It’s Taco Tuesday!
Here at DiningOut, we don’t merely like tacos—we’re obsessed. Tacos are our north, south, east, and west. Our working week, Sunday rest, noon, midnight, talk, and song—we dream in soft-shell, live for the crunch, and speak fluent carnitas. Tacos aren’t just a food, they’re a lifestyle
And we aren’t the only ones in town trying to live every day like it’s Taco Tuesday.
Bartaco – 2001 W. 32nd Ave. Denver
Bartaco, a neat little joint on W. 32nd Ave, might have you wondering if you wandered into a beach house—a minor identity crisis we’re all willing to overlook. Decked with wanderlust-worthy snapshots, it might even trick you into booking that overdue vacation.
They serve up what might be the world’s healthiest margarita: a concoction of pineapple, mango, spinach, and just enough spirit to keep things interesting. And forget “happy hour,” this place runs on High Tide, which we’re pretty sure is their code for “anytime is a good time for a drink.”
But we’re here for the tacos. Filled with everything from sesame ribeye to falafel—yes, falafel— these little wraps of joy have us rethinking the definition of a taco. And the secret squash blossom taco? Let’s just say, it’s a secret worth spilling.
Ghost Donkey – 1750 Wewatta St. #140 Denver
Hidden behind Union Station, Ghost Donkey shakes up Denver’s nightlife scene, and not just with its technicolor lighting. This eccentric mezcal and tequila bar serves up authentic Mexican hospitality with a side of irreverent fun.
From their impressive agave spirits selection to their Mezcal Monday deals, it’s clear Ghost Donkey plays as hard as it works. The bold menu stars concoctions like the huitlacoche-infused Mushroom Margarita and the Stealth Margarita, a sly mix of Cazadores blanco tequila and St. Germain with a chili punch.
Taco options? Simple: chicken or carnitas. No nonsense, just flavor. Because at Ghost Donkey, the party’s in your glass, not on your plate.
Blanco Cocina + Cantina – 4177 E. 9th Ave. Denver
Stroll through Denver’s 9+CO neighborhood, and you’ll stumble upon Blanco Cocina + Cantina, the embodiment of “Why limit happy to an hour?”
With Blanco’s $6 tacos, you might forget your mid-week existential crisis. Pick from carnitas, chicken pastor, or a rebelliously grilled avocado. The tacos may be street-style, but the experience is pure boulevard.
Handmade corn tortillas are heaped with slow-cooked BBQ, pickled onion, and crema fresca – because, why not? And the margaritas? They’re as fresh as Denver’s mountain air. Try the Jalapeño & Pineapple Margarita, a one-way ticket to flavor town with a spicy layover.
The patio at Blanco is always hosting a party, and you’re on the VIP list. So come on down, your margarita is waiting.
Machete Tequila + Tacos – Cherry Creek | Colfax | Union Station
Since 2011, Machete Tequila + Tacos has been Denver’s antidote to the humdrum. Their motto? ‘Everyone is welcome to get after it.’ And with their potent hand-crafted margaritas and street-cred worthy tacos, it’s hard not to.
The Taquizas deal is a DIY fiesta: choose a dozen tacos for $52, featuring the kind of fillings that’ll make you whisper sweet Spanish nothings: Arrachera, Al Pastor, Costilla. Feeling fancy? Go with the barbacoa, langosta, or quesabirria. Because who needs caviar when you’ve got braised lamb shank and grilled lobster tacos?
The margaritas come in all shapes and sizes. Classic, Cadillac, and even a ‘Day in Tulum’ – essentially a tequila mojito that’ll transport you to turquoise waters and endless parties. With three locations across Denver, you’re never far from a Machete moment.
Que Bueno Suerte – 1518 S. Pearl St. Denver
Rolling the dice on your next taco destination? Say Que Bueno Suerte! and hop over to a whimsical Mexican playground on Pearl Street in Platt Park. Combining ancient Mayan charm with modern panache, it’s as if Frida Kahlo decided to try her hand at interior design.
Happy hour runs, according to the website, from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, but we’ll chalk that up to a tequila-induced typo and bet they meant 3 p.m. Either way, taco time at Suerte is a choose-your-own-adventure book where every ending is delicious, and the taco of the day is only $2.50 a pop during happy hour, and house margs will run for $5.
There are only three margs on the menu—the Suerte, which includes Pierre Ferand Dry Curacao; the Jalapeño with, you guessed it, muddled jalapeño; and the Mezcal. Three guesses what sets that one apart.
As for the tacos, taco plates are served with cilantro lime rice and refried black beans. Along with your standard, there are creative options like the taco de pollo adobado—grilled chicken, pico de gallo, pineapple, fried cheese tortilla, chipotle aioli, cilantro—and the QuesaBirria. That one’s made with braised chili lamb, melted queso, cilantro, and onion, served with a side of lamb jus, and that’s one we’re totally dying to sink our teeth into.
Uno Mas Taqueria y Cantina – Pearl Street | 6th Avenue | Fort Collins
There’s no such thing as too many tacos—especially when they are farm-to-table fresh. Uno Mas Taqueria y Cantina declares war on mediocre tacos, arming itself with farm-to-table ingredients plucked straight from local soil. The secret weapon? An indoor greenhouse and farmland, ensuring an arsenal of fresh produce at their disposal. As for the meats, they endure an intensive smoking boot camp lasting up to 13 sweat-inducing hours.
Tuesday at Uno Mas is like your favorite rom-com: predictably delightful, always satisfying, and all about tacos. From 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., tacos get a $1 price nip and tuck. A standout? The Barbacoa, a marriage of smoked, slow-braised brisket and crispy potato that could easily headline its own cooking show. If that’s not your cup of pico de gallo, there are like a dozen other options to choose from. There’s the duck confit, a ancho chile-y-coffee-rubbed pork belly, and the Sea of Cortez, with chili-rubbed sea scallops and shrimp, fresh avocado, cilantro, ranchero salsa, and cotija cheese on Raquelitas organic white corn tortillas. Expert tip: order that one plus a carnitas for a surf-and-turf-in-a-tortilla-combo.
As for the margs, the Cilantro Jalapeño will spice up your life. With cilantro- and jalapeño-infused Exotico reposado, Cointreau, peach liqueur, agave nectar, and fresh lime, it’s quite the treat for those who can take the heat. And if you want uno mas before you head home, why not take the party with you? A liter of the traditional margarita to-go is yours for $56.
Cabrón Carbón Taqueria & Galeria – 1043 N. Broadway, Denver
This is the night owl of Denver’s taco scene. Open until 3 a.m. on weekends, this joint is the superhero answering your late-night taco distress calls. With a trompo-twirling, fresh tortilla-making, and a salsa bar so colorful it makes rainbows feel inadequate, Cabrón is part galleria, brimming with badass artwork local and Latino artwork adorning the walls and even sneaking into the bathrooms (not kidding, check them out).
Looking to feel like a “Cabrón” (a badass, in case you were wondering—or a male goat, depending on the inflection)? Try the Taco Tuesday deal where the pastor and chicken tacos are just $2 each, or treat yourself to a taco kit with your choice of protein.
On Taco Tuesdays, pastor and chicken tacos behave like stocks during a market crash, plummeting to $2 each. And if you have a “taco now, taco later” strategy, the taco kit—with a dozen corn tortillas, a pound of meat, and five salsa bar goodies—is your holy grail. Ranging from $28–$46, depending on your protein of choice, it’s the taco gift that keeps on giving.
About The Author
Steph Wilson
Steph Wilson is a writer, editor, and creative maximalist in Denver. She makes magazines for a living and throws color around the world like confetti for fun.
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