16 Hole In The Wall Taco Stands Only Locals Know About In Colorado
Colorado might be famous for mountains and microbrews, but locals know it’s also home to some seriously amazing taco spots.
Hidden in strip malls, parked on street corners, or tucked into tiny storefronts, these authentic taco havens serve up mouthwatering flavors that rival anything you’d find south of the border.
Skip the touristy spots and check out these 16 hole-in-the-wall taco joints that Coloradans try to keep to themselves.
1. Tacos Selene
Family-owned and impossibly authentic, this Aurora gem serves up handmade tortillas that’ll make you weep with joy. The al pastor spins hypnotically on its trompo, collecting flavor with every rotation.
Weekends bring specials like barbacoa and menudo. Cash only, but trust me – empty your wallet and fill your belly. You won’t regret it.
2. La Calle Taqueria
Squeezed between a laundromat and a phone repair shop, La Calle doesn’t look like much from outside. Step inside and you’re transported straight to Mexico City’s street food scene.
Their tongue tacos might sound scary, but brave eaters are rewarded with buttery, melt-in-your-mouth perfection. The salsa bar alone is worth the trip – eight homemade options ranging from mild to face-melting.
3. El Trompito
Don’t let the gas station location fool you – El Trompito serves some of Westminster’s finest tacos. The owners, originally from Jalisco, bring regional specialties like birria tacos with consommé for dipping.
Weekend mornings? The line forms early for their hangover-curing breakfast tacos. Grab extra napkins – these juicy beauties are deliciously messy affairs that drip down your arm in the best possible way.
4. El Taco Veloz
Blink and you’ll miss this Federal Boulevard institution. The hand-painted sign and bars on windows might not scream “come eat here,” but locals know better.
Their carnitas achieve that mythical texture – crispy edges, tender middle. Weekday lunch specials include two tacos, rice, beans, and a drink for under $8.
5. Xicamiti La Taquería Bistro
Xicamiti blends traditional recipes with creative twists. The cactus tacos might sound strange but will convert even skeptical eaters with their tangy, slightly tart flavor.
Family photos line the walls while Abuela’s recipes fill the menu. Their homemade horchata is legendary – perfectly sweet, nutty, and cinnamon-spiced.
6. Taqueria La Familia
Tucked behind a car wash in Longmont, this converted food truck now has permanent walls but keeps its street food soul. Regulars order lengua tacos without even glancing at the menu.
The fiery red and green salsas come in squeeze bottles – use sparingly unless you enjoy beautiful pain!
On summer evenings, the picnic tables outside fill with families sharing massive taco platters and stories from the day.
7. El Zarape
Nestled in a forgotten corner of a Pueblo strip mall, El Zarape looks like it hasn’t been updated since 1982 – and that’s part of its charm. The faded menu board lists tacos at impossibly low prices.
Their specialty is potato-and-chorizo tacos that achieve perfect balance – spicy, starchy, and satisfying. The owner knows most customers by name and often slips regulars an extra taco “for the road.”
8. Tacos Y Tortas Valentin
Operating from what was once a drive-through bank in Commerce City, this family operation serves tacos that inspire devotion. The suadero (brisket) tacos develop a cult following among anyone who tries them.
Their salsa macha – a smoky, oil-based chili condiment – elevates everything it touches. Saturday mornings bring menudo seekers nursing hangovers.
9. La Cascada
Sandwiched between pawn shops in Colorado Springs, La Cascada’s exterior suggests nothing special. Inside, the magic happens – homemade tortillas pressed by hand, right before your eyes.
Their cabeza tacos convert even the most offal-averse diners with rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The walls feature faded posters of Mexican tourist destinations none of the staff has had time to visit.
10. Mariscos El Charco
Landlocked Colorado seems an unlikely spot for seafood tacos, but El Charco defies geography. This Greeley spot flies in fresh shrimp and fish multiple times weekly for their Sinaloa-style seafood tacos.
The shrimp gobernador taco – with cheese, peppers, and perfectly seasoned shellfish – will make you question everything you thought you knew about mountain state cuisine.
11. 7 Leguas
Named after Pancho Villa’s horse, this Fort Collins institution serves tacos that would make the revolutionary proud. The owner, Don Manuel, still works the grill at 78, refusing to retire or change a single recipe.
Their crispy tripas tacos might sound intimidating, but the perfectly crunchy texture and rich flavor convert first-timers into regulars.
12. Tacos Aya Yay
What happens when a classically trained chef gets tired of fine dining? This Boulder taco stand with the playful name. Chef Maria left her restaurant job to make the tacos she grew up eating in Michoacán.
Her cochinita pibil tacos feature pork marinated for 24 hours in achiote and sour orange. The tiny space fits just four stools, but regulars happily eat standing up or perched on the curb outside.
13. El Rey Del Taco
The “King of Tacos” rules from an unlikely throne – a converted gas station in Thornton. Don’t let the fluorescent lighting fool you; these are some of the most authentic tacos north of the border.
Their specialty is tacos de canasta – “basket tacos” that are lightly fried then steamed to perfection. Open until 3 AM on weekends, it’s where local chefs head after their restaurants close.
14. Los Comales
Named for the traditional flat griddle, this Alamosa institution serves tacos so good they’ve never needed to advertise. Word of mouth has kept them busy for 27 years and counting.
Their specialty is alambre tacos – grilled steak with bacon, peppers, onions, and cheese. The tiny kitchen produces enormous flavors.
15. Taco Del Gnar
Breaking all the rules in Ridgway, this spot fuses traditional Mexican techniques with decidedly non-traditional ingredients.
Their “Avo Taco” with tempura-fried avocado would horrify purists but delights adventurous eaters.
Founded by a former snowboard instructor with no formal culinary training but plenty of passion. The tiny kitchen churns out wildly creative combinations.
Despite the innovations, they still press tortillas by hand daily – some traditions are worth keeping.
16. Taqueria Guadalajara #2
Don’t waste time looking for #1 – this standalone Arvada spot is the original, despite its confusing name. The building’s former life as a 1950s diner still shows in its retro countertops and chrome details.
Their carnitas tacos achieve that perfect texture – crispy edges giving way to tender, juicy pork. Weekends bring special goat birria that sells out by noon.
