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    El Jefe

    4.2 (334 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 10:00 am - 2:30 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order El Jefe Takeout or Delivery

    El Jefe Photos

    EL JEFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - El Jefe

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    chorizo taco and birria tacos
    Kirsten C.

    best Mexican food in town!! farm to table, always fresh and the best, friendly service!!

    Happy hour carnitas taco
    Noah K.

    Tacos were great, the pinto bean carne asada was a combination I didn't know I needed. Service was friendly and the patio is the vibe for a sunny day. Value for Happy hour was okay, $9 house margaritas and $4 tacos, $8 Chips and salsa trio.

    Breakfast Burrito
    Marley U.

    The staff here are so nice! I just didn't love the breakfast burrito unfortunately. For me, the menu was limited and there isn't anything else I would've ordered. But the staff!

    Mahi Mahi
    Michelle G.

    Ambiance was fine. We ended up in a corner booth that was suppose to be nice and cozy, it was freezing. Ordered: Guacamole Chicharrones Brussel sprouts Mole (they were out on a Friday night) subbed with Mahi Fish tacos 3 margaritas Guac was good. Chuxharrones were pork rinds that tasted like mission ones from a bag. Brussel sprouts would have been good but were really salty. Mahi was flavorless but my husband liked the tacos. We're charged extra for salsa Bill was $145 Isn't somewhere I would come back to. Quality not worth the cost.

    Beef Barbacoa Tacos Plate
    Bernadette B.

    This was a solid place to get some dinner! This place threads the needle between authentic and modern fusion, and I think it does it reasonably well. I was ECSTATIC to see fried plantains on the menu since very few Mexican restaurants offer it, and it tasted a little like home. We were disappointed that they were out the Al Pastor, but our waitress explained that their chef only sources high quality ingredients, and if they can't get enough, they're just simply out for the day. That seems like a good a reason as any to explain why you'd run out of a menu item. I ordered the Birria Ramen, and it was... interesting. I won't say that I'd get it again, but it was an interesting experience. It wasn't bad. It just wasn't great and didn't make my heart and stomach sing. I'd be open to trying some of their other offerings in the future though. A great place to go. Friendly serving staff. Fun environment. Solid food.

    Happy hour
    Jewells B.

    Bartender was amazing food was amazing!! Beef barbacoa tacos. Sangria and Bloody Mary!

    Burnt orange
    Charisse Q.

    We went here for my birthday and it was pretty delicious. It was a weekday and was not busy at all so the service was great and quick. I do not have anything bad to say about it! It wasn't the best food but still pretty good. The decor is cute! I believe it's farm to table so we love that!

    3 happy hour tacos (carnitas & chorizo) and Chicken & Plantain Quesadilla
    Court N.

    We love El Jefe. It's a chill vibe and the food is great. We love their happy hour and always also order the plantain chicken quesadilla. The staff was very attentive and constantly checking on us. We got great service. One of our more favorite spots.

    Taco Tuesday! House margrita, salsa trio, and 3 tacos (farmer, chorizo, and beef)
    Emilie G.

    This has been our go-to neighborhood spot for tacos and margaritas. The service is great, we usually sit at the bar since the bartenders/management are really nice. It's a fun atmosphere. We really enjoy the quesabirria tacos, chips and queso (add chorizo!), guacamole, and mole enchiladas. The churros are also a must! Best churros I've had in Denver so far. Highly recommend going for brunch (bottomless mimosas/margs) and taco Tuesday. They serve great food and drinks at a great price!

    QUESABIRRIA Time!!!
    Jeff D.

    Mo and I did a dine in for dinner last night and yes make a reservation in advance as El Jefe isn't super big. Appetizer wise we ordered the Guac w Cojita Cheese ($2 extra) along with the Salsa Trio which was Salsa roja, xni-pec and salsa verde.The chips were def made in house and had the right amount of salt. All salsas were tasty! Then I ordered the QUESABIRRIA which was their Slow cooked marinated beef in 3 folded corn tortillas with melted asadero cheese. Avocado salsa on top. Served with a side of consomé with onions and cilantro (au jus) for dipping. This alone was worth coming here because this was the least greasiest Quesabirria I've ever had! It was so good I ate all 3! On Tuesdays, they have select Tacos @ $2 a piece which is a fair deal. For dessert we did their MEX-KEY LIME PIE which was made with a Graham cracker crust, Mexican key lime custard, caramelized pumpkin seeds + whipped cream. It was great but I would get it next time without the seeds. No need for that. They get one less star because the 2 types of Tequila I asked for they didn't have. So I settled for one that was mediocre and so much that I didn't finish my drink. The service was good and the food came out quickly. It's a nice date or friends night out spot!

    Chilaquiles Brunch Plate
    Stacy M.

    We stumbled across this gem looking for a Sunday brunch and it did not disappoint. We started with bottomless mimosas (sangria and bloody Mary's were an option as well) and the MOST amazing guacamole I've ever had (and I go to Mexico every year). The food was outstanding..spicy but delicious. The serve and atmosphere were wonderful. A must if you are in the area

    Cod tacos with a side of plaintains
    Ruth D.

    Highly recommend for the food! The staff was a little peculiar in their rhythm in attending to the host/ess stand and visiting the table. That's not a complaint. My part of two didn't go wanting and they were good folks. I do recommend peaking around the host/ess stand corner and locking eyes with someone if no one greets you when you walk in. The house margaritas are perfect and the food is filling and flavorful.

    Savanna B.

    I went in for happy hour the other night and boy was it good! My husband and I both had margaritas- just the right amount of salt, no or almost no sweet and sour...good enough that we both had a second even though we'd only intended to have one. I really liked their chips. They're thicker than the normal variety and taste house made. The guacamole was yummy and fresh, but we both really enjoyed the queso dip- seriously, I've been thinking about it all week. We also ordered the chicken fajita tacos- flavorful without being spicy (important when you e got a 2 year old in tow) and the veggie farm tacos, which were a little spicy, but were such a great combination of beans and veggies that I didn't mind the spice since it meant I didn't have to share!! We'll definitely be back for happy hour soon. I'd also really like to make it for brunch sometime as their brunch menu looks delicious!

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    5 months ago

    Michael was amazing! great suggestions and so wonderful !! Such great food! We will be back!!'

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    5 months ago

    Michael took amazing care of us and had great suggestions! The food was so fresh and delicious! I suggest it!

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    1 year ago

    Great spot always looking for authentic Mexican food in Denver and this place did not disappoint. Great margs and fresh food.

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Very delicious very yummy. Very good. Will come here again always the service was mid, but the ambience was good. The food was good.

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    1 year ago

    Slow service, empty room and had to ask for a booth. She had to check reservations. LOL. No one in the restaurant. Food was just blah.

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    Alma Fonda Fina

    Alma Fonda Fina

    4.8
    (281 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    Ever since moving to Denver, Alma Fonda Fina has been at the top of my restaurant bucket list. I…read morefinally managed to get a reservation (booked exactly 60 days in advance when they opened), and it was absolutely worth the wait. Having that much time before our reservation also meant I got to thoroughly research the menu, which definitely paid off. The restaurant itself is beautiful. It's small, intimate, and has a modern aesthetic. There isn't a ton of seating, but that's part of the charm. There's patio seating along the railing outside, bar seating where you can watch the chefs work their magic in the open kitchen, and just a handful of tables inside. Parking is street parking in the surrounding neighborhood, and from what it looked like, most of it is paid. It was just me and a friend, and we shared four dishes, which ended up being the perfect amount of food. We started with the Callo de Hacha al Horno, and these were hands down the best scallops I've ever had. The presentation alone was gorgeous, with the scallops served in their shell, but the flavor completely stole the show. I'm a huge seafood fan, and this dish absolutely delivered. My friend isn't even much of a seafood person, and it was his first time trying scallops and he loved them too. I joked that he may have ruined scallops for himself because it's hard to imagine finding a better version. Next, we each ordered a Taco Campechano, and wow. This was either the best or second-best taco I've ever had. The taco features two different meats with a green salsa on one half and a red salsa on the other, making every bite a little different. Both sides were fantastic, but the green salsa was next level. At around $11, this feels like one of the best values on the menu and is an absolute must-order. Our third dish was the Birria de Borrego, and it was incredible. The lamb shank was so tender that the bone slid right out with almost no effort. It comes with beans, salsa, and house-made blue corn tortillas so you can build your own tacos. Speaking of the tortillas--they deserve their own praise. They were phenomenal, and we honestly joked about asking for an order to take home. Our final dish was the Camote Asado, which I'd seen recommended all over the internet. Maybe I built it up too much in my head because it ended up being the only dish that didn't blow me away. Don't get me wrong, it was still very good. The sweet potato was perfectly cooked, and the fennel whipped requesón was delicious. My only heads-up for future diners is that some bites pack a surprising amount of heat, so if you're sensitive to spice, keep that in mind. I enjoy spicy food, but it's worth mentioning for those who don't! The service was excellent as well. They take your entire order at the beginning of the meal and then thoughtfully pace each course, which made the whole dining experience feel relaxed and intentional. One thing that really surprised me was the value. For a Michelin-starred restaurant, this was incredibly affordable. We ordered four courses between the two of us, and even after tip, our total was only around $120 (we didn't order cocktails). That's an exceptional value for the quality of food and overall experience! Overall, Alma Fonda Fina completely lived up to the hype. Between the incredible execution, creative flavors, intimate atmosphere, and surprisingly reasonable pricing, this has quickly become one of my all-time favorite restaurants. It's easy to see why reservations are so hard to get, and I'll absolutely be back. Next time, I'm hoping to grab a seat at the chef's counter to watch the team in action while working my way through even more of the menu.

    2nd time and still my current #1 restaurant in denver. Food…read moreand service are both just fantastic. Took my parents this time for lunch. We shared 6 plates and we all loved it. The sweet potato still my favorite dish, but I hand to day the queso funfido from the happy hour menu was a close 2nd. If you go 2-5pm, I can't recommend this enough. You have to get it. Same as my 1st time going, I love this restaurant for their great dishes and flavor profiles. I absolutely feel like I'm paying for the food, and not any atmosphere or showsmenship, which for me is an important factor when recommending a restaurant. Only small detail, we got the ceviche as our 4th dish. Given that is sweet due to the coconut milk, I feel this should have been last as a kind-of desert-like dish. Either way, still an absolute gem and must in town

    Photos
    Mexican clay mugs
    Mexican clay mugs
    Birria De Borrego
    Birria De Borrego
    Bar seating where we could enjoy seeing the chefs working hard to make our dishes

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    Bar seating where we could enjoy seeing the chefs working hard to make our dishes
    Adelitas Cocina Y Cantina

    Adelitas Cocina Y Cantina

    4.2
    (1.1k reviews)
    6.0 mi
    $$

    A friend recommended this spot, and I'm so glad! We went on…read moretaco Tuesday and had no problem getting bar seating (or there were a few tables available) around 5pm but I noticed after 6pm people were waiting for seating. The food was delicious! We got $2 chips and salsa off the happy hour menu and the queso con soyrizo (not on HH menu) which was served with warm tortillas. Honestly we probably didn't need all that because the tacos were so good I could've just filled up on more of the tacos, but still was a great meal! I ordered the lengua, pastor, and taco special (breaded shrimp). They were all so good. Think taco quality of a good street taco spot but with the ambiance of a cute tex mex bar. The bartender was great and made a solid marg ($8 on happy hour). You get a great deal on taco Tuesday but I'm sure you'd get great service and quality any day of the week!

    Good meal but a lot of work and hassle!…read more Very limited parking. Left side of the building are a few parking spots shared by several businesses. Good luck getting a spot. Then you are driving the neighborhood hoping to find a spot. Finally parked and walked to the restaurant. Host told me it would be 30 minutes but the actual wait was 50 minutes. Spend so much time parking and then waiting, at what point do you give up and leave empty handed? Restaurant is VERY LOUD. Finally got a table and ordered OFF MENU. Server agreed to substitute shrimp for my enchiladas and they were good! Fresh corn tortillas were the highlight. Ordered tres leches cake and enjoyed it too. Was a nice meal but just not worth all the hassle.

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    Inside
    Inside
    Tres Leches Cake
    Tres Leches Cake
    Outside

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    Outside
    Tamayo by Chef Richard Sandoval

    Tamayo by Chef Richard Sandoval

    3.8
    (1.4k reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$$

    Visited Tamayo with some coworkers when I was in town the interior decoration was very warm and…read moreinviting for groups of people. I ordered the beef fajitas the sizzling plate presentation smelled great. The salsa that paired with the dish was not as spicy as I liked. The meat was cooked to a good medium rare. The churros were a bit hard and doughy compared to other ones I have as before. Our server was friendly and helpful in explaining the menu and the available daily special.

    Brunch has been done to death. I agree, and if I have to eat one more mass produced eggs Benedict I…read morewill lose my mind. But, low and behold there is this great brunch in Denver. It's full of mole enchiladas with egg, mahi ceviche and bottomless bloody Maria's... say less. Tamayo is has gone the test of time in Denver for a reason and they do not hold back and jump head first into the brunch pool. There is an al a cart option but I went full send and tasted almost the whole menu with my party. There are some things for the masses (taquitos) which I agree are good and hit the mark for people a little less food experiences, but there are risk that are worth the reward with the jack fruit tacos (pairs great with a margarita, also included with drinks). Jordan our server and Brien the manager were bringing the A game of service to the Sunday morning. Was I out of place in my pre-baseball game day jersey? Not at all. But I also would have fit in had I picked a sport coat instead. Pound for pound the best premium brunch I have had in a long long time. Grab a drink and get your brunch on!!!!

    Photos
    Tamayo by Chef Richard Sandoval
    Tamayo by Chef Richard Sandoval
    Tamayo by Chef Richard Sandoval

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    Perdida - Mexican Kitchen

    Perdida - Mexican Kitchen

    4.0
    (413 reviews)
    6.2 mi

    Four of us went to Perdida Kitchen for an early Father's Day dinner and we were very glad we did!…read moreIt is on the very busy strip near Washington Park which we don't often frequent because it is indeed very busy. But this was Monday evening and we were seated immediately. Our server said that we had 5 minutes left for Happy Hours--thank you!!--so ordered Caliente Margaritas and appetizers. The nachos were delicious--and messy! The Margaritas were as well. I had a nonalcoholic Athletic Brewing Company Cerveza Atletica (Mexican style copper). There were several other NA cocktails and beers available as well. We were all very pleased with our entrees. They were all luscious. Two of us are vegetarian and there were plenty of choices. I had Crispy Avocado Tacos, which came with black beans, and a side of Street Corn--both great choices. My friend had quesadillas and Potato Flautas , which I tasted and almost wish I had ordered as well. Our carnivore gentleman partners were also very happy, with one of them choosing a sampler, "Perdida's 'Best Of' Plate." Perdida is a great new addition to the Wash Park area.

    Stopped in for a quick drink before another event in the neighborhood. Cute decor abounds as you…read moreenter Perdida.We sat at the bar and were immediately greeted by the very nice bartender. We had arrived just in time for Happy Hour- Monday-Friday, 3-5pm . Perdida has a worthwhile Happy Hour as several main menu appetizers as well as cocktails are discounted. I selected the classic marg to sip on. It was a good, standard margarita for $6. We also had to try the mini chile rellenos. These were tasty and the dipping sauce paired well with the chilies and cheese. Perdida was good. I think I'll revisit to try some main dishes. The fajitas smelled amazing!

    Photos
    Perdida - Mexican Kitchen
    Perdida - Mexican Kitchen
    Special of the day: Steak tacos - excellent!

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    Special of the day: Steak tacos - excellent!

    El Jefe - mexican - Updated July 2026

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