we prefer El Zarape’s.
El Zarape, 1065 Federal Boulevard, Denver. Hours: Monday to Sunday: 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Learn more at www.elzarapeco.com.
El Burrito Cojo
My entire family enjoys eating at El Burrito Cojo because they bring the flavors of home to Denver. My family is from Ciudad Juárez, a Mexican city south of El Paso, Texas, which is where the Juárez-style burritos originated.
Juárez style refers to the thinner and elongated style of burrito. These savory burritos are filled with refried beans, asadero cheese and a variety of guisados, including shredded beef in green chili sauce, rajas con queso (chili strips with cheese) and picadillo (ground beef with potatoes), to name a few. But what sets this spot apart is that their burritos are wrapped in a soft, freshly made flour tortilla, making the burrito ten times better and taste like home.
Whenever we want a quick bite to eat, we come to this location. I usually get a burrito with deshebrada en rojo guisado, which is shredded beef stew with potatoes in red chili sauce, refried beans and asadero cheese.
Behind a serving case, its employees wrap the burritos to order, making it convenient for their customers who are in a hurry. However, they do provide dining options in their clean seating area. Plus, the burrito prices range from $5 to $7, making them delicious and affordable.
El Burrito Cojo, 274 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver. Hours: Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more at www.elburritocojo.com.
Alameda Cafe
Tucked on the side of the busy Alameda intersection is Alameda Cafe. The cozy two-story restaurant opened in July and has been serving a great selection of brunch dishes and mimosas. The variety of dishes on the Alameda Cafe menu is my favorite feature. Whether you’re craving an omelet or have a sweet tooth for french toast, they have it all.
My fiance and I discovered this location after passing by it. He had heard from coworkers about their delicious breakfast burritos, so we stopped by, and I am so glad we did. I had an omelet smothered in their green chili, while he had a smothered breakfast burrito.
After the first bite, we knew we had found a good spot. Its green chili is very flavorful and spicy; you can also add it to most dishes or order it on the side. However, its warm pancakes quickly became my favorite, especially with a hot cup of coffee.
The location has a warm, welcoming atmosphere with plenty of seating, and while parking can be limited, its delicious French toast is well worth the effort. Aside from the great food, the portions are generous and affordable.
Alameda Cafe, 1512 West Alameda Avenue, Denver. Hours: Monday to Sunday: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more at www.alamedacafedenver.com.
El Sabor De Mi Tierra
The first time we tried El Sabor De Mi Tierra‘s delicious homemade gorditas, the owner was selling them from a small stand near Evans Avenue and Federal Boulevard.
A few years later, she was able to open a physical location where she has built a successful business selling her delectable dishes. With a fully equipped kitchen and a team of cooks, she can now offer more authentic Mexican dishes, but for many of her customers, including my family, her gorditas will always be the highlight.
A gordita is a fried or grilled dough pocket filled with guisados or proteins. At this restaurant, gorditas are made to order and served fresh every day. My favorite is a flour gordita with a chile relleno and beans inside, but my family and I have tried almost everything on the menu over the years and agree that her cooking has not changed and is still as fresh and delicious as when she was selling from a stand.
Fortunately for the owner, her clientele has grown, making this a very popular spot, and while the seating area can quickly fill up, the kitchen is quick to fill orders, so you will not have to wait long for a seat or your food. You can’t go wrong ordering anything from their menu; everything is made to order and the best part is their prices range from $5 to $10.
El Sabor de Mi Tierra, 1395 South Sheridan Boulevard. Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Learn more at www.elsabordemitierra.net
Mamacitas
Have you ever heard of a Hot Cheetos burrito? Well, you can find them at Mamacitas. This clean and modern location serves trendy Mexican favorites that you have probably seen on your Instagram or TikTok, like the famous quesabirria tacos or bacon-wrapped hot dogs.
After our first visit, my family and I quickly became fans of this location. Not only was the atmosphere welcoming, but the staff was quick to answer our questions and give their recommendations.
We really enjoy their hot Cheeto burrito, which is filled with steak, sour cream, guacamole, queso and hot Cheetos; it’s not your typical burrito, but the combination of ingredients makes for a great bite.
My fiance’s favorite burgers are the elevated ones, such as the “Embarazada” burger, which means pregnant in Spanish. This large burger comes with bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheese, onion and a side of fries. The pregnant reference in the name refers to the tiny bonus burger that comes on top, which is a nice surprise if this is your first time ordering.
With so many delicious and interesting menu options, it is difficult to decide what to try next. Its menu items are so unique and freshly made that it’s hard to find something similar in the Denver area.
Mamacitas, 924 South Federal Boulevard, Denver. Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Learn more at www.facebook.com/losmangosdenver/.
With so many Mexican restaurants in the city, it can be difficult to decide where to go next. So, the next time you are looking for authentic and affordable Mexican food, keep this guide in mind and visit one of the locations listed above. Not only will your taste buds appreciate it, but so will the local business owners!
