Tequila Jalisco Family Restaurant — Restaurant in Arvada

In one word, disappointing. We had arrived in Arvada earlier in the afternoon after traveling from Chicago. Dropped off our gear at our AirBnB and chose Mi Tierra Caliente taking a chance on the mixed reviews that had been written. This restaurant is in a part off Arvada that might be viewed a sketchy, particularly from Chicago standards. Particularly when the restaurant warns you with a sign in the window, "Park at your own risk."

Aside from that concern, the staff is far from confident that they know how to run a restaurant. the place is not large, so the lack of attention to the restaurant guests is noticeable. In addition to them goofing around behind the hostess station and our waitress apparently still learning her role is the restaurant.

Now for the meal. The salsa that was served in watery and runny. It tastes like something out of jar they purchased at King Soopers

We began our meal with the Shrimp Ceviche which is served with tortilla chips. It's not bad as a starter as it's a good opening to refresh your palette. With this I ordered a jalepeño margarita while my son Petar had a pineapple margarita. They were both well made drinks and quenched our thirst.

Next when they brought. out our entre it was delivered sloppily. We needed to ask for silverware and they paid little attention to if we needed another beverage. This impacts how well your tip is going to be at the end. I had the Carne Asada Michoacána while Petar ordered the Carne Asada Taco's. They were both average at best. Not flavorful and just meh. Then when the bill came I had a reality check. I get that running a restaurant is not an inexpensive endeavor these days. But it needs to be commensory with the quality of what is being served. All these things combined made it a less than memorable meal. I wish I could recommend this restaurant but the vibe and the meal didn't meet the expectation I had walking through the door. I wish we had a chance to visit when the former owners were operating this place and agree with many others who are really critical of what this Mexican restaurant is today. Sadly missing on many fronts and I hope they can turn it around...

Outstanding food. Im pretty picky about Mexican food. Growing up in Colorado you get spoiled. You know what's good and whats mediocre or worse. I'm an established home cook and my son is a chef so I appreciate good food. The chips that came out before the meal were so good. Not too salty or greasy and a little spice. The hot sauce tastes like someone's abuela long ago came up with a secret recipe. Not the usual blasé fare you can get elsewhere. I ordered a rellano, 2 tacos and some refritos. The tacos are listed separately and you can choose 2 tacos or 2 other items which are served with rice and beans and cost a mere pittance. The tacos were outstanding. No shredded cheddar and hamburger meat here. Authentic Mexican only. Carnitas, shrimp, steak and shredded pork to name a few. All the sauses were well balanced between flavor and heat and each type of taco gets a unique sause. I asked if they could please grill my tortillas instead of steaming them and the owner told me thats how we make them! Rare that someone in the kitchen knows exactly what they are doing. They are new and have remodeled. Much nicer than the old place. The owner chatted with me throughout my meal, or I should say he listened to my chatter attentively and really cares about his place and his customers experience. While looking for a place to dine, I first drove through Olde Town Arvada and checked on the Mexican places there. They were crammed full of hipsters and yuppies and there was no place to park. I've eaten at those restaurants several times, the food's very mediocre some places, the prices are high and the menu for the one place is pretentious. No thanks. Mi Tierra Caliente is off the beaten path and the food, parking, prices, friendliness, and vibe are much better here. The hipsters and yuppies can have Olde Town. My entertainment/food dollars are better spent here. Thank you Atlas, for a great meal and a pleasing chat. I'll be back!

Bye the way. Im not the only one who likes this place. Westword magazine has an article coming out...

We have been looking for a “go-to” Mexican restaurant in our area, and we found it. Tuesday, we ate at Mi Tierra Caliente on 64th near Sheridan. Super impressed with the whole experience. We read some great reviews, and every one stood up to the test. To start off, the chips and salsa were very good, and when we added guacamole and the (poquito) margaritas, what a start. I had tacos (it WAS taco Tuesday). The birria, carnitas and pastor were all super flavorful (I ended up eating 5) and the three different salsas meant I could make them as hot or mild as I want. And I like cilantro and onions, but they did ask if I wanted them before they put in the order, as some don’t enjoy that on tacos. My wife had the tamales plate, and I don’t think we have ever had this perfect a ratio of masa to pork, and the green chili and queso fresco topped them in the best way. And usually we don’t finish the rice and beans, but these were the best we have had in a restaurant. We somehow still had room, and split the churros for dessert, which were also excellent - crunchy with a delicious filling and chocolate/syrup drizzle. When the check came, it was very reasonable. But the best part of the experience was the outstanding service, provided by Diego and his wife - not over the top, but always there if you need something. We will be back, and we hope you give it a try also - Diego said they just completed one year at this location and we are glad to have found our new “go-to”.

We went around 5:30 on a Tuesday, and though it got more busy, it was still easy to talk. Family friendly place. Full bar looks like they can handle whatever your drink order is, but plenty of Margaritas, Patron, and Modelos with an early weekday happy hour before 5 on some beers...