20th Street Mexican Cafe — Restaurant in Denver

As out-of-towners, my husband and I were looking for affordable but delicious food in downtown Denver. This place more than fulfilled all our expectations. My husband, originally from Texas and with Opinions about Tex Mex food, took one deep breath upon entering and whispered excitedly, "This smells like home." The salsa was SPICY and I was here for it! (My husband is not as into the spice, but really, it was just the perfect amount of kick.) When we travel, we typically split meals because we don't like to waste food and we don't typically have an option to eat the rest of a meal later. We asked to split a meal--which the owners happily accommodated and even split the food for us on our own plates! (Above and beyond!) We also ordered cheese dip--and it was DELICIOUS. There was no skinting on the cheese or chiles. We ordered the carne ranchero--which was almost like a beef stew that came with a side of beans and rice. The beans were homemade--and full of flavor (read: pork--and it was DELICIOUS) and the rice was perfectly cooked: slightly seasoned with cumin and a hint of tomato, flavorful but not overpowering the other foods. The service was swift; the location was clean and cozy, but definitely more a "diner" feel than a restaurant. Probably room for about 20-30 people all told inside. We felt like we'd hit the jackpot for best places to eat in Denver, especially for Tex Mex. Highly recommend. Extremely affordable....

20th Street Mexican Café Review - Denver, CO

If you're heading to 20th Street Mexican Café with hopes of enjoying a delicious smothered burrito, you might be in for a letdown. I recently tried their smothered burrito, and it was a watery mess. The sauce lacked the hearty texture you'd expect, leaving the whole dish soggy and disappointing. If you're craving a solid burrito experience, this may not be the place.

That said, the café does have some redeeming qualities. Their burgers and breakfast items are much more reliable choices. The burger is flavorful, cooked well, and hits the spot if you're looking for something simple and satisfying. Their breakfast food also holds up well, with classic dishes that are well-executed.

In summary, skip the smothered burrito and opt for the burger or a breakfast dish if you're planning a visit. You'll be happier with...

In town for a conference, hotel doesn't offer breakfast until 7am and it's 6am and I'm hungry. To my surprise, the only option is Starbucks (heck no!). So I Google, walk 15 minutes and find this gem. Do not judge a book by its cover. Nothing to write home about. I sat myself at a table and the staff came with the menu. First things first. Coffee and water. The menu offers were so Mexican and I mean that in a positive way. Yum, yum, yum! Didn't know what to order so I went with a Denver omelette, Mexican style. Huge portion, sauce in a bowl, bread in aluminum foil. Look at the pics to see what I'm talking about. Coffee was on point and the mug was unique. I consider the price relatively cheap. I'm from NYC, so this would be $25+ without the pro staff, portion and quality. Highly recommended and support a local business punching up to its...