Colorado Springs Restaurant Guide

The brightly painted walls give the narrow row of booths an inviting feel. The servers amble around in worn jeans, plaid shirts and cowboy boots giving you the feeling of being in a truly authentic Mexican restaurant in its homeland.

The cuisine is inspired by the cuisine of Jalisco, the home state of the owner and chef, Jose Flores.

He lets diners know they are in for something authentic by placing a dish of spicy pickled carrots and jicama on each table when diners arrive. There are hot chips and homemade salsa, too, but the spicy pickles are a nice, light alternative.

All of the menu items are family owned dishes brought to you from Jose's hometown. Many of his most popular creations feature the slow-cooked pork in a red Chile and vinegar salsa cooled by a unique avocado salsa made fresh daily in house. Think of it as the Jaliscan cousin of El Taco Rey's pork-avocado burrito.

Also good, and difficult find downtown, is the carne asada plate. The supremely thin-sliced flank steak is coated with a mild red Chile dry rub and sizzled on the grill, then served with rice, beans and tortillas.

The steak is at once moist and leathery, and delicious with a juicy Pico de Gallo dice of onions, tomatoes and chiles.

Downtown foodies who take the time to try the incredible dishes on the menu will be rewarded and likely become regulars. This is truly an experience that is one worth taking!!