Any good Mexican Restaurants in Douglas County? (Denver, Pueblo: company, buyer)

[pdth]

ditto, I had the same experience with El Parral. It has changed hands several times over the years, with ups and downs but never able to make money. When it was the Grumpy Gringo it was quite awful.

Most recently, about a year ago, we tried it again and thought it had improved quite a lot. We resolved to go back but haven't gotten around to it yet.

[ditto]

pdth

Thanks for the info - I haven't been there in quite a while. Maybe I'll give it a try again.

[kayrom1]

Los Dos Potrillos on County Line and Holly just over the Douglas County line from Highlands Ranch. They have the only (and I mean ONLY) Mexican food I've been able to tolerate since I moved here from Southern California nine years ago. It's closest to what you've been accustomed to in Calif.

Baja Fresh is not Mexican food. Neither is Qdoba or Chipotle, but they'll satisfy a Mexican fast food hankering to some degree. Wahoo's Fish Taco (across County Line Rd. from Park Meadows Mall near Toys R Us) is also somewhat helpful and at least California-based.

Hacienda Colorado has to have the worst Mexican food I've ever had, and that includes Taco Bell. I cannot, for the life of me, understand its popularity. I think people get blasted on the margaritas and by then the flavor of the food is irrelevant.

If you're taking a day trip down to Manitou Springs, The Loop on the main street in Manitou has some killer margaritas and chile verde.

[ditto]

Originally Posted by kayrom1

Los Dos Potrillos on County Line and Holly just over the Douglas County line from Highlands Ranch. They have the only (and I mean ONLY) Mexican food I've been able to tolerate since I moved here from Southern California nine years ago. It's closest to what you've been accustomed to in Calif.

Baja Fresh is not Mexican food. Neither is Qdoba or Chipotle, but they'll satisfy a Mexican fast food hankering to some degree. Wahoo's Fish Taco (across County Line Rd. from Park Meadows Mall near Toys R Us) is also somewhat helpful and at least California-based.

Hacienda Colorado has to have the worst Mexican food I've ever had, and that includes Taco Bell. I cannot, for the life of me, understand its popularity. I think people get blasted on the margaritas and by then the flavor of the food is irrelevant.

If you're taking a day trip down to Manitou Springs, The Loop on the main street in Manitou has some killer margaritas and chile verde.

Good post.

I totally agree with you on Hacienda Colorado. I've been to the Englewood location and it was horrible. Hacienda Colorado wouldn't survive a week in SoCal. And yes, it's AMAZING how people actually like that place. These people are part of the reason why we cant get enough good Mexican food in Colorado. Check out the reviews. Disturbing, huh?

You have to try Casa Vallarta in Aurora on Parker/Quincy. This place offers generous portions and pretty darn authentic Mexican food. So far, this has been the only decent place I've found. If you go there, respond with your thoughts.

[vegaspilgrim]

I agree that Hacienda sucks-- their food is really bland. I can't believe how enormous that place is-- especially the one by Lincoln/ I-25. Ditto, I've been to Casa Vallarta, and I think their foods sucks too. I went there once and it was lousy-- I could make better food myself, IMO. Not to mention any place that serves tortillas that come out of a plastic bag sucks IMO. One of the better Mexican restaurants I've been to is Las Brisas on Arapahoe (right next to Target)-- their food is pretty good, except for one thing-- plastic bag tortillas. A local chain called "Old Santa Fe" is okay-- clean, edible food, but again, bland taste, and mediocre tortillas. The most god-awful restaurant I've been to that badges itself as "Mexican food" is this place called "Brewery Bar IV" on Parker & Arapahoe. So far the best "Mexican" place I've been to in Denver is On The Border, which is really sad because I hate chains and would love to eat somewhere better-- I just haven't found anywhere better yet. Fortunately, Santa Fe NM is only a 6 hour drive-- so REAL Mexican food is only half a day away! Phoenix AZ, while it has a lot of bad Mexican places, also has a smattering of top notch places as well. That's one thing I'll miss when I (most likely) will move back to Denver in a few months.

[sterlingj]

I don't think Hacienda actually bills its cuisine as authentic "Mexican," but, according to their website, "Mountain Mex." I don't really think it's fair to judge its food against other traditional Mexican restaurants. I actually have friends from Costa Rica who love the food there - according to them, its mildness more closely approximates food in their native country. Just because it's different than what some might be used to in SoCal doesn't mean it's bad! Having lived in California, there seems to be this frantic quest for authenticity among Californians. It's materialism to the extreme, IMO. People always seemed to be desperately seeking the most "authentic" experience, food, etc., even if it meant going way out of their way (driving 80 miles, waiting in line for 3 hours). Perhaps its an attempt to fill some void created by all of the transplants there and lack of history (as with many places in the west, including Colorado).

Anyway, I have enjoyed good Mexican food at a place called Guadalajara in Parker. Also, there is a fantastic Sushi/French fusion restaurant in Parker called Junz. They fly in fresh seafood daily and there are some really creative things on the menu.

[ditto]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

I agree that Hacienda sucks-- their food is really bland. I can't believe how enormous that place is-- especially the one by Lincoln/ I-25. Ditto, I've been to Casa Vallarta, and I think their foods sucks too. I went there once and it was lousy-- I could make better food myself, IMO. Not to mention any place that serves tortillas that come out of a plastic bag sucks IMO.

I think we just have different tastes. From the Mexican food I'm used to in Los Angeles, Casa Vallarta was the most similar - so far. Mind you, I've only been there once, so my opinion could change down the road. Their beans, rice, pico, & salsa were terrific. The carne asada was traditional and seasoned nicely. Best of all, the portions served were very generous.

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

One of the better Mexican restaurants I've been to is Las Brisas on Arapahoe (right next to Target)-- their food is pretty good, except for one thing-- plastic bag tortillas.

I was there about 3 months ago and did not care for their food. I don't know what they are trying to accomplish, but it deffinetly wasn't traditional Mexican. And the prices were outrageous - Mexican food is supposed to be cheap. The food did seem quite fresh and wasn't bad, but it's not a place for good Mexican food. I won't be making a repeat visit.

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

A local chain called "Old Santa Fe" is okay-- clean, edible food, but again, bland taste, and mediocre tortillas.

Pretty much agree with you on Old Santa Fe.

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

The most god-awful restaurant I've been to that badges itself as "Mexican food" is this place called "Brewery Bar IV" on Parker & Arapahoe.

Never been there but I'll take your word for it. As a general rule I'd probably stay away from a place with "Bar" in the title for Mexican food.

[Sters]

Coming from New Jersey, a Mexican food wasteland, I'm sure anything in Colorado will seem totally amazing.

It's the baked goods I'm concerned about. I hear good donuts, pasteries, bread, and bagels are impossible to find....but I'm off topic.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by Sters

Coming from New Jersey, a Mexican food wasteland, I'm sure anything in Colorado will seem totally amazing.

It's the baked goods I'm concerned about. I hear good donuts, pasteries, bread, and bagels are impossible to find....but I'm off topic.

Off topic indeed, unless we're talking about MEXICAN donuts, pastries, bread and bagels.

Breads here are pretty good, but nothing like the stuff I used to get in the Italian bakeries in Bayonne, NJ when I visited the Army terminal up there....

[vegaspilgrim]

Great Harvest Bread Company? It's a chain, but pretty good!