Venalonzo's Tacos - Parker — Restaurant in Parker

🌮 Venalonzo’s Tacos: Denver's Birria Masterpiece 🍴

Stop what you’re doing and head to Venalonzo’s Tacos in Centennial—this tiny taco shop is absolutely must-visit. Its bold flavors, authentic style, and neighborhood vibes make it feel magical local treasure, and yes, it’s so close to home—no more long drives for tacos that actually deliver.

⭐ Accolades & Recognition

Voted Best Taco in Denver (2024) by Denver Gazette readers and earned a spot within Yelp’s Top 100 Taco Spots in America (#22) and Top 100 Places to Eat in the Southwest (#82) .

The owners, siblings Nati and Pako Venalonzo, bring family recipes all the way from Mochitlán, Mexico—transforming their cozy strip‑mall storefront into a culinary destination .

🥘 The Food That Makes You Smile

Quesabirria tacos steal the show—crispy, cheesy tortillas stuffed with stewed birria meat, served with flavorful consomé for dipping. It’s no wonder almost every table has them . Reviewers rave that they’re possibly “the best I've had in Denver” .

A diverse menu features street tacos (al pastor, asada, carnitas, barbacoa, chicken, veggie), burritos, chimichangas, chilaquiles, tortas, nachos, chili relleno plates, and even wings and alambres—everything fresh and balanced with pickled onions, cilantro, salsas, lime, rice, and beans .

🧡 Community & Atmosphere

The decor feels like a welcoming Mexican home—colorful lotería flags, family photos, and warm hospitality that fills the small dining room. Seating is limited, lines often stretch during peak hours, but it’s absolutely worth it .

Takeout and online ordering are popular too, making it easy to grab amazing food without fuss—but sitting in, there’s no better experience.

💬 Rave Reviews from the Community

From Reddit's r/denverfood:

“Venolonzo’s is 3 blocks down the road and I think it’s better than Carrera’s.”

Another user adds: “Venolonzo’s (across the street) is like walking into my Mexican grandmother’s kitchen… I think I had a spiritual experience in there.… And $3 tacos… Soo good!!!”

✅ Why You’ll Love It

Intense, authentic birria flavor in every quesabirria bite.

A friendly, neighborhood vibe that's warm and welcoming.

Unbeatable value—this kind of quality tacos so near home is rare.

📍 Final Thoughts

If you want bold flavor, real-deal birria, and a local spot that feels like a kitchen with heart and soul—Venalonzo’s Tacos is it. I’m overjoyed it’s so nearby; no long drives, no compromises—just amazing food and warm vibes. Make it your taco go-to before every other taqueria even gets your attention.

Trust me, this tiny Centennial shop is Denver taco royalty—and you won’t regret putting it...

Went in for the first time to get a snack and see how they might be any different than the many restaurants that offer similar menu items. Got the Quesabirria and oh my goodness - so delicious and the jus that accompanies it has incredible deep flavor yet is light and bright not heavy. One quesabirria was fairly large and extremely filling. I will definitely be back to try more of their menu items for sure! I pretty much never say that about Mexcian / Tex Mex / Southwest places because they all seem to turn out the same ho-hum food. This one is definitely a cut above yet still budget-friendly. They also serve cocktails, beer, wine if you want that as well. And they have a small salad bar setup with pickled vegetables, other fresh produce, and numerous sauces.

Staff are friendly and informative. The only negative at all, and it is minor, was that almost all the tables and the trash can swing door were dirty. They've only been open 2 months but that trash looked like it had been around for a lot longer. If they can keep it tidied up all the time it would help make eating in more appealing. They did keep the salad bar area clean though, so that's good.

All in all worth further visits from me and...

Came in because it was open and I used to frequent the Mexican restuarant that had this space before. I was hoping to find a new favorite place (in Parker) and ... didnt.

Not that any part of the experience was particularly bad, it just didn't "wow" me at either the food level or the service.

Ordering was easy and rhe girl behind the counter was very pleasant. I had the 3 Birria taco plate and, having seen photos of this taco style, I was excited to eat them. They were underwhelming, especially at near $5/each. The tacos were not "thick" as they're shown in the photos, and the meat was dry and bland. Sure, there was a sauce bar, which I used to add some flavor to the tacos which made them better, but without the sauce the tacos weren't anything to write home about.

The interior of the restuaruant was very colorful and, on a Sunday morning, I was surprised at how busy it was.

Will I return? At least once more, to see if my experience was normal or an aberration, but at these prices Id rather go to the food truck across...