92 APRIL 4-10, 2024 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SHOPPING & SERVICES | CONTENTS | ños. Don Carlos recently added a second deal: 99-cent al pastor tacos on Saturdays — quite the steal for a premium business day. Expect a line, but it moves quickly, as the team has really honed its skills over the past few months. Best Den-Mex Eats at a Bar Brewery Bar II 150 Kalamath Street 303-893-0971 brewerybars.com Brewery Bar has a long history in Denver. It was founded by Abe Shur in 1954 at the Tivoli Brewery — hence the name. In 1974, Shur moved it to Kalamath Street, and it was purchased by current owner Doug Lundstrom in 1994, who added Brewery Bar III in Lone Tree in 2003. Last year, we got a scare when that outpost shut down, but Lundstrom assured panicked fans that the OG spot wouldn’t be going away any- time soon. And it’s a good thing, because the fi ery, red-hued green chile here is some of the best in town, especially when smoth- ering Den-Mex favorites like crispy chiles rellenos and Mexican hamburgers. Best Budget-Friendly Mexican Restaurant Taqueria La Familia 2642 West 32nd Avenue 303-433-2332 Taqueria La Familia falls into the “If you know, you know” category — and north Denver knows. This twelve-year-old lo- cation is owned by a father (Freddy) from Zacatecas and his sister, daughter and son, and it’s the family’s celebration of the vibrant fl avors of Mexico. You’ll fi nd a humble interior with just four tables, but if you’re looking for cozy, authentic food with lots of vegetarian and gluten-free op- tions, this is the perfect spot — especially on a sunny patio day or when you’re grab- bing food to go. You’ll always be greeted warmly with complimentary chips and two kinds of salsa while you peruse the menu of smothered burritos ($8.99), fajitas ($14.99), taco plates (fi ve for $11.99) and more, plus breakfast plates that start at $6.99. Best Tacos Árabes El Sampa Taqueria Bar 2321 West Evans Avenue 303-954-0972 elsampataqueriabar.com Family owned and operated, El Sampa Taqueria Bar has been serving authentic Mexican cuisine for twelve years. With an extensive menu of tacos, tortas, burritos and other Mexican staples, there’s some- thing here for everyone. But El Sampa also has something you don’t typically fi nd at other spots: the elusive tacos árabes. This specialty was created by Middle Eastern immigrants in Mexico and mirror the sha- warma tradition, made with thinly sliced, spit-roasted pork seasoned with cumin and oregano and a spicy chipotle sauce on a thick fl our tortilla that’s reminiscent of pita. We can’t get enough of them. Best Machetes Machetes Gourmet 12050 East 47th Avenue machetesgourmet.com Jossy Flores grew up in Zacatecas, Mexico, where she loved eating machetes — a long, folded masa shell crisped up on a fl at-top and fi lled with your choice of meat or veg- etables and cheese. It was a dish that she didn’t see any other food trucks doing, so she launched Machetes Gourmet. What truly makes these Mexico City-style ma- chetes special is the housemade masa shell, which is perfectly Food and Drink continued from page 90 continued on page 94 GETT Y IMAGES/ ALONZODESIGN
