I need a GREAT little Mexican spot in S.W. Denver

[mommy3esq]

We have a very large family spread out from Castle Rock, Evergreen, old town Littleton and Denver North Highlands area. We need to find a fun gathering spot to have to eat dinner with margaritas, beers and awesome Mexican fare --- somewhere in the middle of our scattered locations. We were thinking southwest Denver would be a good central spot or even something off Federal. Obviously, if the food is primo we'll lean one direction or another! We are considering Tacos Y Salsas because of the great feedback on C.H. Does anyone have any other suggestions for us to try? Our family loves green chili, chili rellenos, authentic mexican meats, homemade refrieds and rich flavorful salsa! Casual is ideal but all suggestions are welcome. Thanks for your help!!

[ClaireWalter]

We were listening to Warren Byrne's 'Restaurant Show' in the car today, and he raved about the Brewery Bar, a Mexican restaurant with three locations, two of which are south of Denver (one, I think, in Littleton). Consider the source and his listernership which seems very fond of BBQ, steak and Italian, but the restaurant HAS been around for half a century, which perhaps is a good sign. Disclaimer: I had never even heard of it before. My husband, who is more of a Mexican food aficianado than I am and who at verious times lived in Castle Rock, Sedalia and Englewood, never heard of it either. So consider this not a recommendation but strictly informational, unless some other Hound has some first-hand opionions.

[gastronaughty]

Despite its inexplicable popularity and longevity, the Brewery Bar is blasphemous --and about as gringofied as any Mexican joint in Denver. My favorite haunt for honest-to-jesus Mexican is Tacos Y Salsas, at the corner of Kentucky and Federal: Indelible soft corn tacos with remarkable meats, an unparalled salsa bar and piquant green chile. And the gorditas? Remarkably good. My butt is firmly entrenched at the counter at least once a week. It's certainly large enough to accommodate large parties, and on the weekends, I've often seen families shoving several tables together. I've never had a problem with parking either, although it is elbowed into a small mall with other storefronts, which may have their own designated spots.

All that said, Tacos Jalisco is also very good, and like Tacos Y Salsas, their salsa bar is wonderful, although you typically have to ask the server to bring them all, including the really hot one, otherwise you'll just get the house salsa.

Also, Los Caboncitos (3757 Pecos St.), in north Denver, is just amazing. Again, a great salsa caddy, kick-ass food and good aguas frescas, especially the jamaica-hibiscus. Go for the huarches -- griddled soft corn tortillas skyscraped with marinated meats and queso blanco -- and stay for everything else, including the charro beans, sprayed with lime.

And ... while I hesitate to give this one away, because it's one of my best-kept secrets, El Paraiso, also in north Denver (4690 Harlan St.) near the old Lakeside shopping center, is fabulous. The space is cavernous, the equally enormous menu, mostly in Spanish, is unlike any other Mexican menu in the city. You just need to see it to really appreciate it. Their seafood is extraordinary (killer shrimp cocktail and ceviche), but the real draw for me are the parrilladas, heaping platters of grilled and stewed Mexican meats (carne asada, tripe, chorizo, rabbit, carnitas, chicken, etc.) and charred vegetables, served on a tabletop grill, heated by sterno. I first had these in Oaxaca, two years ago, and this is the only place I've found in the states that replicates them with any authenticity. They're visually astounding, perfect for a group and beyond good.

In fact, I've just decided that's where I'm parking my butt tomorrow!

[mommy3esq]

Sounds like Tacos Jalisco may also do the trick for our gathering - I will be sure to request the hot as I like it spicy!!! I am very appreciative that you were willing to divulge your secret spot - El Paraiso. It sounds perfectly incredible so I will have to stop by for a test run :-) I promise to keep it under my hat. I am also very curious about Los Caboncitos because the jamica-hibiscus you describe sounds delicious! I am also grateful to Claire Walters for her efforts to find a solution further south for me. I know she has not tried the Brewery Bar personally. Tragically, I have had the misfortune of sampling the food at the Brewery bar (friends wanted to try it for lunch a few years back) and I want to do every Chow Hound the public service of saying that you will have to endure prepackaged chips, canned tasting beans and a velvetaesque cheese sauce poured over your entire plate! Yikes - the remaining details are a bit murky but you get the idea!! We are looking forward to trying many of the local spots identified above for some delicious authentic Mexican cuisine -- ironically, thus far at least, it appears I will have to continue to travel North to get my fix for the real thing! :-)

[ClaireWalter]

gastroanughty - Your report is not surprising. 'The Restaurant' show's listeners tend to be pretty basic and not especially adventurous, but with such longevity and such praise, I figured the Brewery Bar was worth mentioning. Besides, we don't know what mommy3esq's families tastes are. They might actually like gringo-fied food. Whenever I lash out at boring, repetitive chain food, my husband reminds me that some people actually LIKE chain restaurants. Alas, he's right -- and the family in question might too.

[gastronaughty]

Mommy3esq wrote, "Our family loves green chili, chili rellenos, authentic mexican meats, homemade refrieds and rich flavorful salsa!"

That sentence alone described her tastes well enough for me to know that the Brewery Bar wasn't quite what she was looking for. : )

You're right, of course: Plenty of people like chains. And there are even a few that I like, too. I might be a food writer, but I'm not a food snob. In fact, there are mornings that I want nothing more than an egg McMuffin. There -- my secret is out!

[ClaireWalter]

Oh, Gastronaughty, I didn't think that a restaurant with three locations right in Denver qualified as a "chain." In fact, I'm about as anti-chain as Morgan Spurlock, and Egg McMuffins and all the other burger-chain swill makes me gag. I only passed along the Brewery Bar as a suggestion, not by any stretch a recommendation. As I wrote, I've never been there, but figured that, not knowing the family in question, it was worth tossing into the suggestion box.

[mommy3esq]

Sad but true - many love a chain experience i.e. homogenized cuisine guaranteed to be replicated with uninspired results across the country and beyond. However, our family truly appreciates local, original, fresh and creative cuisine! We all have a particularly strong weakness for good Mexican fare!!! Thanks again Chow Hounds for identifying great spots in the area! **I have to confess that once in a while I do stop off at Chipolte's, Noodles or the our own local chain the Tamale Kitchen -- busted!!!

[gastronaughty]

So -- where did you go?

[mommy3esq]

El Paraiso - we are addicted!!! We are there whenever possible. :-) Awesome recommendation.

[Pampatz]

Thanks for sharing your secret. We going to gather the family next weekend and head north. DH and SILs will love the grilled meats and veggies.

[Pampatz]

Thanks Gastronaughty. We went to El Paraiso tonight with 2 of our daughters, their husbands and 3 granddaughters. Wow. This is a really good Mexican restaurant. The El Patron (grilled rib-eye, grilled veggies and baked potato), camarones rellenos (shrimp stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon and grilled) and shrimp enchiladas (literally stuffed with shrimp) were outstanding. The flan was delicious. This is our kind of restaurant - really well prepared food at a reasonable price and DH doesn't have to wear a coat and tie to get in.

[gastronaughty]

I'm so glad you liked it!

And I'm curious: were they busy?

[Pampatz]

We got there at 5 pm and the place was about 3/4 full. By the time that we left at 7 pm, it was packed with a line. Kids are already talking about what to order the next time they go back.
Thanks so much for the recommendation. I thought that the food was much better than the Mexican food that we get in Patzcuaro or Morelia.

[Heyteacher]

Brewery Bar is DISGUSTING - EW. My husband and I heard RAVE reviews about it so we went to the location at Arapahoe and Parker when it first opened. We almost WALKED OUT....it was horrid. It's up there as one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had.

[Chimayo Joe]

The tacos at Tacos y Salsas are great, but you should warn your family off of the chiles rellenos from there because they're not good.

[mommy3esq]

I did take note that the chili rellenos were "mushy" and "soggy" in reviews of Tacos Y Salsa - sad :-(. I think we'll check out the tacos at Tacos Y Salsa on Monday and see how it goes! I appreciate all the input - keep it coming because we can always expand our horizons i.e. list of destinations based on everyone's suggestions!

A friend said we should head further north of center one of these days and try Taqueria Patzcuaro in Highlands --- is it worth the extra drive for those of us down south? How does it compare to Tacos Y Salsa?

[Pampatz]

We are not fans of Taqueria Patzcuaro. It is just so-so. Nothing like the Mexican food in Patzcuaro, Michoacan - but that's a plus because the food in Patzcuaro is really not anything special.
You might try Tacos Jalisco on W. 38th. We have been there several times and really enjoyed their food. They have a salsa bar similar to Tacos y Salsa. We really like the Tacos y Salsa on Colfax. Haven't been to the one on Federal.

[mommy3esq]

Thanks for the review -- the friend who referred it is pretty easy to please :-)

[Chimayo Joe]

I don't live in Denver, so my experience with these places is limited. I've been to Tacos Jalisco twice. First time, I got tacos deshebrada which I thought were very bland. My wife got a chile relleno(good) and enchilada(good but not heated enough.) That trip caused me to balk at returning for quite some time, but I was in the area and hungry this summer, so we gave them another shot. Tacos come 4 to an order and they'll let you split them two and two, so I tried some of their other tacos(can't remember for sure but I think I got carnitas and adobada.) Much, much better, but still not as good as Tacos y Salsas tacos. Can't really remember about Tacos Jaliscos' refrieds(think it was okay) and rice(think it was pretty good.) My wife had a chile relleno and enchilada again and was happy with them.

Only been once to Taqueria Patzcuaro. Split enchiladas rojo and crispy chile rellenos with my wife. Thought they were pretty good. Can't remember for sure but I think the chile relleno was the wrapper type which seems to be very common in Colorado instead of a battered crispy relleno. Refrieds were very good and the rice was good, too. I need to get back to Taqueria Patzcuaro and try some of their other food. I tend to play it fairly safe on a first visit, figuring if a place can't make something simple taste good, odds aren't good they'll do better with something complicated.

Neither place is very large, but they'd probably do better accommodating a group than Tacos y Salsas or El Taco de Mexico(which also has fine tacos and better chile rellenos than Tacos y Salsas).

[ColoradoFun]

I don't really see Taco Y Salsa as a good location for a group dinner unless you are not concerned about eating at the same table, or even whether you get a table. But I have only been during lunch and it was fairly crowded. Maybe at dinner its less so?

[rlm]

The parking lot at Tacos Jalisco can also be tight. I seem to recall that some of the spots are specifically designated for the laundromat.

[mommy3esq]

Hmmm, thanks for the analysis-- do you recommend Tacos Jalisco after your second visit?

[Chimayo Joe]

For your purposes, yes, I think I'd recommend it. The food is pretty good, the place is small but big enough, and the parking situation isn't all that bad(although the parking is limited in front, Tacos Jalisco is near the end of the block, so there's a side street for parking, too.)

[Megiac]

For a big group, you may want to try El Noa Noa.

[mommy3esq]

True - El Noa Noa can usually accomidate large parties - we are hoping to find some place special where we can go once a month or so to gather and catch up! Our numbers will likely range between 13 to 18 as not everyone or their kids will make it every to every rendez-vous. :-) I haven't been to El Noa Noa in at least 10 years!!! My memory is a little foggy on the details - how is it these days?

[Megiac]

It's not my favorite Mexican in town, but I do think that it is reliably good and I like the margaritas. If you are going to make this a monthly thing, you will get to take advantage of the patio, which I think is the best thing about the place.

[mommy3esq]

Patio sounds nice in spring & summer!

[tatamagouche]

I don't know if this similar ealrier thread will help...
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/471546

[mommy3esq]

I love La Cueva but I was hoping someone might know of a little spot further southwest of downtown but I appreciate the reminder to visit an old fav! Do you know anything about El Real de Minas? Thanks for the help!

[rlm]

I was disappointed with the Real de Minas on East Colfax (if that's the one you are referring to). It was a little bland for my tastes. Granted, I only made one visit and this was about 2 years ago. The secret of any place is knowing what to order and I didn't have any insider tips on this one.
http://realdeminasrest.com/
I'd go to Tacos Y Salsas--the newer one at Federal & Kentucky (depending on how busy they are versus how big your group is, of course).

[mommy3esq]

Thanks for the heads up on Real de Minas - I love rich and spicy so bland is NOT appealing!

[Heyteacher]

Real de Minas is outstanding! Maybe you had a bad dish or something? It's some of the BEST Mexican I've had in CO and I'm from CA originally...we were DYING for good Mexican when we moved here....
BTW< they have another location at Parker and Arapahoe...same great food but futher southeast.