Small place. Great service. Good food. Tacos were delicious.

Seriously one of my favorite spots to eat, not just in Golden but anywhere. Such good food, drinks and friendly staff.

Yes.... Yes... And yes.... Golden, Co what a place you are hiding here. Seriously some of the BEST LATIN FOOD I have ever had. My boyfriend and I were up here for a Red Rocks Concert later that night and because Golden is so close we figured we would drive up early from the Springs and have a day date before hand. Finding tasty places to eat in Golden is easy.... Finding a place that you can't stop talking about and are trying to find another reason to come to Golden once a week is much more challenging, but El Callejon you guys meet this challenge and knocked it out of the park. First off if you are not specifically looking for this place... You will miss it. We were looking for it and it still was hard... It's that TINY! But don't let that deter you.... Once found you are in for amazing tacos and PUPUSAS! Like I said... yes it's very small...my closet is bigger, 2 tables that seat 2-3 people and then the register where you order. The menu isn't huge, but trust me you don't need a 20 page cheesecake factory menu. What they make.... They make exceptionally well. My boyfriend ordered the carnitas tacos and I got the pork and cheese pupusa. For people that don't know what a pupusa is... It's basically a fresh thick corn tortilla stuffed with stuff ( in my case pork and cheese)... Fried up. its amazing....delicious, god I need better adjectives. Both of these dishes ( and I think all of their dishes) come with a Latino relish/slaw concoction, and an aoli- they are spicy , garlicky, and perfectly complement the food you are eating. My boyfriend and I ate our food so fast I didn't even get a chance to snap a picture. After finishing both of us seriously debated ordering again... our taste buds were in shock to the deliciiousness we had just ate. Not wanting to be gluttons we passed the urge but vowed to come back soon. Do yourself a favor and go to this family owned and operated joint. Get amazing food for a cheap price read more

Staff is great and really customer service friendly. I partook in El Callejon after noticing how long the line was at D'Deli and seeing these massive quesadillias everybody was eating outside. I was so hungry and had to have one. I decided to go and order some pupusas and the quesadillia. Pupusas were great but pricey and the quesadillia was overstuffed with chicken toasted just right. Great experience and you get what you pay in taste and quality. Also the other menu items looked great i will be back soon. read more

I had been coming here for quite some time and really enjoyed the food- it's affordable and has vegetarian options. The veggie tacos, pupusas and tamales were all pretty good. Unfortunately, one day I ordered 2 veggie tamales to go and when I got back to work I found pork inside one of them. I called them and they said to come back and they would either give me another or refund my money. I didn't have time to make it back that day. The next time I called to place an order, the (I'm assuming owner) remembered what had happened and instead of just apologizing, she told me she went through the whole batch and threw them all away and that I could not have found meat in mine. She said maybe the cheese had gotten cold, but there's no way I could have found meat and seemed upset that I caused her to throw away an entire batch. Well, even though I don't currently eat meat, I know what meat is and even showed it to coworkers who also identified it as being meat- probably pork, maybe chicken. Bottom line- the food is good, but given the customer service I will NEVER be back (and that's saying a lot because I was a very regular customer). I have many years of being in the restaurant industry and I can say the customer is not always right, but you definitely shouldn't treat your customers as though they are lying to you... apologize and make it right! read more

Update: there is pork in their green chile, but they also have veggie salsa that's really good.

The papusas here were amazing, and the prices are really good for the downtown golden area! I would have given 5 stars, but I heard the owner calling me fat in spanish, so let's call it 3 stars. read more

Stopped in for a quick snack and enjoyed the green chili pupusa. Tip: parking in Golden is a pain - park along the creek and then walk a couple of blocks into town. read more

SO happy we stumbled upon this place! We now drive from East Denver specifically to go to El Callejon. Their food is an explosion of deliciousness with every bite. Definitely try the papusas, you won't regret it! The only down side is that there really are only 4-5 tables inside (there are tables outside for the warmer months). read more

I'm on a mission to try everything on their menu. I live close by and work at a local hotel so I send EVERYONE down to El Callejon. It's cheap and delicious! Their coconut lemonade? Heaven! read more

Good options for vegetarians or pescatarians. The green chile pupusa was super yummy and cheesy. The black bean pupusa was good as well, especially combined with their chipotle sauce. Ee also had the playa blanca wrap with smoked salmon and ripe plantains, it was soooo good! We will come back the next time we are in Golden. Also, nice little tables on the patio if you have your dog with you. read more

Delicious hole in the wall place. Great pupusas. The Pico/coleslaw is outstanding! Would come back just for that. Everything had a nice and spicy kick. read more

There have been awesome reviews about this place. Thought I give it a try. The food is good. Not great. However the prices seemed somewhat high for what you were getting and being primarily a takeout place. The place is small and they have a couple of tables to sit inside. I also wonder if they cook the food fresh to order or just precook the food and put it together when ordered. If you are looking for Latin/Mexican take out in Golden, this is the place to go that is located in the heart of downtown Golden. read more

Good food, not expensive, service was adequate. The gal at the register was not overly friendly, but we were there late afternoon so maybe she was just tired, but just kinda seemed to not care. It is tiny and I was glad it was nice enough to set outside or I would have been claustrophobic. We may eat there again, as food was pretty good and cheap, but probably will try some place else. read more

The shredded chicken burrito smothered with green chili was delicious and packed full of chicken. Great of flavors and spice! Highly recommend this place! read more

We stopped in here for a light lunch after touring the Coors factory and were so happy that we did. My boyfriend and I each got two tacos and they were packed with flavor. I had one beef and one pork and both meats seemed to have been slow-cooked with other ingredients. He said that it was the best taco he had had all year, and we try a lot of tacos. I would love the opportunity to go back and sample their pupusas. read more

I lovvveeee this place! The food is so authentic and the flavor is outrageously good. The lady from Cuba i have talked with many times before has such amazing stories that i love to come back for the food and to talk with her! All over great atmosphere and AMAZING FOOD!! read more

Delicious! I'm addicted. This place is great. The staff is super friendly. The food is incredibly fresh. The sauces and the salsa are the absolute best. The restaurant itself is very small, but has nice seating outside. Expect a casual, quick meal; one you will want to go back for again and again! read more

Great Colombian food. We had the papusas (sp?) and plantains. A great find in a really great setting.

Whoa. If you're in Golden for lunch, go to here (Liz Lemon). The crew are usually three people, the two owners and a helper. Service takes about ten minutes if they're not busy. Papusas, tacos, all top notch. Green chili n cheese or zucchini, yum! Get the coconut lemonade slushie, even if it's cold outside. Vegetarian dishes are worth the trip alone! read more

I have been wanting to try this place for a while and finally went in yesterday while my friends were getting a sandwich next door at D'deli. I ordered the chicken burrito smothered and it was delicious! The green chili has the perfect amount of spice and the chicken is shredded, moist and flavorful. I also ordered a chicken pupusa, highly recommend this. The sauce and slaw that comes with it is perfect, also very flavorful. What a great hidden gem! They also make fresh juice. Not a lot of seating inside this place but there are some outside tables under the tree lined street. read more

Tucked between the incredibly popular D'Deli and Golden Goods, El' Callejon is one of my favorite Latin American places to eat at when I'm on the Downtown Golden area. Service is prompt, the burritos are authentic, and I always leave full. read more

This is a great location in a quaint city to get a solid quesadilla outside of the city of Denver. I ordered the chicken quesadilla and was impressed by the quantity of food that I was provided! There were four separate slices that I could eat and were packed with onions, lettuce, and tomato that provided a nice compliment to the well-cooked chicken. Also, I was given a salsa, sour cream, and a special sauce that all tasted fantastic. However, if given the option I would have requested solely sour cream because that was the best dip for my meal. My only issue with the restaurant was that it did not accept American Express; however, given the fees that AMEX charges to certain restaurants to operate, it makes sense why they don't have it. For a $9 menu option, I was incredibly impressed with the venue and quality of the food, and I would recommend it for anyone who needs a meal after driving through Denver or going on a tour of the Coors Brewery. read more

ROAD TRIPPING THROUGH THE ROCKIES -Karen Kelly, Restaurant Features A welcome addition to the rather ordinary dining options in historic Golden is El Callejon. This little sliver of an eatery tucked between charming gift and clothing shops on Washington Avenue is where the Osorio family serves up tasty Colombian-inspired cuisine from their native Cartegena to an appreciative lunch bunch. If you enjoy uncomplicated takeout dining, try munching on a few tasty, filling wraps, tacos, and quesadillas dished up fresh from their busy kitchen. Limited indoor seating is an amenable option, or al fresco tables on the sidewalk, where people watching adds its own ambiance, weather permitting. I suggest the pupusas, a corn mash pancake-like entree stuffed with meat, black beans, green chile, cheese and veggies. The spinach-mushroom option was delicious, but fill it with chicken or pork and it's even more satisfying, accentuated with pico de gallo, red and chipotle salsa. Along with the mix of traditional tacos, burritos and tamales are several wrapped specialties made with turkey, ham, salmon, or pork with grilled vegetables and various salsas. One of the more intriguing wraps features hummus,couscous, walnuts and avocado. Ask for wheat, flour, pesto or jalapeno tortillas, and you'll no doubt wrap up a personal favorite. The choices abound. Try some with their soup of the day for a few dollars more. Still hungry? Add a side of plantains (fried bananas), black beans, or freshly-made guacamole for a truly authentic experience of South American cuisine. For drinks, try the sweet, tangy mango soda, flavored teas, or coconut lemonade, one of their customized beverages not found elsewhere. The imagination and flair of these regional specialties are well worth sampling over several visits to this delightful new eatery. (Fans of the Osorios cuisine featured at the Golden Farmers market will find the popular dishes pleasantly familiar.) Prices are reasonable for their made to order dishes; no skimping on quality or quantity here. You'll spend around $7 to $10 for an entree, beverage, and a little more for a treat from their ice cream and waffle cone selection. What a nice way to top off a spicy meal before browsing in the charming little shops or heading back to work. Next dining discovery: A Chinese restaurant in Arvada for heavenly good values. Address: 1205 1/2 Washington Avenue, Golden Spring/Summer Hours: 11 to 5 Monday through Thursday and Sundays, 11 to 7 Fridays and Saturdays. Longer hours during First Friday in Golden. (Seasonal hours can change. Best to call ahead.) Credit cards, cash accepted. Call for credit card policy. 303 278-6366 Karen Kelly was a dining/travel feature writer with a weekly column in Pennysaver Magazine, and co-host of a restaurant show on KRLA, and KABC, Los Angeles for over a decade. She never accepts free meals, loves great dining deals, especially if they're under $10 per person. She now calls Colorado home. kkwordsmith2@gmail.com. read more

Spent the full day walking around Golden and El Callejon was the cherry on top of a great day in a wonderful town. I had 2 tacos (one chicken, one carnitas) and they were 2 of the best tacos I've eaten (and I've had a LOT of tacos). I wish I would have ordered a papusa as well as the table next to me got one and it looked great. I can't wait to go back. read more

Most tasty tacos! So delicious and the perfect balance of flavors. super good price. 2 tacos are the perfect size.

We decided to go here based on the reviews, and we were not disappointed! It's small but they have tables outside as well, which worked out great because the weather was nice. You could see a lot of locals frequent the place. I had the pork burrito, my wife had the pork tacos, and my sons had the beef burrito and cheese quesadilla respectively. Everything was excellent! Great find in Golden. We would definitely eat there again. read more

Tiny hole in the wall with fabulous food...and drink! Drink-fresh fruits like guanabana, blackberry, mango. Food-go with pupusa. My favorite is chicken and chile. read more

The most delicious carnitas burrito I've ever had!!! I was just walking down the street looking to grab a bite, and I'm so glad i stopped in here. Authentic and delicious. Cant wait to try the whole menu read more

This place is delicious. I've had the enchiladas, which were really good and usually their lunch special. The quesadilla is also terrific, and what sets it apart is the three types of sauce that come with. Also tried the burrito recently which was one of the best I've had. Very flavorful and large. Everything I mentioned here is under 10 dollars. Only thing I would change is I wish they were open longer into the evening. read more

Columbian tamales . . . where have you been all my life? We stopped in and I originally wanted the pork but they were out so I went with the chicken. My daughter ordered the chicken burrito and my son ordered the black bean papusa. My sometimes picky eater ate every last bite of the papusa. The only things he didn't finish were the sauces. My daughter loved the burrito. I fell in love with the tamales. The banana leaves kept the corn dough soft and imparted a slight sweetness. The flavors were simple but very tasty. The two sauces (a red and a creamy orange) were excellent. The red was a tomato salsa, the creamy orange was a chipotle. They both were "lick the container clean" good. The menu says the tamales are served with a pico de gallo. Instead, they were served with a Columbian style cabbage slaw with tomatoes and a sour/sweet/salty dressing. Excellent all around. Because we had been out in the heat for too long that day, we took the food to go to eat in the car with the AC blowing. It tasted just fine out of the to-go boxes. For drinks, the kids ordered the fruit juices (guava and soursop) while my husband and I both had the coconut lemonade. All of the drinks were good, albeit a bit pricey. This place is a definite two thumbs up. read more

El Callejón "the alley" or "dead end street" is thrifty (lunches for $5), very filling, small, friendly has great flavors and interesting Latin drink choices such as Malta Goya (carbonated malt soda) and nice outside seating. I would recommend the green chili and cheese pupusa or the Columbian tamales with side of fried plantains. read more

I'd give 6 stars if I could. I had my first papusa which was delicious, I only wish the portion was bigger or there was a plate with two papusas. My boyfriend ordered a quesadilla and got much more food than me. This definitely seemed like the hidden gem on a street of tourists burger and beer joints. read more

Excellent tamales. Good gluten free options. Great carnitas. The green chile sauce has just the right amount of spice.

Hands down the best Latin food around! Authentic Colombian dishes, pure deliciousness!!!!

SO GOOD!! I ordered the chicken tacos- they were Ahh-mazing!! Some of the best tacos I've found around golden. Also got a chicken pupusa which was equally as yummy!!! So happy to have found this little gem. Highly recommend!! read more

Authentic Latin food! We had arepas, Colombian chorizo, quesadillas, and papaya juice. Everything was delicious. The owners are friendly and lovely. read more

This place has pupusas! And they were good! I ordered 1 pork and 1 zucchini. It might not be the traditional lorocco, but they tasted fresh, and were oozing with cheese. The only downside was the service; it seemed a bit disjointed. I am thinking it might just be working out the kinks of opening a new restaurant, so I would happily go back. read more

This is a great little place for a quick lunch in Golden. The tamales and papusas are authentic and delicious. And they have a great variety of other wraps and such if you don't want a papusa or tamale. The slaw that comes on the side is addictive! I will be going back often. One drawback--its really small. And I mean REALLY small. 3 crammed tables inside, and a few outside. If its not nice outside, you have to hope that they aren't busy, or you wont' have anywhere to sit. read more

This place is super cute and tiny, with a vibrant feel. The food is beyond delicious, and it's fresh, made-to-order and authentic. The service was really fast and it's reasonably priced. Highly recommended! read more