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Top Mexican Restaurants In Denver

Los Carboncitos(credit: Los Carboncitos)
There are a lot of Mexican food restaurants in the Denver area, and it's hard to know which is the best. There are also lots of different types of Mexican food, from Tex-Mex to traditional Mexican to Colorado's own Mexican-style food, largely based on superb green chile. If you want authentic, though, there are a handful of spots in town that serve up the good stuff, true Mexican recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation. Opt for one of these authentic spots and you'll be sure to have an amazing meal. Plus, most of these restaurants happen to be very affordable, so you can easily put them on your weekly rotation of favorite restaurants.
D'Corazon
1530 Blake St.
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 904-8226
www.dcorazonrestaurant.com

If you're seeking authentic Mexican comfort food in the heart of the Lower Downtown area, you can't go wrong with D'Corazon. This locally-owned restaurant tends to gather a long line, so you might end up waiting as much as an hour to get a seat in the small, crowded dining area. However, once you are seated, your patience will be rewarded with a steaming plate packed full of all your favorite Mexican dishes. The carnitas are flavorful and moist, the enchiladas are perfectly prepared, the traditional mole has so many carefully layered flavors that you'll want to dive into the bowl and just eat your way out. The menu is large here, and it features every traditional Mexican dish you can think of, including the occasional Tres Leches Cake, which is always a treat when you can get it.

Las Margs
1521 Marion St.
Denver, CO 80218
(720) 366-4160
www.lasmargsdenver.com

If you were a fan of Las Margaritas on Downing Street, then you'll want to visit Las Margs, which is run by the same owners. A lot of your favorite Las Margaritas dishes have made the trip over to Las Margs, but street tacos are the focus here with lots of affordable and amazingly flavorful dishes to enjoy. The street tacos are inexpensive, most less than $4 so you can order several. Try the traditional pork carnitas or the steak asada. For those who like fish tacos, the pescado is another fantastic choice. All tacos come carefully prepared with extras like chipotle sauce, crema, guacamole sauce and all the veggies you would want. You can also get some other tasty dishes here, like traditional roasted poblano peppers filled with shredded chicken, tomatillo salsa, crema and queso.

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Los Carboncitos
3757 Pecos St.
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 458-0880
loscarboncitosdenver.com/

Anyone on the northside of Denver knows about this authentic Mexican eatery. The food at Los Carboncitos is as authentic as it gets. The menu proudly boasts "Real Mexican food – from Mexico City" and the open kitchen allows you to see right in as each dish is carefully prepared. As soon as you walk in, you'll be treated to a fresh basket of chips with five different salsas, then your eyes will pop out of your head as you try to wrap your mind around the impressive menu. The low prices are a bonus as you select from items like chile relleno, burritos, enchiladas, tacos and traditional mole. Really, everything here is authentic Mexican street food, and you can't get it any more authentic without booking a flight. Look for the bright yellow building on 38th and Pecos, and then stop in for a truly delicious dining experience.

La Casa Del Rey
7035 E. 72nd Ave.
Commerce City, CO 80022
(303) 287-7480
www.lacasadelrey.net

If Los Carboncitos is authentic Mexican street food, then La Casa Del Rey is like eating at your favorite Mexican grandmother's home. This Commerce City restaurant is a neighborhood favorite, and has been since 1986. The large restaurant gathers quite the line, but it moves quickly and you'll be seated before you know it. One of the reasons for the long lines? The chile. La Casa Del Rey is known for some of the best green chile in Colorado, served up mild, medium, hot or extra hot. In addition to the amazingly powerful and truly flavorful chile, you can also get pretty much every other classic Mexican dish you can think of, including amazing breakfast burritos served all day. Whether you stop by for breakfast, lunch, dinner or second dinner, you'll find La Casa Del Rey is worth the drive to Commerce City from Denver.

The Original Chubby's
1231 W. 38th Ave.
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 455-9311

This is as no-frills as you can get. There is no website for The Original Chubby's, no fancy signage, no tables and barely a place to sit down. You stop in, order your food and take it home, but prepare to be amazed. The Original Chubby's is Colorado/Mexican food, and is another spot in town that is truly famous for green chile. It's made fresh daily, and you can tell the mood of the grandmother's in the kitchen by how spicy that day's chile is. Order chili rellenos, carne asada fries, tacos, burritos and more, just make sure to get it smothered in chile. Make sure to arrive with a little extra time, especially around lunchtime. The line will move fast, though, so don't worry.

Related: Top French Restaurants In Denver

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
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