The vibrancy of chef Dana Rodriguez electrifies everything around her, earning her the self-proclaimed nickname “Loca” and endearing her to staff, diners, chefs, and in this case, journalists as well.
For those who don’t have the pleasure of getting a dose of Rodriguez personally, it’s easy to sense her joy in all three of her RiNo restaurants. Each place offers something different, but with the same dedication to quality, flavor, and atmosphere. For example the family-style serving at Work & Class (2500 Larimer St., Denver) the first place Rodriguez opened in 2014. Next came her Latin American tapas spot Super Mega Bien (1260 25th St., Denver) in 2018, followed by the now shuttered Cantina Loca. Shortly after the chef closed her Mexican and tequila concept, she took over the former Il Posto spot in RiNo and launched Carne (2601 Larimer St., Denver), a globally-influenced steakhouse, this year.
Of course Rodriguez also has the title of executive chef of Casa Bonita (6715 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood) under her belt. Though that project itself is a bit loca. While she helped define and work out the food program, the dishes themselves speak more to the Casa cafeteria of old rather than the chef’s raw talent.
Though the Chihuahua, Mexico native spends most of her time in the restaurants, when she leaves for the day she doesn’t head home. No, Loca goes out to eat. Often she gathers with her family at local Mexican restaurants, or can be found nibbling cheese with her boyfriend at a wine bar. There are also the places nearby in RiNo she likes to go for a quick meal to fuel her, and to give her a break from her own restaurants.
“So it depends on the day how busy you are,” said Rodriguez. “If I want to have a nice romantic dinner, if I just want to go and be alone, or be family driven, I have so many places that I always go.”
We sat down with the chef to find out what and how she eats and her favorite spots to dig in. Warning, you will want to drive south and indulge in all these places.
Family Time With Chef Dana Rodriguez
Family is huge for the chef, and she celebrates with her daughters and grandkids by ordering a feast at her favorite Mexican restaurants. Often they go to Los Dos Potrillos Cocina y Cantina (100 E. 120th Ave., Northglenn) where they order the sharable taco platters with different proteins.
“That’s our celebration, like birthdays, because you can do big, big tables and stuff like that,” said the chef. Just no margaritas. While she enjoyed a good margarita in the past, because Rodriguez now manages diabetes, she is more likely to relax with a little shot of tequila instead.
She also brings her crew to the family-owned Mexican restaurant 3 Margaritas. Just as Rodriguez came from Mexico and eventually opened her own restaurants, the founders of 3 Margaritas did the same. Nicolas and Manual Morales started the business and they have keeping management and ownership of the dozen-plus restaurants all in the family.
“Dos Potrillos is amazing, and I mean, they’re neck and neck with 3 Margaritas,” said Rodriguez. “Just it’s kind of the same but different in their own way.”
Date Night
A small but mighty place on Rodriguez’s date night list is Tai Tai Japanese (5078 E. Hampden Ave., Denver). Sushi Sasa Owner Wayne Conwell opened the shop in 2020, with only a handful of tables and a cozy chef’s counter. When Rodriguez visits with her boyfriend, they sit at the counter and enjoy the feeling of being cooked for and taken care of.
Rodriguez also loves Vin Rouge (4412 Yates St., Denver), a small wine bar in the Berkeley neighborhood. Here the space feels intimate and sleek, perfect for a date or even a solo glass of wine.
“Jenn [Feinstein] is the owner and she does amazing charcuterie for you and then they always have really good options, like gluten free crackers,” swooned Rodriquez. “And then she knows me so well, like, you don’t eat the strawberry preserves because they’re sweet, so I’m going to give you this mustard. It’s so cool when people start to know you, and I love that place a lot.”
The chef also enjoys Mehak India’s Aroma (250 Steele St., Denver) in Cherry Creek. This small, underground spot makes, she said, the best butter chicken around. Loca goes for more Indian food in the Denver Tech Center (DTC) area at Naan Grill (10639 E. Briarwood Ave., Centennial).
“Only Indian people go in there, which he means is got to be amazing,” said the chef, confirming that yes, it was delicious. “Everything there is so traditional and it’s not a fancy restaurant at all. But the flavors are the most unique you can have.”
Loca’s Staple Spots
Breakfast is one meal the chef never wants to cook, which may be the reason none of her restaurants do brunch service. When she goes out for the meal, savory wins over sweet, and Doug’s Diner (18595 Mainstreet, Parker) in Parker is a place she frequents with her partner.
“When it’s just me I do my own thing and, you know, I go around the neighborhood and I like to try new restaurants,” said the chef. “But also, I keep going back to Lao Wang Noodle House (945 S. Federal Blvd., Denver), one of my favorites for fucking ever.”
Marco’s Coal Fired (2129 Larimer St., Denver) is another frequent stop. Not only can she walk there from her restaurants, but no one recognizes the Casa Bonita chef. Her go-to order of limoncello wings and a glass of wine gives her the energy she needs to get back to work. Also nearby, Rodriguez makes a point to visit Hop Alley (3500 Larimer St., Denver), another one of her staples.
“I go and get a little kick of spicy things, and then I can come back [to her own restaurants],” she said. “They’re fast and efficient, and that’s very important to me because I live a life very fast.”
Also on the fast side, but more fast-casual, FelFel Mediterranean (4401 S. Tamarac Pkwy., Denver) in the DTC makes food quick and fresh with the ease of a touch screen. The usual order features the chicken, Greek salad, bread, cauliflower, and, according to Loca, the best hummus in town.
Dana Rodriguez Finds Inspiration
Carne includes different types of meats prepared in the style of various countries including Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Italy, and France. To pinpoint her menu, Rodriguez visited a lot of local steakhouses. One place that really stood out was Steakhouse No. 316 in Boulder (1922 13th St., Boulder) and its show-like Caesar salad.
“To me it’s part of education and learning at every restaurant that you go to,” said Rodriguez. “You get inspired to do your own business and as a person you learn a lot more.”
With that said, Loca expressed her constant desire to learn and grow as a chef, and eating out is a big part of it.
See what other chefs have shared their recommendations, the list includes personalities such as Kim Moyle of The Brown Palace and Troy Guard of Guard and Grace (and more).
