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    Carnitas California

    4.5 (102 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Carnitas California Takeout or Delivery

    Carnitas California Photos

    CARNITAS CALIFORNIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    1. Breakfast Burrito chorizo
    Brad B.

    So glad that I stopped in this morning for my first time. What a great breakfast burrito spot!! I used to live on federal, and these burritos are better than anything I've had off federal. The potatoes are shredded and cooked a little crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. These things are packed with cheese and tons and protein. I tried the Chorizo and bacon options and they were fantastic. The sauces provided were also great. Not too spicy but a good amount. And these things are HUGE!! Go get you some.

    Isaac R.

    If you're looking for authentic Mexican food, this is the spot. Menudo is a little pricey. I would go with the breakfast burrito for most bang for your buck. Tacos are quality street tacos. The people are nice and if you order for there to eat and they'll serve you as they make it so it's almost like having different courses. They are also willing to make anything you want so you can really order anything as long as they have the ingredients. Also super clean for being a small almost hole in the wall. Ask place but spotless interior. Authentic style, don't come for the ambiance but the food is amazing and fresh

    Chorizo breakfast burrito. I had to supply my own coffee.
    Jon L.

    Best breakfast burrito in town. Large enough a couple of people but the chorizo has a nice level of heat and though it has potatoes they are finely grated so you're not chewing through big hunks. I don't understand the presence of potatoes in any burrito, but if you have to add them this is how. Gives the burrito a nice texture and combined with Carnitas Californias quality and thin tortilla it makes for a nicely chewy breakfast experience.

    Carnitas tacos and Adobada Tacos
    Arya S.

    Some of the best well priced Mexican food in Denver hands down! I loved this place and will definitely be coming back here as often as I can. I got a breakfast burrito ($6.50) almost as big as my forearm, 2 $2.50 tacos, and a horchata for 16 dollars. It was fantastic and I loved the value for the amount of food and it tasted amazing. The restaurant is a small hole in the wall and is relatively easy to miss. The staff was kind and helpful and they got the food out very fast. There's limited seating in the restaurant, but since the food is fast to get made a lot of people take the food to-go. I highly recommend you check this place out if you are in Denver and looking for authentic Mexican food.

    Menú 9/24/22
    Alexandra D.

    Noticed this place here for years and today was my first time trying it. It was love at first bite! Prices are not too bad considering the value you get. Aguas frescas are delicious and just how I like it-especially the horchata- not too sweet, just right and refreshing. The burrito was very filling; large size but very delicious. Rice, beans, carnitas and a mix of pico all wrapped in a flour tortilla. The salsas they offer, red and green; they are both very good and full of flavor. I will definitely love to try more of their dishes but until then, here's a glimpse of the menu and a mouthwatering photo of the burrito

    Counter where to order.
    Kyla B.

    This a go to for us locals for awesome, authentic Mexican food. Everything I have ever had is great. Breakfast burritos, the south Cali burrito, Fortas, tacos. You can't go wrong. Have always got it to go, but every time I haven been they cook to order and it's quick.

    Fatty Carnitas post rendering and frying in my pan at home. Note the paper towels soaking up a lake of fat : /
    Mark H.

    I ate here about 5 years ago and came back when I was in the area. I remembered really enjoying the Carnitas and they were nice big chunks of slow cooked pork, then placed on a grill until the exterior was deliciously crispy. A 5 star experience. Today I ordered Carnitas with tortillas, rice and beans to go. When I got home 20 minutes later I saw it was Carnitas but they were very fatty and not made crisp on the griddle at all. Do you have to request that any Mexican restaurant does this with carnitas? It's always been automatic anywhere else, especially in California where I discovered Carnitas decades ago. Not much of my order was edible as is you with squares of non rendered pork fat bigger than the chunks of meat... Today their Carnitas earned only one star. Fortunately I have skills so I seasoned them up and fried them in a pan until they were crispy. I earned two of the 3 stars for them but I'll still give them 3 stars anyhow in hopes that just maybe it was an off day. Before I went in I almost placed my order online but they were closing soon so I opted to walk inside to place my order. While the price online was $11.25 (see photo) they charged me $15.12? It's possible their online pricing is out of date but it comes across as shady when there's inconsistent pricing.

    So Cal Burrito. Water bottle for scale.

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    1 month ago

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    1 year ago

    Unfortunately, there was a hair in my food, which was really disappointing. Won't be ordering from this place again...

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    9 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Great carnitas and Buche. Not a huge fan of their menudo. Pozole is good there. I would highly recommend.

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    11 months ago

    Had a barbacoa torta and asked if they could add beans to it. Best torta and barbacoa I had in a really long time. Everyone was really nice.

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    1 year ago

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

    This place is so slow. Went in for two burritos to go and it took almost half an hour. They weren't that great either.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    The chorizo breakfast burrito was so juicy. The best I've ever had. Staff was friendly and service was fast.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Las mejores carnitas en Denver, a mi y a mi familia nos encanta ir a esas carnitas son las mejores y otros platillos

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    A great value for the price of the breakfast burritos. Tasted great! Will be back for sure!

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    Corinne Denver

    Corinne Denver

    4.0
    (742 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$

    Corinne is one of those good go-to spots. When we can't decide where to eat, we know it'll hit…read more This time we sat at the bar for brunch, which we don't do often, and Ryan was our bartender. He set the tone right away! Warm, happy to have us there, easy to talk to. I mentioned to my friend that I was thinking about a bloody mary, and a minute or two later Ryan asked if he should get that bloody started. He'd caught it in passing conversation, not because he was hovering. That's a hard balance to strike and he nailed it all afternoon. The drinks were great. Nothing fancy on my end, a bloody mary, a shaken screwdriver. Not too strong or weak. Sounds simple, but a lot of bartenders can't consistently hit it! We all got eggs your way, simple stuff done well. The roasted fingerling potatoes were crispy outside, fluffy inside, super good!! The strawberry jam was giving homemade, but I didn't confirm. Overall, Ryan made the visit. Calm presence, good company, and there's nothing better than a brunch seat at his bar next to those big open windows!

    I have long suspected that restaurants, like people, occasionally wake up convinced the universe…read morehas declared war on their schedule. Corinne, on paper, is a pleasant enough place. It sits conveniently near the Convention Center, possesses a polished dining room, and harbors ambitions that deserve encouragement. On the Fourth of July, however, time itself wandered off to watch fireworks. Six coworkers and I arrived for our 7:30 reservation. We were seated immediately at a comfortable table in the back. The dining room was only about two-thirds full, which made the evening's upcoming mystery all the more impressive. That prompt seating, as it turned out, was the fastest thing that would happen to us all night. Our server greeted us, took drink orders, and brought out some warm Parker House rolls with Amish butter, alongside a bowl of French onion soup. This part was good. The rolls were soft; the soup was rich and comforting. Spirits were high. We ordered our entrees. Then the clocks stopped. Twenty minutes passed. Then forty. Then an hour. At first, we assumed our meals required extraordinary craftsmanship. Perhaps each potato was receiving a heartfelt, individual farewell before being mashed. Maybe the cows for our burgers were being transported from the farm where they source their meat in Wyoming fresh to order. But then we noticed something unsettling: nearly every table around us was waiting, too. Plates were strangely absent across the entire room. We had all been trapped inside an intermission with no second act. Our server, looking more exhausted with every trip from the kitchen, assured us our meals had "just been fired." I believed that he believed it. Ten more minutes drifted by. Our dinners finally appeared roughly ninety minutes after we had ordered. I felt bad for the man. He stayed friendly and professional while serving as the lightning rod for a kitchen catastrophe he had nothing to do with. Sometimes the person carrying the bad news is the one who deserves the most sympathy. The food, at least, tried its best. One of us couldn't stop talking about how excellent the pork chop was. Another declared the salmon outstanding. Three of us ordered the Brush Creek Wagyu burger. Mine arrived a perfect medium-rare. The other two, ordered medium, arrived practically mooing. But after waiting an hour and a half, nobody had the stomach to send them back into the void. They just ate their rare meat and kept quiet. To the restaurant's credit, our server chopped twenty-five percent off the bill without us having to ask. It was a decent, quiet gesture. It acknowledged that the evening had gone entirely off the rails. Corinne clearly has potential. The location is great, the space is nice, and when the food actually makes it to the table, it's mostly quite good. I suspect we simply wandered in on a spectacularly bad holiday evening. Even so, a ninety-minute wait and some undercooked burgers are hard to ignore. I hope our night was the exception, but I'm not entirely sure I'd gamble my evening to find out.

    Photos
    Corinne Restaurant - Dining Room
    Corinne Restaurant - Dining Room
    Our Miso Glazed Halibut is made with mushroom dashi, sugar snap peas, baby bok choy, honshimeji mushrooms, romanesco, and pearl onions.
    Our Miso Glazed Halibut is made with mushroom dashi, sugar snap peas, baby bok choy, honshimeji mushrooms, romanesco, and pearl onions.
    The Corinne Cobb is colorful and delicious!

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    The Corinne Cobb is colorful and delicious!
    Former Saint Craft Kitchen and Taps

    Former Saint Craft Kitchen and Taps

    3.5
    (110 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$

    Well, I have visited this restaurant 3 times. All 3 times have been for a holiday brunch or…read moredinner. Location (4 stars) This restaurant is downtown near the convention center. parking is pricy if you valet park at the hotel. Last year it was around $40. Parking in the lot across the street for $25 dollars Easter Sunday. If you use a walker, I would not recommend the parking lot across the street. Food (3 Stars) The Thanksgiving buffet is the best one. I would rate that buffet a (4). The Christmas and Easter buffet are pretty low key. There is a carving station (ham and prime rib). There is an omelet station. Dessert bar is decorative. Cheesecake was delicious. The warming station with potatoes, sausage etc. leaves much to be desired. The charcuterie station is sparse. They offer unlimited mimosas for an additional $25. Service (5 stars) Staff are extremely friendly. Cleanliness (2 stars) My only complaint, I saw a tabletop being cleaned off with a rag used to clean the chairs and then under the table on the floor and on to the next tabletop. I'm just a little picky about that. Especially since folks these days go commando and wear short attire, and you know their parts are on the chair and now spread to tabletops. Wiping up the crumbs off the floor with same rag simply through me over the edge. Atmosphere (4 stars) Spacious uncrowded environment. Nice decor. Bright with large windows.

    During the last few Denver Restaurant Week events, I've tried to take the offerings as an…read moreopportunity to sample restaurants that I haven't tried, or otherwise may not try, and see if I can add to my list of favorites. I saw Former Saint on CBS News, and the menu and food looked incredible. In particular, that white chocolate blueberry cheesecake was something I know my hubby would look forward to all week! I loved the idea of local food and fresh homemade dishes. Sounds healthy, after a week of potential over-indulgence at other restaurant week venues. An additional bonus was that it is located right near the Denver Convention Center and the Performing Arts Center. This has become a dry spot for fine dining, with even the choices on Larimer Square growing more thin, giving rise to the inability to get reservations at favorites like Tamayo and Rioja prior to a show. I go to performances frequently with friends, and despite my rule to avoid hotel restaurants (Former Saint is in the Hyatt Regency), I thought I'd scope out Former Saint as a place to take my friends before the next symphony or Children's Chorale or ballet or broadway performance. I must say, the jury is still out. Former Saint was a Jekyll and Hyde of courses. Parking was not difficult (Yay, maybe I can park here prior to my shows, if I grab a bite first). There is a large garage, and the promise of validation from the restaurant. The ambiance of the restaurant is typical hotel restaurant. Booths, tables, old and a bit drab. Except for the bar. Oh, my! The bar has this BEAUTIFUL copper creation above it, adding so much industrial character to the space! I was in awe looking at it, as it appeared to bring craft suds to the bartender's taps. I didn't ask how it worked, as it wasn't clear how the beer separation and dispensing worked, but it was a great centerpiece and spectacle for the place. I do wish I had investigated more about this architectural marvel, and will do so if I return. For restaurant week, my husband chose the Lobster Ravioli, Ribeye, and blueberry cheesecake (as predicted). I chose the Gotham salad, roasted chicken, and key lime tart. The lobster ravioli was nice; my husband was surprised that it was a toasted ravioli, but enjoyed it. My salad was full of beautiful greens, pears, walnuts, and feta. No scrimping here! The dressing was light and sweet/sour. The pears were a bit unripe and crisp, to the point that I was having trouble identifying exactly what fruit I was eating, but other than that, the salad was beautiful, healthy, and ample. My husband's ribeye steak was a nice cut, done to his liking. Slivered hash browns were underneath with a nice green chimichurri on top and some sliced Fresnos adding a welcome kick to the dish. My chicken was delightful. 1/2 chicken on the bone, seasoned nicely, and with a pan sauce. The breast was super-tender and delicious. It came atop cheesy grits, which was a yummy substitute for a mashed potato. I also was served side salad of curly lettuce and fennel. I probably didn't need more salad, but I was glad to have the healthy side on my plate. I will say that this salad was over-seasoned. The chicken and grits were great, but the salad too salty. My husband ordered a glass of J. Lohr Cabernet, which was a very nice find on the wine list, as far as a pairing for his ribeye. That said, the glass cost $30! A bit much, I might say. The real detractor, unfortunately, was dessert. The blueberry cheesecake looked nothing like the beautiful creamy white cheesecake accented throughout by purple blueberries, which I saw on the CBS News clip. My husband was served a very small solid purple slice, overcome with whipped cream dollops. This cheesecake had been uncovered in the fridge too long, with sort of a skin on it. My husband ate almost none of it. My key lime tart was similarly over-adorned with whipped cream, although I had some nice raspberries on top. The tart also seemed overexposed to the cool air, with the thickening of a skin on top. It was a very disappointing way to end a nice meal, and belied the healthy, homemade, craft theme. High points of this experience include the well-crafted and healthy entrees, the fact that we could see the convention center right outside our window (i.e., the location is perfect for pre-event or -theater), the $3.00 validated parking fee, and that beautiful copper tap system. Will the pros outweigh the cons? Will we be back with friends? Time will tell.

    Photos
    Outside
    Outside
    Lamb with carrots and puréed parsnip
    Lamb with carrots and puréed parsnip
    Bar

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    Bar
    The Delectable Egg-Denver

    The Delectable Egg-Denver

    4.3
    (847 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$

    Came here with my sister on an early morning and they were able to seat us right away. It had a…read moredecent amount of people for being 9am on a Friday morning. Has a cozy feel to it. We ordered quite a few things because we couldn't decide what we wanted to eat. Might have been a mistake because the size portions were huge! It was great for the price, we had so many left overs. Our waiter was on top of it and made sure that we had everything that we needed. The food was tasty and came out super hot! I would be happy to come back here. Overall 5/5 stars

    We were sat quickly and had great service from the host/waitress, but unfortunately our food took…read more30 minutes to come out after we ordered. This was pretty disappointing as I was really anticipating a great experience all around after seeing the Yelp reviews and getting recommended this place by a local. I was also excited when I saw the expansive menu with lots of great-looking options. The food was also subpar for my tastebuds. The scrambled eggs were lukewarm and lacked flavor. The pancake crumbled as soon as you put syrup and tried to pick it up. The best part was the chicken sausage, which was served hot and not too salty or oily. I really liked the vibe inside, with the open feeling and the red brick interior. There are clean bathrooms. Our waitress was really great - super kind and attentive. Unfortunately the kitchen lacked. It was convenient being able book a reservation, they also have a waitlist that you can join prior to heading to the restaurant. I probably would skip this place if you're visiting from out of town like I am. There are a lot of other brunch spots in the city that I would want to try instead.

    Photos
    The interior on a quiet Sunday early morning
    The interior on a quiet Sunday early morning
    Fiesta Skillet
    Fiesta Skillet
    Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, Crystal, and the St. Patrick's Day Specials

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    Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, Crystal, and the St. Patrick's Day Specials
    Death & Co

    Death & Co

    4.2
    (550 reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $$$

    Upscale lobby bar with excellent cocktails. 4.5 stars…read more Food: NA. Service: 4 Atmosphere: 5 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Opentableable: no but via their site Return worthiness: yes Highlights - Kim: wonderful bartender who helped us throughout the night. 5 star service - Cookies: brown butter chocolate chip were wonderful. Can forgo milk and get an extra cookies. 4.75 stars - Moroccan old fashioned: wonderful version 4.75 stars - Paradise falls: blueberry foam was great. 4.5 stars - Spy vs spy: like a painkiller mixed with espresso martini. Hub loved it. 4.5 stars - Emerald Grove:: tall gin green tea mint and coconut 4.5 stats - Bar mix: perfect combo of salty and sweet. 4.5 stars Lowlights - Had a reservation and said they'd sit us at the bar and let us know when sears open up but never did - No soda so couldn't get one for a responsible needs to work one with us

    I had already been impressed by the Death & Co in NYC, so I knew I had to try their branch in…read moreDenver. I was not disappointed. A moody, velvet filled space with a comfortable bar. Laid back vibe and welcoming staff. Nothing pretentious at all. The bartenders were knowledgeable and gave great suggestions. Always stayed on top of my drinks. The thing I like most about Death & Co is the way the categorize their drinks: Light and playful, bright and confident, elegant and timeless, boozy and honest, and rich and comforting. I had the aqua profunda (cognac, St. George basil eau di vie, lillet rose, strawberry, lime, and absinthe). I also had the eight limb daiquiri (rum, Canada aguardiente, Thai tea cordial, lime leaf, and Maraschino). The Blood Oath (mezcal, Vecchio del capo, Calabrian chili amaro, St. Germain Elderflower, lavender, honey, lemon). All were complex and delicious. You could pick out every flavor, yet everything melded together so well. They also have some basic bar food and snacks, but somewhat elevated. I had the D&C Burger and it was juicy, rich, and had some great accompanying fries. I usually try to give a more in depth idea of cocktails available, but Death & Co has such a diverse menu with so many amazing craft cocktails that I can't offer that this time . . . you'll have to go in and see it for yourself!

    Photos
    Beautiful selection of spirits and the bar tenders were phenomenal!
    Beautiful selection of spirits and the bar tenders were phenomenal!
    Mushroom Fritter
    Mushroom Fritter
    Nurturing Rain

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    Nurturing Rain
    Fox And The Hen

    Fox And The Hen

    4.4
    (405 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$

    Yummo! Love the food and the atmosphere. Service was great. Gonna come back again soon!read more

    Great 1st experience at Fox and the Hen. Called before and the hostess was nice enough to put us on…read morea list. There is mainly street parking and we got lucky with a spot just down the street. The restaurant was already busy at 9am and had a long wait when we left. Testament to good restaurant and popular neighborhood. This is a brunch spot so come ready for breakfast and/or lunch grub. We were hungry and tried a bunch. The drip coffee & lattes were delicious (oat milk is available) and come in cute animal cups. We started with 2 of the sausage rolls which are akin to pigs in a blanket but much higher quality sausage in puff pastry served with syrup. Very good but nothing extraordinary. The small bite star is the spicy egg salad on crispy potato. These are divine with just enough spice to balance the creamy egg salad and insanely crunchy and delicious fried potato (like crispy rice but potato) We also shared a muffin of the day which rotates flavors. It was spectacular. The mortadella Sammy was fried and filling with a berry jam, cheese and egg. I had the egg over medium and it was messy in the best way. This is a sandwich to have extra napkins for. I'd 100% recommend it. The avocado toast was tasty and came with poached eggs (you can order one or two). Great food, service and vibes. Note there is a 20% service charge that is separate from tip, Our server did explain it when we first sat down so it wasn't hidden.

    Photos
    Inside = packed at 10:30
    Inside = packed at 10:30
    Bobby Flay-Vos
    Bobby Flay-Vos
    Cute coffee mugs

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    Cute coffee mugs

    Carnitas California - mexican - Updated July 2026

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