Don't eat here very often even though it's in my home town. I guess it's not terrible but to me…read moreit's bland. There are better options in Lamar and Rocky Ford in the form of Mission Villenueva and Mission Deli respectively

We SoCal folks are spoiled when it comes to Mexican food... which is not to say that there isn't…read moregreat Mexican food out there across the country-- it's just that the farther we have traveled from our home, the more likely it has been we've found some questionable Mexican restaurants. That was definitely NOT the case with Carmen's... about a block west of the main drag through town, we spotted the restaurant when we stopped to use the restroom at a local fast food joint. Everyone was hungry, the road was feeling longer than we'd planned, and the possibility of a cold drink and a hot plate saw us walking over to this little restaurant. Inside, we were seated and quickly enjoying chips and salsa. The kids ordered their usual bean burritos, Mrs. Picante ordered enchiladas, and I ordered the carnitas. Everything was very good, served with rice and beans... really tasty and fresh beans-- if these weren't made from scratch with a big scoop of Manteca, then they fooled me. Goodness knows when the road will take us back through Las Animas, but if we do find ourselves there again, we're heading here again for sure.

Food was good but a little overpriced. Location was easy to find. Wait staff were good and were…read morefriendly. Loved the decorations.

That bar was 85 degrees Very uncomfortable…read more When I as the old bartender she was very rude and nasty. I would never ever go back there. What a rude bartender. I have been there 4 times and of the four times was a bad experience

It seems that La Lupitas is no longer open, and that "Los Juniors" took their place. So I'm using…read morethis as a review for "Los Juniors". I prefer to use this app for positive reviews, but this is deserved. They charge for glasses of waters, and offer chips and salsa as if it's free, but it's not. I will say that the food that came out was decent and fresh. We were sad that we didn't get to experience La Lupita's. Los Juniors pricing is misleading, and while the kitchen knows what they are doing, front of house & management need to step up.

Stopped here on our way back from Amache in Granada on a hot day…read more They sat us in the coolest corner (temp wise) and served us bottomless horchata and homemade chips and salsa. The three of us had tacos, enchiladas, and tamales. All plates were wiped clean. Highly recommend Lupitas if you're passing through. To the guy who claims to be from Hatch and spells chile, "chilli" ... you were in eastern Colorado. Be thankful everything wasn't smothered in cumin Denver/Boulder style.

Hidden right off the main roads, this little taqueria has great food! Simple decor - like all the…read morebest taco shops, with an extensive menu of mexican staples. We loved it!

The tacos were good. If you are in La Junta and need some good Mexican food. Lucy's Tacos is the…read morespot. The service was good and tacos were yummy. If I am ever in La Junta again I will stop in. Ambiance was good down home small town restaurant complete with locals talking about the town gossip. Loved it.

Very good food. The staff is amazing and very friendly. If you are ever in La Junta you should eat…read morehere. Very clean and nice.

There are lots of Mexican restaurants in this area , but this one is one of my favorites!! I live…read morethere chorizo taco, vermicelli and smothered rellenos!! The staff is very friendly!!

Amazing Valentines dinner Steak and shrimp with parmesean sauce. Asperagus wrapped in bacon…read more Mmmm. Then the best homemade apple pie with ice cream. Staff and food were such a wonderful surprise while working out of town

Friendly cheerful waitstaff. Crisp fresh tasting perfectly cooked veggie omelet, fluffy pancakes…read moreand cubed hash brown potatoes. A delectable slice of Dutch Apple pie topped off our meal. Clean and welcoming environment, it appears as if some of the local social organizations meet here. They close early 2pm.

Good luck trying to find an open restaurant at mid-morning on a Sunday in La Junta, Colorado,…read moreespecially a Mexican restaurant. As I was passing through town, I "googled" for restaurants, and passed several that were closed, and one that was open but looked to be nearly fully seated. I gave up the restaurant "chase," and headed out of town, but much to my joy, as I was about ready to leave town I spotted Mauricio's Taco Shop, with a bit "OPEN" sign fully lit. I was in the mood for Mexican food, and the restaurant was open, so I was definitely in business... The menudo was delicious, nearly brick-red, tasty, hearty, and filled with lots of tripe, hominy and other goodies. Thank goodness I didn't get the calve's foot, which many times seems to be my fate! Combine this excellent bowl of menudo, the warm tortillas and the Jarritos, this made for a delicious breakfast. The menudo was delicious and really put a smile on my face for this Sunday morning. Food was great and the price was very reasonable. When you're visiting La Junta, Colorado on a Sunday morning, and you're in the mood for great Mexican food, head over to Mauricio's Taco Shop.

Mauricio's Tacos - La Junta, Colorado…read more My family and I tried Mauricios Tacos for the first time a few months ago. We had been curious about the place for years but never had the time to stop. Then, one night we were heading home from Pueblo, they were still open, and a fresh taco sounded great. Okay, maybe two tacos each to be honest. So we grabbed tacos to go so they had plenty of time to close at their leisure. I nearly told the gal to keep the tacos when I saw the price but when you need a taco, you need a taco. We were all pleasantly surprised by the size of the tacos, presentation with extras, and the taste. This was a stop we were going to plan for in advance from then on. The next time we stopped we ate inside the no frills but exceptionally clean restaurant. We had more tacos, rice, beans, and a chili relleno. It was really good yet again. Our plates were empty and so it was easy to scrape and stack them at their trash bins. And then there was today. We left home early to hit our new favorite guilty pleasure. The three of us spent $76 and change, with tip, for three plates. We all had the same #10, rice and beans with a beef burrito and a crispy beef taco. We all agreed that the taco was good, the rice and beans were...okay, and the burrito was as dry as the Sahara and just nasty. There was only a bit of dry shredded beef and a hint of cheese in a tortilla that was so dry it was painful to try to chew. My son wouldn't even eat. My mother ate to be polite. I ate what I could because I paid too much for the disappointment we had been served. As we ate we hardly spoke because of the volume of the dueling flat screen TVs having a Fox vs CNN showdown. We DID discuss that we didn't understand why we were being asked to tip when they only handed us food. I mean, what is the point. I tipped just because anymore you just have to wonder if you are risking a return if you don't comply. But I have to get our food, get the to-go box, scrap our plates and stack them at the trash. So, I went to the restroom and I returned I stood at the end of the table in order to wait for my son and handicapped mother to be ready to stand and leave with me. I hadn't grabbed the plates yet. (Why stand there with dirty dishes in hand just to wait?) My mother and I had discussed that if you tip you shouldn't have to do the dishes but it is not my way to leave them. That is when the female employee, who was talking with another table, haulted mid conversation to scold me. Yep, you read that right. She yelled (no exaggeration) across the way to me that I needed to scrape and stack our plates before I left. She was harsh and wore an angry expression as she berated me. I should add that I have ALWAYS been polite, even kind to her. When she stopped, and mind you she went on, I calmly informed her that we hadn't left yet and her behavior was not only premature but completely uncalled for. We were the customers, not employees. We were the guests, not unwelcome strangers. I am an adult, and not a badly mannered child. I feel bad for the table the female employee was standing with. They had to have felt so neglected when she cut them off. TIP is actually an acronym. It means To Insure Proper Service. There is no reason for Mauricio's employees to receive tips when they can't even behave properly in general. To that female: Shame on you for lowering yourself to act like a rabid dog. You did yourself and the business that employs you a disservice. Moral of the story might be to take the tacos, don't tip, and leave. WE will not return.

Another hidden gem in La Junta, serious 5 star breakfast burritos, huge and loaded with fresh…read moreingredients at a very reasonable price. Might as well get it smothered because you'll be needing a knife and fork anyway! The green chili is highly recommended.

A previous review of green chili in the burrito drew us in. Sooooo glad it did. Really perfect…read morewarm and tasty chili flavor in my bacon and egg burrito. Great tortilla. Owner was terrific. Fun colors and clean. They will cook and substitute however you want. I got my burrito potatoes on the side. They had obviously been cooled with a broth. Very flavorful. Smothered is a tasty choice. I will come again if we are passing thru la junta again.