There was a time when authentic, high quality Mexican food was hard to come by in Colorado Springs. That time has passed. As the Springs keeps growing, it continues to grow more diverse. The number of people identifying as Hispanic or Latino increased by 38% from 2010 to 2020, marking the largest gain by any people group and bringing the local Hispanic community to about 85,000 people, or 18% of the Colorado Springs population. And that’s good news for eaters who like authentic Latin and Latin-inspired cuisine. We don’t have the hard data, but we’re willing to correlate an increase in good, authentic Mexican food in recent years. And we can definitely tell you from experience that it is now hard to narrow down the best Mexican restaurants in Colorado Springs.
Nevertheless, we gathered our food writers and gave it a shot. The result is our list of 20 of the best Mexican restaurants in Colorado Springs. These are our favorites where we think you can’t go wrong — but we want to know what you think too. Vote for your best in the poll, and if we missed your favorite, write it in. We had plenty of restaurants that didn’t quite make the list. And with research this delicious, we’re happy to explore more and reconsider.
That said, here’s our list organized geographically. Salud!
Downtown
Central
North Side
East Side / Southeast
Westside
Mobile
20 Best Mexican Restaurants in Colorado Springs
DOWNTOWN
Azada Mexican Grill
I never get tired of watching the dough rise and bubble as they make the tortilla right in front of you at Azada. It’s the perfect beginning to a, dare I say it, perfect breakfast burrito — the best in town in our opinion. The build-your-own burritos are a standout the rest of the day too, and you can usually score a burrito special on Mondays for under $10. This unassuming family-owned spot has been crafting authentic recipes since 2013. If you haven’t discovered it yet, go now, especially if you’re a Chipotle or Qdoba regular. —Jeremy Jones
16 E. Bijou St.
@azadamexicangrillCS
Dos Santos
Dos Santos encompasses Mexican fusion with an urban flare that is accentuated by bright, modern vibes and an impressive bar program cranking out some of the strongest, fruit-forward margaritas in town. Get in on their fresh seafood starters with the poke nachos and ceviche to share before cashing in on their signature Taco of the Month for an on-point seasonal take. If you’re a fan of rap, be sure to check out Wu-Tang Wednesdays to enjoy the old school hip-hop soundtrack rockin’ all day long. —D.P.
70 E. Moreno Ave.
dossantostacos.com
Salsa Latina
Those pining for the great family recipes of the now defunct El Taco Rey, you’re in luck. Salsa Latina, an Aguilar family spinoff, keeps that flame alive and spicy. Here you’ll not only find great menudo and Mexican gumbo, you’ll also find their version of the Avocado Pork Burrito that El Taco Rey made famous. Get one, slathered in the pork-heavy green chile sauce, with rice and beans, and you’ve got the best downtown meal you can find for under $10. This also is the place to go for your New Year tamale orders. —W.E.
28 E. Rio Grand St.
salsalatina.net
Zocalo
Open less than a year, Zocalo has been an instant hit on the downtown scene. Its swinging chairs, indoor VW taco bus and woven Tulum-inspired decor give it beachy, hipster vibes. Its wide-ranging menu of family recipes and craft cocktails deliver authentic flavors at reasonable prices. We’re big fans of their steak chimichurri, mushroom and panela cheese tacos, poke nachos and chile rellenos. You can read more about it in our Zocalo: New Restaurant Is Already a Mexican Favorite and see why it’s worthy of our 30 Best Restaurants in Colorado Springs. —J.J.
418 S. Tejon St.
zocalocolorado.com
CENTRAL
El Chapin
This resident food truck outside of Ranch Foods Direct holds space for the most authentic Mexican street food you’ll find anywhere in the Springs. The humble yet delicious basket presentation yields high-quality, local proteins sourced from Callicrate Meat, which is also available to purchase inside the neighboring boutique grocery store. We highly recommend venturing out of your comfort zone to try the lengua tacos for a tasty, textural trio, and pair it with an agua fresca while dining under their covered patio. —D.P.
1228 E. Fillmore St.
elchapinfoodtruck.com
Monica’s Taco Shop
From the outside Monica’s doesn’t look like much. Same goes for the inside. This is a place without frills, where folks come for the food, where the tacos speak for themselves, where they turn around a breakfast burrito in a flash when you don’t have the time to stop but do anyway. Voted best tacos six years ago by Springs Magazine, the tacos remain the same. —S.H.
5829 Palmer Park Blvd.
monicastacoshop.com
NORTH SIDE
Jarrito Loco
This casual restaurant in Monument exudes familial vibes with homegrown recipes that co-owners Angel and Angie Jimenez inherited from their Grandmother Maria. Tune in for their weekly Tuesday specials. Enjoy breakfast served all day. And explore a variety of vegetarian and gluten free menu items. Try the Carne Tampiqueña to get a taste of their signature mole enchilada with a half order of carne asada and all the typical fixin’s. —D.P.
315 W. Highway 105, Monument
jarloco.com
Milagro’s Cocina Mexicana
The vibrant art, decor and elevated ambiance encourages you to experience Mexican culture at its finest with a menu that speaks volumes about the diversity of regional cuisine. Explore Milagro’s extensive library of tequilas and mezcal by sipping on one of their specialty cocktails (the spicy pineapple margarita is a crowd pleaser) with a selection of pickled apertivos or bacon wrapped prawns. For your entree, we highly recommend the Cochinita Pibil that showcases an impressive braised pork shank wrapped beautifully in banana leaves and served with habanero jam and frijoles charros. —Dionne Passacantando
7455 N. Academy Blvd.
milagroscocinamx.com
PigLatin Cocina
PigLatin never disappoints with its Latin fusion drawing from Mexican, Colombian and other South American influences. The flavors and vibe are always colorful with just enough attitude. What else would you expect? Chef Andres Velez, Aaron Ewton and their Atlas Group team are also behind COATI Uprise and Colorful Colorado at the Garden. They’re into disruption, one craft cocktail, street taco and arepa at a time. —J.J.
2825 Dublin Blvd.
piglatincocina.com
Salsa Brava Fresh Mexican Grill
I blame Randy Price, CEO of the Rocky Mountain Restaurant Group, personally for the failure of my diets. Even his restaurants that didn’t make it were phenomenal — Slayton’s Barbecue was the best BBQ this town has ever seen and Mayfield Wine Bar was ahead of its time. I especially miss Sonterra Grill, which was eaten up by his tremendously successful Urban Egg next door. But Salsa Brava, the original, also stands as one of his best: a consistent yet ambitious blend of Mexican, Tex Mex and Southwestern cuisines. Now located at Powers and Dublin, the restaurant bustles with families and large groups and holds its own as an independent among the many chains in the area. Our favorite entrees: the slow-roasted carnitas and sour cream and chicken enchiladas. —W.E.
5925 S. Dublin Blvd.
EAST SIDE / SOUTHEAST
Arceo’s
Arceo’s serves family Mexican fare with large portions at an unbeatable price. It is hands down the best value in town for great classic Mexican fare. Most dishes are right around the $15 price range, including the fajitas which come with all the extras. The food is delicious. The service is fast, and the portions are huge. One example: The Super Molcagete. The hearty Mexican stew has a delicious combo of chicken, shrimp, fish and beef. —Frank Frey
1605 S. Nevada Ave.
arceosrestaurant.com
Maria’s Taco Shop
The ambiance is basic taqueria. But stand at the entry for a few minutes and you’ll hear the orders coming in, one after another for the fish tacos (two for $8). They’re pretty darn close to what we recently had on the beach in Puerto Vallarta. Fried, moist and delicate morsels of fish smothered in pickled cabbage and topped with a perfect tartar. All the food at Maria’s stands out even in the center of the authentic eastside Mexican Food Truck Central. Oh, and it’s among the best place to find micheladas, a clamato and beer concoction known for being a super hangover cure. —W.E.
2812 E. Pikes Peak Ave.
mariastacoshop.com
Sofia’s Antojitos
Sofia’s has brought a fresh, fun element to the Springs’ dining scene with a unique, somewhat eclectic variety of Mexican street food and snacks. Don’t worry; you can get a full meal. There’s a wide range of tortas, but don’t miss the specialty quesabirria tacos — pure Mexican comfort food. But Sofia’s will keep you coming back to try those creative snacks, such as decadent corn of the cob options — Elote Preparado and Esquites — and Vaso Chorreado, a crunchy Ramen meets nachos dish. Don’t pass up the fresh juices and frozen paletas, creamy Mexican popsicles. Find the brightly muraled original restaurant at Galley and Academy, but watch for a second shop opening at 4037 Tutt Blvd. —J.J.
1035 N. Academy Blvd.
@sofiasantojitos
Tacos El Amigo
Well known among Colorado College students and enlightened locals as the place to go, anytime, for any reason. Tacos El Amigo is home to the best birria tacos in the Springs and the place to go for menudo on those days when you need it. My personal favorite is the Hamburguesa Estilio Juares, which is a hamburger topped with a hotdog, ham, guac, lettuce, tomato, onion and cheese. Not to be missed — or taken lightly. —S.H.
2416 E. Boulder St.
tacoselamigoco.com
Tlaquepaque
Like most really great Mexican restaurants, Tlaquepaque is located in an unassuming strip mall on the Eastside of town. Here you’ll find traditional, authentic Mexican food that is consistently great. Tlaquepaque is best known for their birria tacos, which are filled with a stewed beef that is so tender and flavorful it melts in your mouth. The rich broth served on the side is equally flavorful, and it makes a perfect bite when paired with the birria tacos. The chilaquiles are also spot on — but so is everything on the menu. —F.F.
911 N. Murray Blvd.
ordertlaquepaque.com
WESTSIDE
Alfonso’s Mexican Food
It’s 2:00 in the morning and the rest of the Springs is a graveyard and you’re starving. This is when Alfonso’s is your beacon in the night. Reliably outstanding, somehow always open, they are a longstanding Springs institution where those in the know go when the going gets late. For true celebrations, order the Don Poncho. It’s a foot long burrito that has everything ‚— including, somehow, fries —in it. It’s not for the faint of heart, or those on cholesterol medication. —Steven Hayward
1022 S. 21st St.
alfonsosmexicanfoodcs.com
Crystal Park Cantina
The Cantina has been a popular mainstay in Manitou since 2011, known for great margaritas and beautiful views. Their dedication to using the freshest ingredients shows in their food and their drinks. The pomegranate margarita is a great balance of sweet and tart, and it pairs well with their smoky rich mole. This is the perfect spot to visit after a hike up the Incline. —F.F.
178 Crystal Park Rd.
@crystalparkcantina
La Unica
A riot of bright pinks, yellows, blue furnishings, lots of colored lights and parrots greet you as you enter La Unica on the Springs’ Westside. This nice, authentic sit-down restaurant started as a little taqueria on Platte Avenue, back in the days when some of us thought a crunch wrap was Mexican food. The chunky, spicy salsa here is among the best in town, as is the zesty guac. But the real standouts are the complex, savory sauces, especially the mole on the roast pork and the ranchero sauce on the Sonora Style Chicken. Enjoy with a margarita on the patio. Ole! —Warren Epstein
3317 W. Colorado Ave.
No website. Unofficial Facebook page.
Rudy’s Little Hideaway
Towering over 8th Street with sweeping mountain views, Rudy’s is a popular Westside breakfast spot It’s one of those family-run operations where everyone is glad to see you no matter how busy it gets. Get there early though. Order the Huevos Rancheros with a side of bacon, or get the Chorizo Stack. I’m not going to mention the margaritas except to say you can get one any time of the day and they’re amazing. —S.H.
945 S. 8th St.
rudyslittlehideaway.com
MOBILE
Tepex
Tepex is arguably one of the most popular food trucks in Colorado Springs. Chef Fernando Trancoso has carved out his place as an authority on Mexican food with an undeniable influence from his former foodie hometown of Santa Fe. Loyal patrons follow him routinely on his craft brewery rotation to pair local beers with his upscale, yet accessible plates. Don’t miss the beloved Quesabirrias with four tacos and a side of consomme that you’ll be just as excited to drink as your accompanying brewski. —D.P.
Locations vary. Look him up soon as his truck is for sale.
tepexbyfernando.com
Vote for Your Favorite Mexican Restaurant in Colorado Springs
Don’t see your favorite? Disagree with our picks? Write in your best Mexican go-to. So far, we’re seeing write-in votes for Arlene’s Beans, Chile Colorado, El Padrino Mexicano, Jorge’s, Mamitas Mexican Restaurant, Mi Mexico, Miguel’s Mexican Bar & Grill, Senior Manuel’s, Vaquero’s Mexican Restaurant and Taqueria, Zapata Mexican Taco Shop and more.
Read More
On the Taco Trail: Top Tacos in Colorado Springs
Our Top 10 Best Margaritas in the Springs
15 of the Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Colorado Springs
