2024 Restaurants

Explore This Years Competition

About Agave Underground

At Agave Underground Cocina & Tequila, Chef and Co-Owner Fausto Felix's goal is to create flavors & unique experiences in a functional and comfortable space. Their promise to offer only the best quality in all their dishes and provide exceptional service.

About Beltran's Grill

Located in Broomfield, Beltran’s Grill has taken traditional Mexican cuisine and made it luxurious. Coming from a family that specializes in the culinary arts, the Beltran menu is only the highest quality. With outstanding food and cocktails, this is the place to sit back and “eat, drink, and enjoy the restaurant.

About Big Stuff Food Truck

Brad Brutlag, Eddy Cumming and Mike O’Neill, two private chefs and a marketing wiz, make up this amazing team. Chef Brad himself has coined the phrase Colorado Comfort Food, and he means to show you how global cuisine with a Colorado Flair is some of the most mouth watering and unique items that you’ve ever tasted. Menu includes tacos, burritos, dumplings, stuffed sandwiches, bread bowls, and much more. Follow this incredible food truck around to multiple locations in Colorado including Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Greeley, Boulder and more.

About Blanco Cocina + Cantina

Blanco isn’t your typical Mexican restaurant in Denver. It’s a beach vacation-style hangout and party paradise. With the easygoing Dining Room, the banquet area, and the bar high top section, there are many peaceful but playful options to choose from. The Patio is their most decked out party spot, and it can accommodate a wide variety of party setups. Joyful and lively, the Blanco vibe exudes a lush vitality great for any shindig or soiree. Add the best tacos and tequila in the city to the mix and you’ve got one great party!

About Blue Moon Brewing Company

Originating in Denver in 1996, Blue Moon Brewing Company provided a refreshingly creative take on the classic Belgian Wit, and has since been the inspiration for them to continue to push creative boundaries. The brewery and restaurant in the RiNo neighborhood is a place where they continue to share their ongoing creativity and innovative brewing.

About Cabron Carbon

In our taqueria the best of two worlds come together to give you a unique experience, remembering the flavor of the tacos that you know and the art on our walls with characters you love.

About Casa Cortes Cocina

Welcome to Casa Cortés, a haven of Mexican culinary excellence nestled in the heart of Dacono, Colorado. We invite you to embark on a gastronomic journey that celebrates the rich tapestry of Mexican flavors, blending traditional recipes with a modern twist. Our restaurant is a testament to the passion we have for authentic Mexican cuisine and the desire to share it with our community.

About Chile con Quesadilla

This family business located in Brighton, has been bringing delicious takes on Mexican cuisine since opening in March of 2020. Their little pink truck allowed them to persevere through Covid and beat all odds, allowing them to recently open up their beautifully designed restaurant. With multiple awards, this restaurant is a must visit for fantastic food, drinks, and fun.

About Chuy's Fresh Tex Mex

Way back in 1982, Austin, Texas became the home of the place that does real Tex-Mex better than anyone. Yes, we are talking about us! Let’s take a trip down memory lane to see where we started and how we have stayed true to our original vision.

About Comal

Launched by Focus Points Family Resource Center in October 2016, this purposeful restaurant was formed in direct response to the community-identified need for economic opportunity in the face of gentrification. Their mission is to serve as a platform for economic development for aspiring immigrant and refugee women entrepreneurs to learn the skills to find a great job in the industry or launch their own business using their earn-while-you-learn model.

About Copper Table

Copper Table is the primary three-meal bar and restaurant at Gaylord Rockies Hotel. The restaurant is inspired by local cuisine and the gorgeous Colorado landscape. The elevated menu offers traditional meals highlighting locally-sourced ingredients for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

About El Coco Pirata

El Coco Pirata is a seafood restaurant with a unique style. They offer you the best quality, freshness and flavor in each of their dishes, in a comfortable and casual atmosphere that will make you feel you are on the beach.

About El Jefe's LLC

El Jefe's menu is inspired by the Mexican regions of Yucatán, Oaxaca, and Veracruz. They strive to respect the influences and traditions of these diverse cultures to bring you food that is uniquely El Jefe. They change their menu with the grow season, supporting our the terroir of Colorado. They hand make their tortillas every day. All of their pork comes from one whole hog. El Jefe's chefs breakdown the whole animal, for chorizo, appetizers, stocks, soups, and entrees- nothing is wasted to make sure the animal and for the people who raised them for us to enjoy. No frills, just good food.

About Former Saint

Steps from the Colorado Convention Center and the Denver Theater District is the Former Saint Craft Kitchen and Taps. Here, Former Saint chefs tempt with adventuresome, Colorado tastes and experiences, giving a nod to the bond shared by food and spirits. Copper piping from a glass enclosed keg room draws local craft beer on tap to the center, focal-point bar.

About Gringos Tacos Denver

Gringos Tacos Denver was founded in 2020 during the pandemic as a pop up location inside of BIker Jims, and launched their food truck in 2021. You can find them at Coors Field, Empower Field, Red Rocks and many other Denver event hot spots. In 2021, Gringos tacos were awarded the Golden Ladle Award for winning Project Paves Battle of the Chefs.

About Heavenly Tacos

Heavenly Tacos is a catering company established in November 2019 by Manny and Carlos who have a love serving great food!

About Kachina Cantina

Kachina is a free-spirited, modern cantina providing an escape in the LoDo district of Denver. Kachina’s inspiration is found in the Four Corners region of Southwest America and Baja Mexico. Go on an adventurous culinary roadtrip with offerings of twists on Mexican and Southwestern standards, like pozole, quesabirria, our selections of salsas, and the seven different types of tacos with your choice of corn tortillas, flour tortillas or fry bread.

About Kalaka Mexican Kitchen

A modern Mexican kitchen with a unique twist located in Denver and Evergreen. Kalaka provides a diverse, creative menu with a distinct attention to detail. Kalaka also offers an incredible beverage selection to bring out your inner-self. Their passion for food and drink translates to an exceptional experience.

About La Loteria

With humble beginnings as a family-owned food truck traveling around Denver, La Loteria has found a permanent home on South Broadway. La Loteria serves up fresh, authentic Mexican fare, blending Chef/Owner Edgar Silvestre’s specialties with his mom’s recipes that have been handed down through generations. Named after a popular Mexican card game that Edgar grew up regularly playing with his large, extended family, La Loteria pays homage to culture and cuisine steeped in tradition.

About La Machaca de mi ama

Visit La Machaca de mi Amá and relive all those moments of our beloved Sinaloa. Combinations as original as the name of their towns, broths, enchiladas and burritos that bring us back that seasoning that we love so much. “As delicious as at home”

About Los Chingones

Los Chingones is chef/owner Troy Guard's Mexican concept. While we don't claim to be "authentic", we do claim to be delicious. Come check out Denver's hottest taqueria, party on one of our spacious patios, and live life like a chingon.

About Los Dos Potrillos

Chef Jose Ramirez saved up enough money to open up the first Los Dos Potrillos location in Colorado in 2002. Having put all of the money he had into his restaurant, Jose would tell these first customers of Los Dos Potrillos that if they didn't like the food, he'd buy it for them. Now with four locations in Colorado, Los Dos Potrillos provides customers with "Real Mexican Food" while maintaining a family-friendly, "hole-in-the-wall" experience thanks to years of hard work by Jose Ramirez and his family.

About My Neighbor Felix

A long time ago, a man named Felix fell in love with Ixchel – the mayan goddess of the moon, love, & textile arts. Félix won the key to her heart after passionately making offerings of food & libations from recipes passed down through generations of his Mexican ancestors. Honoring Felix's spirit through their pan-Mexican cuisine inspired from all seven regions of Mexico, My Neighbor Felix hopes to inspire guests with a taste of what can be accomplished with passionate ambition and love for Mexican cuisine. Visit a location in LoHi, Boulder, Centennial, and soon to be Colorado Springs.

About NECIO Mexican Kitchen

NECIO Mexican Kitchen is a family-owned business, inspired by authentic Mexican cuisine from some of the best traditional places in South, Central, and Northern Mexico. Blending flavors to keep those traditions alive is what we are passionate about, and being able to serve our guests with quality dishes that bring the Mexican experience alive. Make yourself at home, unwind, and be prepared to be amazed at Mexican cuisine like never before!

About Nomad Taqueria & Beer Garden

Located inside Origin Hotel Red Rocks and just minutes from the iconic Red Rocks Amphiteathre, Nomad Taqueria + Beer Garden brings fresh Southwestern-inspired food and drinks to the Golden community. With expansive indoor and outdoor space, there is plenty of room for drinking and dining. Enjoy shareable plates of Southwestern fare and Golden's best margaritas in the rustic, light-filled dining room; or head outside for a cold draft beer or a hand-crafted cocktail on the patio, where 20 local brews and a few outdoor games keep afternoons and evenings lively.

About Pancho & Jane

Step into Pancho & Jane and immerse yourself in the Western spirit. A vibrant yet laid-back atmosphere caters to families seeking a delightful Saturday lunch spot and young professionals in search of an animated evening out. Welcoming staff greets you with a warm "Howdy" as they serve up an array of delectable dishes, including renowned tacos and more. Beyond being a restaurant, Pancho & Jane is dedicated to rejuvenating the S. Golden Road Corridor and enriching the liveliness of the neighborhood. Their overarching vision is to foster a thriving, pedestrian-friendly community where both residents and visitors can relish everything Golden, Colorado has to offer.

About Pirate Chef

Pirate Chef specializes in bespoke catering, private parties, in home, and corporate dining. Taking experience from lives well-lived, they bring their clients a gastronomic encounter unlike any other. Their business venture has been a longstanding dream, and they can’t wait to share it with you! From the success of their delicious breakfast burritos, chicken pot pies and shepherd’s pie, they realized they could launch something full time, opting for a ghost kitchen with three different menus plus catering. Opening Pirate Chef in August 2021, the Reeves quickly pivoted strictly into catering and have found their footing and market.

About Que Bueno Suerte

Que Bueno Suerte! is a creative, modern Mexican restaurant with artful surroundings that create a union between ancient Mayan and modern Mexican artwork and architecture. Inspired by the boldness of Mexico, the menu features innovative Latin cuisine prepared by our talented culinary team. A menu of modern eclectic small plates and entrees is punctuated by an extensive tequila and mezcal list, as well as a variety of seasonal cocktails. Located on Pearl Street in Denver, this is an experience you don’t want to miss out on.

About Que Desmadre

Que Desmadre is a Mexico City influenced food truck. Their Chefs spent weeks on creating a menu that is authentic to Mexico City flavors and techniques, while creating unique and crave-able items.

About Rio Grande

Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant has been serving Colorado its own brand of from-scratch TexMex fare since 1986. Founder and Owner, Pat McGaughran, grew up in Houston, Texas, a city known for its cultural diversity, including a strong Latino community, and TexMex cooking. Living in such a melting pot, McGaughran spent his youth eating plenty of fresh, Mexican food, both at his friends’ homes and out at Houston’s well-known TexMex restaurants.

About Rosa Cantina Longmont

Rosa Cantina serves up authentic Mexican favorites like tacos, enchiladas, ceviches, and drinks in Longmont, CO. Stop by today or order online. We can't wait to see you!

About Rumbo 52 cocina & cantina

Rumbo 52 creates flavors & unique experiences in a functional and comfortable space. The objective will always be for each of their guests to experience an explosion of flavors, Offered by Chef Co-Owner Fausto Felix.

About Street Side Eats

Carlos and his team have back to back wins at Top Taco, making their food truck truly one of Denver's best. Identifyable by its red exterior, the small yet powerful in flavor truck bring the punch when it comes to their tacos, nachos, and more!

About Tacos El Cacheton

El Cacheton comes to Denver with their Estilo Los Angeles for tacos, wet burritos, and asada fries. Hey are available for your next event's catering needs.

About Tacos El Comelon

A husband and wife cooking up delicious bar fare and bringing a piece of Yucatan to Colorado.

About Tacos el divino 1

This long time restaurant turned food truck is centered around family. When they began having small children, the owners decided to downsize to a manageable food truck that has kept its loyal customers for years. A staple on the corner of Federal Blvd and 80th Avenue, you will find the lot full of diners willing to wait in line for the City's best Al Pastor tacos.

About Taco Sabe

A Multi-cultural, fusion Taco Concept focused on the freshest ingredients possible, establishing close relationships with local growers and ranchers, and in-house, from scratch recipes.

About Tamayo

Carefully crafted, yet bold flavored. Rooted in tradition, yet adventuring into contemporary tastes. Chef Richard Sandoval blends the earthy flavors of his native Mexico with worldly ingredients and creative cooking techniques to create the modern Mexican cuisine at Tamayo. Located in Larimer Square in the Lodo neighborhood of downtown Denver, Tamayo serves dinner nightly along with weekday lunch, happy hour and weekend bottomless brunch.

About Toro Denver

Toro, meaning “bull” in Spanish and “tuna belly” in Japanese, specializes in Pan-Latin cuisine with South American, Japanese, and Chinese influences. One of the best new restaurants in Denver, Toro Latin Kitchen & Lounge brings Latin flair to a casual, yet sophisticated, Cherry Creek Denver setting.

About Uno Mas Taqueria

Uno Mas Taqueria y Cantina is one of those cool little hole-in-the-wall gems that once discovered, you don’t want to tell your friends about in case it gets too busy. Opening in 2013, bringing elevated street tacos to South Pearl, along with specialty tequilas and drinks, traditional tortas, appetizers, and classic Mexican desserts. Visit one of their locations in Fort Collins, South Pearl Denver, or 6th Avenue Denver.

About Wild Taco

Rico Aragon, Flor Aragon and Yoon Terry are the co-owners of Wild Taco. These three experienced industry veterans have capitalized on their love of Mexican food with a twist, maximizing on its popularity and potential for the future. They wanted to create the ultimate Mexican restaurant-bar-patio experience with friendly service, creative menu, exquisite libations and great atmosphere. Visit them in Downtown Denver to get the full experience.

About Wings and Burgers

For the most viral restaurant in Denver, head to Wings and Burgers to experience the lively atmosphere while you dine. Whether you are craving wings, burgers, your own personal al pastor taco stand, or colorful cocktails. make this your one stop shop for delicious food, drink, and fiesta vibes.

About Yo Mommas Cantina

Yo Mommas Cantina, a newcomer to Aurora's dining scene, offers a unique blend of Latin specialties. Inspired by Mexican, Latin American and American regional dishes, their menu features bold flavors alongside creative margaritas and classic cocktails.