Tacos have become an undeniable staple thanks to the simple tortilla base, which offers limitless possibilities when it comes to fillings and flavors. From diverse proteins to unique sauces to different levels of heat, each taco offers a DIY experience.
What makes one taco shop stand out from another comes down to the quality of ingredients thanks to the purveyors, dedication behind the recipe, and searching for the right flavor components. For example, during DiningOut Events’ Top Taco festival the best ingredients get sourced. Buckhead Pride provides top-quality proteins. And on the tortilla side, Rich Schneider from the decades-old Raquelitas has been a steadfast supporter, supplying the taco base year after year.
With new taco spots constantly popping up across Denver, we found five under-the-radar spots. Whether it’s rooftops, food halls, or trucks on the street, these places bring something fresh to the taco scene.
McDevitt Taco Supply
Let’s start up high with McDevitt Taco Supply, perched on the rooftop of Vīb Hotel by Best Western Denver RiNo since 2022. Now with two brick-and-mortar locations, Bradford McDevitt first launched his business in 2011 as a taco cart on Boulder’s Pearl Street. Since then, he has expanded with additional carts, a catering service, and the stand-alone restaurants, going beyond Boulder.
Steering away from traditional fare, a blend of local tastes and hints of McDevitt’s family roots in Chicago infuse the menu. He describes the tortilla itself as, “a canvas on which I can just paint whatever I want,” letting each taco tell its own story. For a view of the city and the changing mountain colors, head to the eighth floor of Vīb any day from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Try one of the seven tacos, like the Green Chilies & Chicken made with mild Hatch chilies, offered as a single ($5.50) or in a three-taco plate ($15). Pair it with The McDevitt Margarita ($13.75) for a complete meal. 3560 Brighton Blvd., Denver, and 4800 Baseline Rd., Boulder, mcdevitttacosupply.com
Tacos el Metate
Since 2017 Tacos el Metate has been bringing Denver a taste of authenticity with a menu known for fish and shrimp tacos. Starting with an Aurora location, the restaurant expanded in June 2020 to a second spot near Denver University. Now, it’s nearing the debut of a third location in Arvada, continuing to make a mark on the local taco scene.
The menu offers over 15 taco varieties, priced around $3.50. Choose from more than 10 protein options that can be enjoyed in burritos, quesadillas, and as a torta, which is a Mexican sandwich on bolillo bread. Regional staples like enchiladas, pozole, and other specialties also feature on the menu, as well as aguas frescas, averaging $4.75.
However, despite the large menu, the standout here is the fish taco, topped with Denver’s best crema sauce, balanced perfectly with cabbage, tomato, cilantro, onion, and salsa. Tacos el Metate is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. depending on the location and day of the week. 1742 S Chambers Rd., Aurora, and 2060 S. University Blvd., Denver, tacoselmetateco.com
Taco Bron
Led by Chef Jonathan Tejada, Taco Bron began from humble roots, sparked by the chef’s high school sales of homemade guacamole to classmates. With a strong history of business ownership and love of cooking in the family, Tejada and his father Manny teamed up to share their talents through a food truck. The name Taco Bron plays on the Spanish word cabron, which captures the father-son-dou’s essence of serving ‘badass’ tacos that balance authentic Mexican flavors with a creative twist.
The taco truck gained a lot of buzz in 2023, enough to it a spot on Food Network’s Food Truck Prize Fight. That same year, the family expanded to a brick-and-mortar location in Downtown Denver. Stop by Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to try customer favorites like the Al Pastor taco, marinated and topped with pineapple, onions, and cilantro ($4.50), or any of the Baja-inspired Signature Tacos ($7.00), available individually or by the plate. 950 17th St.,, Denver, eltacobron.com
Carrera’s Tacos
Another powerhouse family duo, brothers Ryan and Josh Carrera, came from San Diego to Denver in 2017. Their journey started in grocery stores and kitchens, where they built up culinary experience. In fact, Josh spent a formative year under Yasu Kizaki at Sushi Den. Along the way, the brothers realized that few places outside California captured the essence of Southern California Mexican cuisine.
In 2019, the brothers launched a food truck, and it quickly gained a following, especially after winning at Chicken Fight! for a fried chicken taco the same year. When COVID restrictions in 2020 brought a demand for food trucks, Carrera’s found a loyal following in Greenwood Village. This led them to open a brick-and-mortar spot in April, 2022.
Now, the restaurant features signature offerings such as the Cali Burrito ($10-$16), filled with fries, protein, cheese, crema, and salsa. True to SoCal style, fries are a highlight here, available as Asada Fries ($15 half size or $22 full size) or Street Fries ($12 to $23), loaded with a choice of protein, cheese, jalapeño queso, salsa, crema, pickled peppers, radish, cilantro, and cotija cheese. Stop by Monday through Saturday for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or dinner from 4 to 9 p.m. 7939 E Arapahoe Rd., Greenwood Village, carrerastacos.com
Chulo Taco at Freedom Street Social
Chef Oscar Padilla, born in Los Angeles and raised in Mexico, developed a love for traditional Mexican cooking inspired by his grandmother’s rich, flavorful dishes. After studying in Mexico City and building his skills at the CDMX spot The Club de Banqueros, he became known for bold flavors and raw culinary talent.
Padilla’s career took him to New York, where he impressed chef Richard Sandoval (locally known for Tamayo and Toro). The relationship sparked collaborations worldwide, from Costa Rica to Dubai. Padilla further showed his skill by winning Food Network’s Chopped, and now the chef brings his kitchen prowess to Chulo Taco, located inside Freedom Street Social in Arvada.
Chulo Taco offers six different protein options for tacos, priced between $4.50 and $5.50, but the real excitement is in the salsa lineup. Ranging from a mild cilantro ranch, humorously labeled “for crybabies,” the heat scale climbs through four more levels, ending at the spicy mango habanero. Complement tacos with sides such as the Mexican White Rice ($4) and Charro Beans ($4). Chulo Taco is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 15177 Candelas Pkwy., Arvada, freedomstreetsocial.com
Sponsored by Buckhead Pride
