La Choza

Went to Cozobi Fonda Fina and honestly... I'm still thinking about it…read more First of all, the space? Cute. Like "casually taking pics of my drink like I'm a food critic now" cute. The staff? Absolute angels. Kind, attentive, and somehow keeping up with our we'll just try one more thing energy. Now let's talk about the food... WOW. We basically ordered the menu like we were in a competitive sport, and not a single miss. Every dish came out like it had something to prove... and succeeded. Delicious doesn't even feel like a strong enough word. 10/10 would go back and pretend I have self-control next time.

I've eaten at Cozobi many times and it easily sits in the top three of my favorite restaurants in…read moreColorado, which is saying something because I've had the chance to dine at many spectacular places while living here. Yesterday was a beautiful day in Boulder. I spent most of it riding around on my motorcycle, but on my way down from the canyons I had a hankering for some truly authentic Mexican food. As soon as my stomach started growling I knew I had to stop in for a bite. Everything, as always, was perfectly seasoned, balanced, and cooked with love. I'm not exaggerating when I say this is some of the best food you'll ever eat. Chef Johnny Curiel has done an impeccable job curating a near perfect menu. From drinks to dessert and everything in between, there is nothing, and I mean nothing, on this menu that will leave you feeling unimpressed. I've spent practically my entire adulthood in the restaurant industry. I've dedicated even more of my time cooking for, drinking with, and serving the people I love. You can taste and feel that same passion here at Cozobi. As always, I leave impressed and wanting more. Places like this are the reason I keep coming back to Boulder's dining scene, and I'll happily continue recommending Cozobi to friends any chance I get.

Costra de NY strip - Steak taco with a layer of crispy cheese

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Nopalito's

4.7(159 reviews)

2.9 mi

I recently hired Nopalito's to cater an event. I would highly recommend this fabulous local…read morerestaurant for your catering needs. Milton was a breeze to work with. He took my order efficiently and explained how and when I would pay and how the set up would work. On the day of the event they were on time and we had everything we needed. Everything was disposable so I didn't have to worry about returning anything. The food was wonderful, with all of the guests commenting on the quality. The portions were generous and no detail was left undone. Thank you, Milton and crew, for a job very well done!

Wow! I'm really impressed again. The owners definitely took my previous review seriously. I brought…read moremy family in, and things were awesome just like they were in the past. Still great food, excellent service is back, and always a chill place to hang. Thanks!

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T/ACO an Urban Taqueria

4.0(718 reviews)

Super tasty tacos, margs, mocktails and outdoor options for dog lovers. This company goes deep for…read moretheir staff, families in need and helping surrounding towns during tough times. Yes, you should order a side of Grand Marnier with your coin or house marg and drizzle a little over the top. Now go and Win The Day!

We hosted our son and his roommates graduation party at T/aco, and it couldn't have been a better…read moreexperience. Everything--from the margaritas to the tacos--was absolutely delicious. Our server, Boden, was incredibly helpful and accommodating; she even assisted us with setting up our graduation decorations. As parents coming in from out of town, we really appreciated how easy everything was to coordinate. The staff was wonderful to work with, and they helped create a smooth, stress-free celebration. It was a truly special evening for the families, and T/aco made it even more memorable. Thank you!

Charcoal mural artwork

Dessert

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Dog Friendly

Centro Mexican Kitchen

3.8(830 reviews)

Locally owned & operated

Vegetarian friendly

Drew made us a kick ass spicy margarita! Super nice guy and serious about his job! Beautiful…read morerestaurant, nice vibes!

Always a treat for a tasty lunch. Order if churros as a "birthday cake" substitute ! And tasty as…read morecan be. Servers were friendly as always and healthy can be tasty, like the mushroom tostada.

Large Group Friendly

Crispy Baja Fish Taco Board

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Bloody Mary

Bartaco Boulder

4.1(681 reviews)

richard was a very kind and considerate server! he balanced well by taking care of us when we…read moreneeded it but not doing so excessively! also always made sure we had water which i appreciated.

Came by for dinner on a Thursday night and it was pretty crowded. That being said, the host was so…read moregreat and was able to get us a table after a short wait! We used their online qr code ordering system which was extremely easy and made ordering as a group (and paying separately) extremely convenient. I ordered a small guacamole and chips and a margarita to start. The guac was flavorful and had the perfect amount of kick to it without being overwhelming and the margarita was very balanced and not overly sweet which I definitely prefer! For my tacos I ordered the carne asada, carnitas, and pork belly. They were all delicious but the pork belly was definitely a standout with a wonderfully glazed pork belly that was tender but crispy at the same time and the addition of some pickled red onions for an extra flavor and textural element. If ordering tacos, they recommend anywhere from 3-5 on average as they are on the smaller side around 3-4 bites each. Overall, this was a great experience and I would definitely come back for more of those pork belly tacos!

Bar Seating

Corn

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FRESH SQUEEZED DRINKS

Tierra y Fuego Taqueria

4.6(79 reviews)

0.1 mi

The breakfast burrito was really delicious. They put hash rounds similar to cfa in the burrito as…read morewell as crispy bacon and non greasy chorizo. Also, they give you a choice of mild, medium, or spicy authentic salsa to accompany it. The spicy salsa was wonderful! Maybe a 5/10 heat level but paired beautifully with the crispiness in the burrito. Quick service too for carry out

Sadly can't recommend this place. The night I went the whole restaurant was being ran by teen boys,…read morewhich is fine. They were working really hard and trying their best, but there was no adult to assist them in the front and it was a super busy night. They were very young and there were issues that were arising that needed adult guidance. I can't even comment if the food was good or not because I left before I got it. The first time my tacos came out it was only half of the order and there was a large, super moldy lime on my taco. I told the young boy and he was very polite about it took it back to the kitchen, but then a few seconds later just brought the same tacos out. I told him I didn't want the same food and wanted it fresh, that might be dramatic for most but for me with an immune disorder i can't risk it. I waited for a while, but I was turned off enough by the whole situation that I didn't wanna eat there anymore so I just left no refund or anything. Sad, I wanted to like this place.

Aftermath of chilaquiles

Chips, rice & beans and huarache & taco.

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Brisket Huarache

Santo

4.0(300 reviews)

2.0 mi

•$$$

Honestly, we lucked out with lunch here. We got in just in time -- after us, they stopped seating…read morefor lunch and only the bar was open. This was an impromptu choice while we were in Boulder, and it truly lived up to its reputation as a Michelin Guide restaurant. Food & Taste We tried the lamb tacos and chicken enchiladas (with both red and green sauces). The lamb tacos were delicious, though slightly on the oily side -- something we did share as feedback. The chicken enchiladas were the highlight. The flavors took me back to Santa Fe -- well-balanced, rich, and comforting. The chicken was cooked well and, importantly for me, had no off smell, which I'm usually quite particular about. Vegetarian / Vegan Options They do have vegetarian and vegan options like sweet potato enchiladas and veggie torta quesadillas, which is great to see. Service The staff is helpful and patient, happy to answer questions and guide you through the menu. Ambience The space has a boho vibe, and the clean restrooms are a plus. Overall A great find in Boulder -- flavorful food, thoughtful service, and definitely worth trying if you can get a spot

Wanted a new experience, so we checked out the menu for this new restaurant and it looked tasty…read moreenough to give it a shot on a Sunday afternoon. We walked in and at first it seemed like it had a decent vibe. I had actually been to this location before when it was a different restaurant. Seems like this spot changes ownership pretty frequently, which in hindsight probably says something. Right away we noticed a bunch of tables, especially the booths, still hadn't been bussed. We were told to "sit anywhere," but the only clean tables available were high tops and we wanted a booth, so we waited for the busser, who moved at a pace that honestly felt unbelievable. He seemed to be clearing tables one cup and one plate at a time, walking each item individually back to the kitchen. It was painfully inefficient. It was obvious both he and the girl at the bar saw us standing there waiting for a booth to be cleared, but nobody seemed concerned about it. Eventually the table was finally cleared, but then it sat there dirty for a long time without being wiped down. At that point we just sat anyway, assuming someone would quickly come over and clean it once they saw guests sitting there. In most restaurants, that's standard. Not here. After waiting even longer, I finally asked for a rag so I could wipe the table down myself. The response I got back was rude: "Why don't you just sit at one of the tables that's already clear?" That pretty much sealed it for us. The vibe was off from the second we walked in, and you could feel the lack of care throughout the whole place. At that point we didn't even want to order food because it already felt like the experience was headed downhill. We got up and left. Honestly, I'm glad we did. Service and atmosphere usually reflect what's happening behind the scenes, and I had zero confidence the food experience would've been any different. After leaving, we went to El Centro instead and had a much better experience. I'd recommend choosing that over this place any day of the week. Giving people a good dining experience really isn't that complicated. Sometimes it honestly feels like restaurant staff have never gone out to eat themselves and experienced what good hospitality actually feels like. Unfortunately this place completely missed the mark. We won't be back, and I wouldn't recommend it.

Ambience

Sopapillas

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Our lunch drinks

Mojo Taqueria Boulder

4.3(98 reviews)

1.8 mi

Friendly, fast, efficient service at the bar for enjoying a variety of tasty happy hour snacks and…read moredrinks that keep me busy from 3:30-6:00. Officially happy hour is from 4:30-6:00 but they graciously began being happy an hour earlier for me. Well deserved #1 rated for HH in Boulder. They have MUSIC!

By far the best taqueria in Boulder, the restaurant is very clean and our waitress Vivian was…read moregreat. She was very polite and helpful recommending the most popular items on the menu. I order 3 tacos , carnitas , short rib in adobo sauce and Fish. All very good and well served

Bar

3 taco plate

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2 taco plate

Efrain's of Boulder Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

3.9(516 reviews)

2.9 mi

I had been to the Lafayette location more than a decade ago and never returned. It simply did not…read moresuit me at all. I recently saw that a different family group operated this one in a very convenient part of Boulder so I decided to give it a try. A favorite classic family run restaurant with a similar menu had closed in 2014 after being in operation for 20 years. We missed that sort of menu. This is it, all the way to type of sopapillas and the classic plates with rice and beans , sauce and melted cheese. The family appeal carries through from hosts to servers to clearing staff. The menu is large though it appears that most only vary by central item. The entrees all come with the same sides and a sauce. Next time I will ask for light sauce as it pretty much buried my tamales. They need to stand out and shine and I love the taste of masa. The server was right on the spot with our drinks and we had a comfortable and clean booth. Chips and salsa were at the table as we were seated. They are plainer than some in town but still fresh and classic and free, just like Casa Alvarez, our old classic. The place was buzzing with customers young and old a perfect place for a comfortable and swiftly served meal. The space filled up quickly and though they have an enclosed patio and an open patio, not a soul for takers including us, on a 30° degree evening with a "breeze" so there was a line for tables as we left. We'll be back in a warmer weather and customize our plates a bit. It's friendly and filling and for anyone. And easy on the wallet too. Nice to have a family friendly spot like this in an easy to park shopping center with McGuckins in the lead.

Since changing locations, the portion sizes are significantly smaller, with incredible price…read moreincreases. The economy is not at total fault for the portion sizes and increased costs. And the quality has decreased substantially, comparing this to the former location. Overall, so disappointing!!!!! Service has certainly gone downhill, as there seems to be entitlement involved. The servers attitudes have also gone the wrong way. The ambiance has certainly gone away!!!!

Bar at Efrain's

Street Street Style Tacos (3)

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Enclosed patio was pleasant.

Wapos

4.1(142 reviews)

0.6 mi

Jean today was the best! First time at this North Boulder restaurant and it was tasty! Location is…read moreright off Broadway in a cool Boho art district thing. Other shops around too and they have a nice big patio, and a cool bar window table thing! Interior is best described as beach house which is a cool vibe on a sunny day. Lots of beer and drink options and happy hour, I just got a Tecate after my hike but I'll try a Marg next! They have a lot of options food wise but I went conservative with a chicken smothered burrito and enjoyed it! I'd recommend getting the sour cream and guac, and I got some rice on the side too. Free chips & salsa which is awesome! Everything tasted homemade and filling, and the sauces were flavorful with a zing but not overly spicy. Jean was very nice and service was great, very fast and attentive. Can't wait to go again and try something new!

What an awesome spot. Authentic food, kind staff and great service. The patio has heat lamps and is…read moredog friendly which is awesome. It's so cute. Tucked away right by the mountains. Overall the food was great. The chili verde burrito was the perfect amount of spice and the carnitas were awesome. Fajitas were great, incredible flavor and the shrimp was delicious. The only thing that wasn't great was the queso. It was practically flavorless so we mixed it with salsa which helped a ton. Overall great experience and we will definitely be back.