Best authentic Mexican food (and pizza) in Fort Collins area? (Denver: home, neighborhood)

[kshaunfield]

I recently moved to the area from Houston, TX where it was easy to live off of delicious, inexpensive real Mexican food (not Tex-Mex) from hole-in-the-wall taquerias and taco trucks. So far, I haven't had much luck finding many authentic places (though Taqueria Los Comales on Prospect is pretty good). Also, I'm willing to drive to Loveland or Greeley. Your recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

(On a side note, I also really love goood PIZZA, so help me out there too.)

[tfox]

There's not much truly authentic Mexican in Fort Collins, to be honest. Taqueria Los Comales is about as good as you'll find. There are several American Southwest/Mexican places that are worth checking out. The original Big City Burrito is quite good, particularly thier potato burrito. Don't bother with any other location other than their one by CSU though. There's another descent place called "La Luz" in old town that is worth a try. Neither even claim to be particularly Mexican, however, and they're not.

As for pizza, that's so subjective it's hard to tell you. Beau Jo's in old town is worth a try, but I'll warn you that the pizza style is likely very different from what you're used to (ultra thick crust baked with honey), but it's a Colorado favorite so you have to go there at least once. You can try the lunch buffet to sample their different styles. A more traditional pizza can be had at Positano's Pizza on South College, pretty good. PanHandler's is a decent college delivery pizza. There are probably some others that have sprung up since I left town.

[chilaili]

I like Adelita's in old town Loveland

[xeric]

It depends on what you mean by Mexican food. There's an incredible amount of regional variety in Mexico, but we don't get much of that in the States. There's a restaurant called Las Tarascos (near downtown on College) that is owned by people from the southern Mexican state of Michoacan. They have all the standard stuff that is associated with Mexican food here, but they also have some regional specialities. I highly recommend the shrimp in diablo sauce or tricolor enchiladas (with 3 sauces that are red, green, and white to match the Mexican flag).

For New Mexican green chile sauce I recommend Consuelos (although they unfortunately don't make a vegetarian version). I also like Los Comales (mentioned by some other posters).

Other then those, I'm afraid that most Mexican restauants here just offer the generic 5 or 6 ingredients combined in slighly different ways (and covered with half a pound of melted cheese).

[golfgod]

As long as you don't mind the drive to Loveland I recommend Abo's or Dare's for pizza. Abos is NY style and have another store in, I think, Boulder. They're at 287 at 29th, SW corner in a small center. Dare's is in the Albertson's center at Taft & US 34. During lunch they offer pizza by the slice.

I can't recall the Mexican place on the south side of town but it's pretty good. It's on the east side of US 287 between SW 14th and 1st ST. It's just about the spot where US 287 splits into a divided road. Doesn't look like much which to me is a good sign.

golfgod

[Crazy88]

I enjoy Los Torascos (about as authentic as you can get in old town) and Pueblo Viejo and El Burrito and Los Comales. Consuelos is good, but the atmosphere and ambiance are pretty old school and plain.

There are several other mexican restaurants in the area, but they are either tex-mex or not very authentic.

On to the pizza scene. Whoa where do I start. I have been here six years and have just recently found a favorite pizza place. There are TONS of low-budget-deliver-to-student types such as Blackjack and Pudge bros etc. And the grease from Pizza Casbah really makes my stomach hurt.

I go to Pizzeria La Collina (easily my favorite in FC), Old Chicago, Woodys, and Pizza Hut (its honestly pretty good)

If you get a frozen pizza, make sure its Home Run Inn.

[Scott5280]

I'm aware that the Rio Grande isn't authentic Mexican food...Actually used to work at the Boulder location about 12 years ago...Any way I am heading up to Fort Collins for a few days---how is the place these days?..is it still a pretty solid quality Tex- Mex place to eat?...their fajitas used to be some of the best..WHAT SAY YOU LOCALS....

[Crazy88]

Yeah its good tex-mex and still have great margs. I really only go there during the summer and on Fri and Sat the place is a madhouse. Not sure about the winter time though.

['M']

Originally Posted by kshaunfield

I recently moved to the area from Houston, TX where it was easy to live off of delicious, inexpensive real Mexican food (not Tex-Mex) from hole-in-the-wall taquerias and taco trucks. So far, I haven't had much luck finding many authentic places (though Taqueria Los Comales on Prospect is pretty good). Also, I'm willing to drive to Loveland or Greeley. Your recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

(On a side note, I also really love goood PIZZA, so help me out there too.)

Haven't tried any of the places mentioned in previous posts in Fort Collins...but I will be trying them as soon as I can

The best Mexican food is in Denver where there are many local Mom-and-Pop places. Think Los Dos Patrillos at County Line and Holly...they have a fabulous mariachi band there one or two nights a week. Also, the Bluebonnet on Broadyway. Benny's in Capitol Hill. Tacqueria Patzcuaro in north Denver/Highlands area...don't be afraid to go here, the neighborhood is fine...many downtown folks come for lunch. Jose O'Shea's on the west side of Denver. La Cocina off Quebec/Iliff.

Tosh's Hacienda near downtown and the DTC, El Taco de Mexico near dntn, La Loma in north Denver, La Fogata on E. Evans...

Also, 3 Margaritas (Denver, Loveland and Fort Collins) can have great food, depending on what you order. There are a lot more, but my memory is fading Till the next time...Adios!

P.S. Greeley used to have Tio Juan's...but it folded. It was very good. Anyone know of any really authentic places in Greeley?

[maximusmgm]

The best pizza in the fort is Cozzola's (locations in Old Town and on S. Lemay).