A Disappointing Visit to a Once-Great RestaurantMy family has been loyal patrons of this restaurant for over four decades, and until our recent visit, it had consistently been a delightful place to dine. Unfortunately, our most recent experience left us disheartened.The service was the most distressing aspect of our evening. Our server exhibited extreme unfriendliness and impatience, bordering on outright rudeness. Despite the restaurant being relatively empty, she hurried us from the moment we stepped in. To our surprise, in the middle of our meal, she abruptly demanded payment on the spot. We were never presented with a check—a customary courtesy that allows guests to review charges before settling.Beyond the service, the culinary disappointment was palpable. The beans and rice tasted as though they had been prepared the day before—dry and astonishingly bland. However, amidst this culinary letdown, there was a silver lining: my margarita. It stood out as one of the best I’ve ever had.In light of this experience, I sincerely hope that the restaurant’s owner takes serious measures to restore its former glory. As for me, it will be quite some time before I consider another visit.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Brax Rohde
I've been going for years and will continue for years to come! Delicious food that I can't find anywhere else.Parking: You can find parking on the street out front or behind the restaurant, there is a parking lot and a rear entrance.Kid-friendliness: High chairs and kid friendly food.Wheelchair accessibility: No stairs, and there are table / booth options that are spacious enough to accommodate
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rajeev V.
What a fantastic place I will go to for good Mexican food Their Molé is to die for and they are so nice that they will put it on cheese enchiladas if you are vegetarian Oh, and the owners are sweethearts
Anthony M.
i do not recommend this place at all. avoid at all cost. small portions and very over priced compared tp others in the area. paying for all the "decorations" inside. not recommended at all. plus, the food is not that good !!!!!!!!!!!
k___ s___
I really had high hopes for this place. However, the food was very inconsistent between everyone in our party. Some of the green peppers were bad which altered the taste of the meal. The red sauce was not appealing looking and not tasty. Others who had the green chile sauce really enjoyed their meal (it's spicy, watch out). Ordered a draft beer and it was flat. The house margarita was average, I think the owner waited on us. We didn't feel comfortable sharing our concerns with her, so we just paid our bill and did not complain. Maybe they had an off day when we went on a Friday at 5 pm. Plus the restaurant wasn't busy, considering it was a Friday.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Katie Collins
Still some of the best homemade mexican food! Check 'em out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole, Combination Platter, Enchilada, Taco, Burrito, Tamale, Guacamole Scoop a La Carte
Mark Reeves
Great vintage restaurant. Excellent authentic food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Julie Hutmacher
They have the best green chili in town. I have been going here for 30 years.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gear K.
I LOVE this place - it's been a staple since childhood and is food I can always rely on (home made tortillas make everything better). Service is always great, I tend to get there shortly after open so I never have any issue or delay on anything. The inside hasn't changed a lot since I've been eating at La Cueva (for 25 years) - so it feels like home. Colorful, and historic. It's ALWAYS my first stop when I fly home.
Obama prism
I've been eating here for 30 years.Best Mexican food you'll ever eat!!!!
If you are wondering if this place is the real deal you'd be right, I've been going here my whole life and the staff has never been nothing but sweet. the food is the best mexican food I've had in Colorado, their chile relleno is so good and their red sauce is unbeatable. I also love their pretty bar.
ronnie shaw ..
Our family has been eating here for over 30 years The food is consistently fantastic. The service is family and wonderful and the margaritas are terrific. The place is immaculate. The table are comfortable and not too close together and the bar is charming. But more could you want? This is our go to.
Random Rants
Great local, family owned Mexican restaurant on Colfax. They've got quite a bit of seating, and a full bar with a HUGE selection of Tequilas, as well as draft beers, and many margaritas!Their food is reasonably priced, about as much as a combo at a fast-food place nowadays, but for healthy, wholesome, delicious, and heartily-portioned food!I particularly enjoyed the smothered chicken burritos, mmm.It's also got a very warm, cozy atmosphere, with low, sultry lighting. Great vibe and atmosphere.The owners and staff are incredible and very friendly! I felt right at home. I'll be back again soon; thanks! =D
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, Beef Burrito, Burrito
Holly Poitra (Holly Hall)
The quality of food seems to have gone down while their prices were noticeably higherParking: Park in the back for easier accessibility
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Combination Platter
Barbara R.
If you're thinking of eating here, my suggestion is look elsewhere. It was the single worst restaurant meal I have had in years--and it was expensive! The margarita was bad, the tortillas were hard and tasteless, the beans and rice were hard and blah, the chile rellenos were substandard, and my husband's combination meal was equally disappointing.
A Disappointing Visit to a Once-Great RestaurantMy family has been loyal patrons of this restaurant for over four decades, and until our recent visit, it had consistently been a delightful place to dine. Unfortunately, our most recent experience left us disheartened.The service was the most distressing aspect of our evening. Our server exhibited extreme unfriendliness and impatience, bordering on outright rudeness. Despite the restaurant being relatively empty, she hurried us from the moment we stepped in. To our surprise, in the middle of our meal, she abruptly demanded payment on the spot. We were never presented with a check—a customary courtesy that allows guests to review charges before settling.Beyond the service, the culinary disappointment was palpable. The beans and rice tasted as though they had been prepared the day before—dry and astonishingly bland. However, amidst this culinary letdown, there was a silver lining: my margarita. It stood out as one of the best I’ve ever had.In light of this experience, I sincerely hope that the restaurant’s owner takes serious measures to restore its former glory. As for me, it will be quite some time before I consider another visit.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
I've been going for years and will continue for years to come! Delicious food that I can't find anywhere else.Parking: You can find parking on the street out front or behind the restaurant, there is a parking lot and a rear entrance.Kid-friendliness: High chairs and kid friendly food.Wheelchair accessibility: No stairs, and there are table / booth options that are spacious enough to accommodate
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a fantastic place I will go to for good Mexican food Their Molé is to die for and they are so nice that they will put it on cheese enchiladas if you are vegetarian Oh, and the owners are sweethearts
i do not recommend this place at all. avoid at all cost. small portions and very over priced compared tp others in the area. paying for all the "decorations" inside. not recommended at all. plus, the food is not that good !!!!!!!!!!!
I really had high hopes for this place. However, the food was very inconsistent between everyone in our party. Some of the green peppers were bad which altered the taste of the meal. The red sauce was not appealing looking and not tasty. Others who had the green chile sauce really enjoyed their meal (it's spicy, watch out). Ordered a draft beer and it was flat. The house margarita was average, I think the owner waited on us. We didn't feel comfortable sharing our concerns with her, so we just paid our bill and did not complain. Maybe they had an off day when we went on a Friday at 5 pm. Plus the restaurant wasn't busy, considering it was a Friday.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Still some of the best homemade mexican food! Check 'em out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole, Combination Platter, Enchilada, Taco, Burrito, Tamale, Guacamole Scoop a La Carte
Great vintage restaurant. Excellent authentic food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
They have the best green chili in town. I have been going here for 30 years.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I LOVE this place - it's been a staple since childhood and is food I can always rely on (home made tortillas make everything better). Service is always great, I tend to get there shortly after open so I never have any issue or delay on anything. The inside hasn't changed a lot since I've been eating at La Cueva (for 25 years) - so it feels like home. Colorful, and historic. It's ALWAYS my first stop when I fly home.
I've been eating here for 30 years.Best Mexican food you'll ever eat!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
If you are wondering if this place is the real deal you'd be right, I've been going here my whole life and the staff has never been nothing but sweet. the food is the best mexican food I've had in Colorado, their chile relleno is so good and their red sauce is unbeatable. I also love their pretty bar.
Our family has been eating here for over 30 years The food is consistently fantastic. The service is family and wonderful and the margaritas are terrific. The place is immaculate. The table are comfortable and not too close together and the bar is charming. But more could you want? This is our go to.
Great local, family owned Mexican restaurant on Colfax. They've got quite a bit of seating, and a full bar with a HUGE selection of Tequilas, as well as draft beers, and many margaritas!Their food is reasonably priced, about as much as a combo at a fast-food place nowadays, but for healthy, wholesome, delicious, and heartily-portioned food!I particularly enjoyed the smothered chicken burritos, mmm.It's also got a very warm, cozy atmosphere, with low, sultry lighting. Great vibe and atmosphere.The owners and staff are incredible and very friendly! I felt right at home. I'll be back again soon; thanks! =D
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, Beef Burrito, Burrito
The quality of food seems to have gone down while their prices were noticeably higherParking: Park in the back for easier accessibility
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Combination Platter
If you're thinking of eating here, my suggestion is look elsewhere. It was the single worst restaurant meal I have had in years--and it was expensive! The margarita was bad, the tortillas were hard and tasteless, the beans and rice were hard and blah, the chile rellenos were substandard, and my husband's combination meal was equally disappointing.