Hacienda Colorado — Restaurant in Wheat Ridge

I arrived at about 4:30 on a Wednesday. I have never been to a Hacienda before however, being from New Mexico I was excited for some high quality mexican food. I decided to seat myself at the bar because I was by my self today. There were two women seated next to me and one man on the other side of the bar. There was one other man on the other side of the bar that I identified as a off duty employee of this establishment. He was keeping the bartender very busy with conversation. Customers were seated at four tables in the restaurant but they all were already eating when I arrived. After 10 minutes of not being helped I was able to get the bartenders attention to order a drink and a menu. I decided what to order for dinner and again after 15 minutes had to get the bartenders attention to place my dinner order. After about 5 more minutes the two women seated next to me that arrived at the same time I did were served their meal (aparently they knew the bartender from the conversation). After another 52 minutes my meal finally arrived. I was never once asked if I needed anything or if my meal was okay. I ate what I could and waited and waited for the bill it never came. Finally the bartender took my plate and I was able to hand her my credit card without knowing a total. Also for the entire time two servers were at the drink station just talking away

Quality of food and drink; My top shelf margarita was definitely not what I am accustomed to. The best I can guess, it must be made with powdered lemonade. I did not like it. My poblano de pollo even with requesting it to be extra spicy really did not have much flavor at all and definitely no spice. The rice was very dry and what ever was in the small bowl with brown water I did not even risk trying it. Between the complete lack of service sitting in basically a empty restaurant 3 feet from the bartender, the very poorly executed margarita and the food that could have been a frozen tv dinner, I don't think this place is for me. On a positive note, it was a very inexpensive...

Two years ago and I ate at this place at another location I don't remember the food being particularly exciting or the staff to be particularly helpful or even really the environment to be particularly compelling. All of that has changed with this location, that and the post lockdown Glee I felt in eating here today was met by a joyful exuberant staff, knowledgeable kind hosts, truly delicious food and an amply gorgeous and other worldly environment.

Even if one of these things were just as they were pre-pandemic I would have been grateful, but to exceed prior expectations and experiences in an era of upside down everything it's really a treat to feel safe, considered, cared for and cooked for all well socially distanced appropriately.

I recognize it's just a restaurant and there are many of these left, I hear. But today was a truly magical experience for which I was unprepared and I'm endlessly appreciative.

If you're like me and you have slight hesitances about going back into the world we left 15 months ago, I would recommend you take The first baby steps out of place as meaningfully careful as you are cautious. Honestly, places like this need your support and and you'll be surprised at how much you've needed them too. I recommend the chicken, the daily margarita, and Ryan, if he happens...

We decided to just check and see if by chance on opening night a table would be available. We were told 25-30 min wait. 10 min later a table was available. One negative, as we were being taken to a table I saw 3 booths and asked if we could possibly have a booth. We were told no because they were all reserved. No problem. In the 2 1/2 hours we were there only one of those booths were used. The food was all delicious with the small exception that the steak in my burrito was extremely chewy. I’ve eaten at many Hacienda restaurants and never had that before. I realize this franchise has sold, let’s hope they don’t cut corners ruining this successful restaurant. Everyone else had a great meal nothing but rave reviews especially on the Vegi fajitas. Margaritas were exceptionally yummy. I would give them 5 stars had my steak burrito been better. Service was excellent but very slow but I chalk that up to opening night. This restaurant has great atmosphere however music was pretty loud(again opening blunders I think) hard to talk over the music. Family friendly, good food, good service and with exception to alcohol the prices were reasonable. I think this restaurant is great for celebration dinners, date night or simply a no cook night. We’ll certainly be back. If you’ve not tried Hacienda if Colorado...