File under: Be brave and be rewarded. One thing that we Northsiders are lucky to have is no shortage of good authentic Mexican food joints, especially along Washington in Thornton. A while back, we were cruising for a new place to try, and I suggested La Botana, as we'd driven by it many times, and it usually looked pretty bumpin'. So the first time we went, we parked, walked inside, and were immediately accosted by blaring Mexican hip hop from the juke. As we stood by the door, scanning the crowd of non-gringo faces, it felt like a scene out of a movie where everyone stops their conversation, and turns to glare at the strangers that dare enter their private sanctuary. I'm no stranger to down-and-dirty taco shacks, but I gotta tell you, I felt a bit intimidated. But as soon as we were seated, all that changed, and I realized that it was all in my head. While the clientele may look a bit tough, everyone was supremely cool, from the English-speaking servers that made sure we were comfortable and taken care of throughout our meal, to the hungover old guys hunched at the center bar, taking time from their micheladas to give me a "'Sup" nod as I walked to the restroom. And the food's good, too! The first time I went, I tried the Mexican shrimp cocktail. Not as plentiful with the shrimp as some other places I've tried, but the Clamato-based sauce was tasty, and there were plenty of jalapeno bits floating around, negating any need to add extra hot sauce. I also tried one of their pupusas, and while good, wasn't particularly memorable. The last time I went, I tried a torta de lomo enchilada (a sandwich with a breaded pork cutlet smothered in a slightly-spicy chili paste) and a side of beans, all solid. The menu is expansive and diverse, containing not only a wealth of seafood dishes, but also a number of items geared towards the less adventurous palate (boxed taco shell with ground beef? Check!) But as always, I encourage you to challenge yourself, both with food and preconceptions. You just never know when you'll be surprised... or surprise yourself. Cheers! read more

I can't even consider this a restaurant review I have been coming here for so many years it just feels like a visiting family. There is a high level of service and friendliness that I don't even get from my Mexican family. The menu here is extensive so you need to try a few things before you figure out what you like. The best way I can describe the food is that it's mom's cooking not the best but the most comforting. Of course my mom never made me margaritas but if she did I'd want them to be like this. They rival any bar I know. The prices are always reasonable and portions are generous. I keep coming back for more. read more

Love this place! I know there's a lot of similar restaurants to choose from in the area but this by far is the best! When we moved up to the neighborhood we tried a few spots around here, and when we came to Botana, we stopped trying because we didn't need to go anywhere else. Everything is good on the menu (I've had about everything), and their customer service is top notch! Micheladas are good priced too for the size! read more

La Botana is pretty good.. not the best.. it's OK. The combo mexican meals are decent, and they have a pretty good green chile plate, but you have to get the homestyle green chile w/ chunks of pork it's pretty good. The decor is typical mexican cantina style, and there is an abundance of Mariachi style music piping over their jukebox. So overall it's pretty good.. but not top notch.. read more

My wife and I stopped into La Botana on Monday evening. The first thing I want to say is that the place is clean. It was a slow night, and staff could have been standing around talking. Instead, they were cleaning, which is always a plus for me. The service was very good, but not intrusive. Our servers made sure that my coffee never ran out, and that we always had water. As far as the food goes, it wasnt so impressive. My wife received a bean burrito, instead of chicken, but didnt want to complain. I ordered soft rellenos, which turned out to be mostly egg, surrounding a small amount of chile and cheese. As has already been mentioned, the green chile was more like a gravy, fairly bland, with no real spice to it. For dessert, we got a sopapilla and flan. The sopapilla was very good. Served traditionally, plain, with honey. The flan had wonderful flavor, but the was a little tough. It was not a bad experience, just a little underwhelming. read more

I have missed good Mexican food living in Montana. Friends took me to eat here and it's like the food I had at home. Rich beans and rice, flavorful carnitas tacos! Muy RICO! I'll be back familia. read more

Worst Mexican I've ever had. Unathentic and cheap ingredients sloppily thrown together. There's so many better places that cost the same. Who ever made my meal either didn't know how to cook Mexican food or just doesn't give a s***. My tostada looked like a previously dropped taco salad from a fast food restaurant. The amount of coarsely chopped up ice berg lettuce I received was just comical. And lastly the salsas we're just terrible! The roja tasted like Italian pasta sauce and not the good kind. I've have no idea how they have such a high rating. I only ate it because I was incredibly hungry. read more

Came here for the first time. I had a burrito supreme. Pretty standard fare for Denver. The flavors were pretty good. The salsa was good. The burrito was none existence. It was a small tortilla floating in a pool of green chili. I seen some beans floating in there as well. I asked the waitress if that was normal. She said it was. I won't return because everyone has similar Mexican food but for full price meal i want some actual food. read more

La Botana - Do you see the knife in the background? The burrito is no thicker than the handle of the knife. It was completely flat. - Mexican Near Me - Thornton, Colorado

La Botana was a surprise! Any time I have driven by, the parking lot has cars. The beans are good. Shrimp tacos amazing! Chips and salsa tasty. I look forward to another visit. read more

We were at la Botana with some friends and order all seafood, the food was delicious and the prepared drinks as well. Great place to have a good meal. read more

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the food was authentic green chil was actually green , taco was good , look the prices aren't bad for what you get , probably pay mor for taco Taco Bell , the servers are not fake at all, that's what I like the most they fell like fam they really get into your vibes and feel like fam! I'm white but washed this Place is my new fav! I lost my pho e this day tho and can't pin point it great buzz I got ! read more

I give this restaurant a 5 star rating because even though our school group of 11 did not call ahead of time they still seated us and took our orders right away. Although their chicharrones were a bit hard. They treated us with respect and took their time with our orders. Prices seem fair and give 1 free refill for their coke products. On top of everything else they even allowed us to do separate checks when we left. read more

The Mexican la botany is really exceptional. Weekends fresh corn tortillas and the salsa is spicy with good flavor......teira my waitress greeted me as soon as I came in the door and smiled from ear to ear and was really happy....even though she was really busy. She has great customer service and valuable to the business. read more

We really enjoyed our food here. It was excellent. The prices were budget friendly and overall the food was good. I ordered chicken nuggets and fries & the fries were amazing. It was located right in front of my school where we were going to as a field trip. I Rate this place a 5 because it was a wonderful time to spend with my classmates and teacher. The service was great because they had time to fit us in there. And our food came out pretty fast. I will be coming back read more

it's a tiny place on that corner that i've been noticing. I had decided this would be the place to try the next time i needed a good plate of huevos rancheros. Today was the day for breakfast (desayuno as the menu says) Just a tad weird to be having breakfast next to a bar with tequilas lined up on shelves but whatever. There were two wall mounted TVs blaring telemundo. The food - good coffee. My entree was just okay because it was warm - as if it sat a while before being served. I think they had to wait on the diced potatoes to finish cooking because that was the only side that was actually good hot. I was hungry so I just ate it lukewarm - not terribly satisfying but what the heck the entry came with corn tortillas. The red sauce could have used some chile heat. Our drinks were refilled promptly and the rest of the services was good. I think i'll come back for dinner sometime and i hope my food is served at appropriate temperature then. read more

The food is always great with perfect portions. We're all hooked on La Botana at the office. We frequently do take out lunches from there. Totally recommend. The gang at Sky read more

Food is good though too spicy for some stomachs. The first three times we went and the service was great... But now they're charging $1.50 for a glob of sour cream and messed up her check with two sodas we didn't get it. It was not communicated it would be extra for the sour cream and they would not take it off so I guess we'll have to find a new restaurant. Every time I go they forget my sour cream and this time they didn't bring the rice and beans quickly before the meal Like I asked. We had to ask for water refill. I think the girl was new... read more

Honestly doesn't deserve any stars. Rude service completely unprofessional had us waiting at our table just staring waiting for someone to maybe ask if we wanted a box or a check or just to see how we were doing refills anything but nope they stood in a group continued to talk to each other and just look at our table. Food was beyond greasy and just slapped on the plate. never coming here again. read more

My husband and I were looking for a new Mexican place to eat. We moved from Texas in 2014 where it is Tex-Mex and still haven't found a real good place yet. Living in Thornton it's pretty scarce for anything but chain food restaurants but were out tonight and again I put into google Mexican places near me and La Botana popped up and we were within 4 miles so decided to give it a try. It was pretty early 4pm so it wasn't busy and the place was small but quaint. We really enjoyed the food and thought it was the closest to what we were used to. Hubby got the Enchilada plate and I got the Chili relleno plate and it was awesome lots of cheese in it where most places have barley any and often get so soggy before you even eat 1 it stayed crispy even with sauce on it. I will say there Salsa was good but pretty spicy. We will go again. I recommend a try. read more

Best chilaquiles in town, staff very friendly love driving out my way to come an have a great meal,very clean.

Delicious Food. Great service. Cleanest Mexican restaurant I've ever eaten at. First time we've been here. We'll be back!

Great spicy salsa and the green chile plate and pozole were fantastic. Recommend trying this place for sure! We will be back. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. read more

Ended up here after having no luck trying to find another Mexican restaurant in the area. The menu is huge with lots of options, all the classic dishes you will find elsewhere. Handful of tables inside, looked like they were adding on with outdoor seating as construction was happening while we were there. There are bars on all the windows inside so gives you a little idea of what the area may be like. The food was good, but nothing that would stand out from other Mexican restaurants. Portions were good size so you won't go hungry. They brought us chips and salsa with our drinks, like most Mexican restaurants do, with our group assuming these are complimentary. Found out once got our bill that you get charged for those. Saw another review saying they were charged $1, we were charged $3. $3 is nothing, but would still like to be made aware of something we are getting charged for if it is brought to our table without asking for it. Overall it was fine, but wouldn't recommend going out of your way to try it, read more

Wish I had pictures of what we eat here. There 2 best things I've eaten here are the siete marez and the caldo. Omg it's to die for! We've had other things that are really good too, but these two items are what we order 99% of the time even in hot summer weather. We live right by here and are about to move and we've already said we'll make the 30 minute trip just to come back and eat here. Service is really good too. The ladies that work here work so hard and we really respect them for it. read more

Really good authentic Mexican food. Staff is friendly and the food is reasonably priced.

Don't Go to La Botana We went my family and I They wanted to charge me for a kid's ugly cheese quesadilla $7.69 dollars ! Come on that is ridiculous . read more

I am always searching for great carne asada and it was the best I have ever had. The tamales and the green chile were fine, nothing special. But I would drive far for the Tacos al Carbon! read more

this is the first yelp review ive ever left a restaurant just because of how much i loved the authentic food and great service - tamales were so good read more

Here's the deal: my BF and I _love_ Mexican food, live in Thornton and wanted to try something new rather than cruise south to Las Delicias or to Layfayette for Efrain's (best green chile hands down, and well worth the drive to satisfy that particular craving). La Botana was our hole-in-the-wall choice and it didn't disappoint! As the only gringos in da joint, we felt like we'd happened upon something authentic. The service was attentive without any annoying "hovering" by the waitstaff. The washroom was clean, as was the dining room. I don't know that a wheelchair would easily navigate the many (half of the tables sat 8 peeps) large family-sized tables, but I bet they'd accommodate anyone needing extra space for passage. My only issue was the Hornitos margaritas we ordered, which didn't seem to contain a full shot o' liquor. Not a biggie because the food was mighty fine. I ordered taquitos al carbon (beef), a colourful plate when it was delivered. My BF ordered the green chile plate (ever searching for the recipe to beat Efain's), and while we'll _still_ be driving west for that particular dish, he was not disappointed. The green chile had huge chunks o' puerco and smelled delish. He wouldn't share and so I'm guessing it was worth hoarding. My taquitos were most tasty and left me FULL. I'm usually not a refritos person, but I almost finished them this time, despite being on overload from the taquitos. La Botana has an extensive seafood section on the menu and I saw many other tables order the shrimp cocktail, which might mean it don't suck. One thing I'm anxious to try on our next trip (and there will be one, we've both agreed) are the charros. And the Camarrones al a Diablo. And the tamales. Probably more, but those are the anticipatory delights we came away with. Two Hornitos margaritas and two entrees brought our check total to less than $29.00. Without alcohol (which we won't order next time), we would have dropped $20, hefty tip included. Definitely worth the try. Highly recommended. read more

La Botana was getting my boyfriend and I by for Mexican food because we're new to CO. We're used to the real deal Mexican food. Eh it's just OK. We discovered El Fogon on 84th. It makes La Botana taste like a sit down Taco Bell. Sorry, La Botana. You were good while we used you up trying to discover new places. We're breaking up with you. Lol read more

Awesome Freindly Authentic family owned joint. Pork Carnitas and Shrimp Tacos among my fav. This place deserves more yelps! Authentic as you will find in CO in my opinion. Salsa is spicy fyi! read more

Excellent Mexican food. Delicious meal and fresh. We had to do take out because of restaurants being closed but we will be back here. The Pollo asado was so flavorful. Staff was very friendly too. We will be back. Muchas Gracias! read more

It was ok. Don't ask for extra chips unless you want to pay for them. No food was that great but it was edible. The flan was horrible. Won't be going back here. read more

Food is good and drinks are good but one night we went in and they charged us double for all our alcoholic beverages when I asked about the bill the waitress was rude and said "oh do I need to explain it to you" and I said yes and when we got to the drinks she noticed she made an error she corrected our bill I have not been back they have bad service and rude waitresses. read more

This is a good restaurant close to my home. Dine in carry out makes it so convenient. The staff is nice and friendly for the most part. La Botana is really packed on Sundays so I'll do take out rather than dinning out. My faves are the crispy Chile rellenos, shrimp cocktail, Mexican hamburer, Carne asada, posole just to namr a few. Not fond of the chicken for the chicken tacos but other than that everything else hasn't disappointed. read more

Found this place driving around on Christmas. Great mexican food, I had the steak tacos al carbon and chips and salsa. Salsa was perfect level of spicy, even the chips had a tiny kick. read more

I'm Hispanic. N THAT tastes like real home made Mexican food :D keep it up guys.

Let me start, by saying that I am Hispanic and that I have had authentic Mexican food and La Botana Mexican restaurant Is far from it. I expected a lot more than what I got I ordered a shrimp cocktail, to make a long story short it ended up In my toilet after the first bite. Very unsatisfied, will not be returning. read more

NO,NO,NO,NO. Me and my son went here, we each got a combo meal. it tasted ok. Both of us woke up in the night with horrible upset stomachs and we were both sick all day. i am just trying to help...dont risk it. read more

Came in to get a breakfast burrito for myself and they wouldn't take my card because it was under $5 lucky I had a little cash. The clerk was on the phone the whole time she was helping me. The food was gross...way way to much garlic and mostly potatoes. Won't be going back! read more