Blanco Cocina + Cantina — Restaurant in Denver

I was eager to try this new Arizona Mexican/Southwestern spot, so I arranged a lunch date with two friends. The restaurant is in the new 9+CO development off Colorado Boulevard. It has collaborated with its sister spot, Culinary Dropout, on a huge circular drive that makes it super convenient to pick up a takeout order or to drop off an elderly or handicapped friend right in front of the door. This is a really nice amenity and makes the restaurant very accessible. There is some street parking plus a large, free parking ramp on the diagonal corner.

The space is beautifully decorated with a spacious dining area, a huge, open kitchen, and a large bar, nicely separated from the dining room. There is an outdoor patio, currently enclosed with plastic curtains for winter use.

The staff was efficient and helpful and the food was phenomenal, starting with a thick, delicious salsa. The accompanying chips may have been a bit salty, but they went nicely with the salsa and my very well-balanced and super fresh-tasting margarita.

The only downside here is a very, very, very slow kitchen. The manager stopped by to apologize after we had waited 45 minutes for our food. He said they were finding it nearly impossible to hire adequate kitchen staff. I understand the problem and we only saw three people in the huge kitchen. However, we stopped in for a late lunch. Only eight tables were occupied plus a handful of people at the bar. Most seemed to have already been served. Also, this type of food is typically prepped in advance and more finished and assembled to order than cooked totally from scratch. Even a small staff should be able to turn things out much more efficiently. I just don't understand this. I'd strongly advise avoiding peak dining hours as I can't imagine how bad the backup might be.

I do appreciate that the kitchen didn't cut any corners, though. Our meals were nicely presented and uniformly fantastic. We tried the tortilla soup, the short rib tacos (caramelized peppers and onions, cotija cheese, and sour cream), and the short rib machaca, enchilada-style (caramelized peppers and onions, yellow cheese, ancho chile sauce, and cilantro). The food had clearly been prepared with love and skill. The depth and complexity of flavors were amazing. The accompanying black beans and rice were also extremely well executed. I really am at a loss for words--just wonderful food.

An interesting feature of the menu is that the five main entrees can be prepared as burritos, bowls, or enchiladas. There are also various fajita options, a combo plate, multiple taco plates, chimichangas, salads, their special cheese crisps, and a number of interesting starters. There's the usual margarita list--regular or frozen--plus cocktails, beers, wine, and a substantial selection of tequilas and mezcal.

Everything about this restaurant is great, if they could only fix that super slow kitchen. I definitely recommend this place, just don't plan on...

If you want to have a dining experience that kills any good vibes you have going on, look no further than Blanco.

This is hands-down the biggest rip-off and worst restaurant in the neighborhood. I’m telling you, do not go.

The first time I visited was a year and a half ago. The food was overpriced and extremely mid. The $15 cocktail came in the type of plastic cup they’d give you at Pizza Hut. Yes, really. We agreed never to go back. But hey, got to try your local places at least once. Accept the sunk cost.

Fast-forward to last Saturday. Looking for somewhere to pre-game with friends. We’re not hungry so we think “let’s go for some chips and salsa, maybe some margs.” We knew Blanco sucked, but it was close by, and SURELY it would be fine for margs and chips.

LOL. Our first warning it was still awful should’ve been that it was Saturday night and the place was nearly empty. We sat down and got the chips and salsa. The salsa tasted like ketchup. Ok, well, we’ll get some other dips instead. We ask for some queso and guac to go with our chips and a single margarita pitcher. The queso tasted cheap. We ate maybe 1/3. Guac was average. The margarita pitcher was enough to fill approximately five 4” glasses. That’s fine, we weren’t looking for much.

Oh but then the bill comes! Reader, when I tell you I am still in shock.

Would you believe that just those three things (queso, guac, and the pitcher) cost $108?? That extremely average pitcher of margarita was $72. $72! Actual highway robbery.

I can only hope my review adequately dissuades at least one person from this place. If you’re looking for somewhere that won’t leave you angry a week later, try Machete. The food is superior in every way. The ingredients are better quality. The quesadillas and taco are incredible. I have never had anything I didn’t love. And unlike Blanco, they don’t have...

Me and my sisters went to this restaurant to have a good night, when the waitress approached our table, made a statement that the kitchen was a mess that orders were being backed up, has customers we should not know all what was going on. Her attitude became very rude and disrespectful, when placing our order asking her questions about the meals. She made a statement saying I feel like I’m being tested. That was the first start of her attitude . The second was when we asked for the condiments that went with our meals. She gave us attitude, third time she came to our table bring us to go boxes. As we were still eating, didn’t ask if we needed anything else. If we want anything else to drink, or if we wanted any dessert. We asked another waiter if we could talk to the manager, he approached our table apologizing, bringing us drinks. As we sit there and continue our conversation. We notice how the waitress interact with other customers that was either Caucasian, we were the only Black people that was in the restaurant. We felt like we were being treated like this because of the color of our skin. We became very upset. As being natives here in Colorado!! I never been treated like this at any restaurant. This was the first for us. General manager came to our table stated she would cover our meals, as we explain to her it’s not about us paying for our meals!!! it’s about how we’re being treated!! I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO THIS RESTAURANT!! I WILL NEVER Recommend this restaurant...