4 taquerias to compare in Denver
Short answer
Denver offers four traditions within the city. La Calle serves carnitas and a long list of meats on Alameda; El Taco de Mexico is a counter-service institution on Santa Fe Drive; Tacos Selene opens for breakfast and maintains straightforward pricing; Kiké’s grew from a birria truck into a Highland restaurant.
4 restaurants with different strengths
La Calle Taqueria Y Carnitas is the carnitas-and-variety stop, with tongue, head meat, tripe, and other fillings and more than 1,600 reviews. Google Maps showed 4.5/5 from 1,619 reviews when checked on September 16, 2026.
El Taco De Mexico is the historic, highest-volume institution, known as much for green chile and burritos as for tacos cooked behind the counter. Google Maps showed 4.3/5 from 2,956 reviews when checked on September 16, 2026.
Tacos Selene Denver is the early breakfast and quick-meal choice, with al pastor, carne asada, carnitas, and a salsa bar. Google Maps showed 4.5/5 from 627 reviews when checked on September 16, 2026.
Kiké's Red Tacos is the highest-rated specialist, a business that moved from truck to restaurant without abandoning birria, quesabirria, and consommé. Google Maps showed 4.6/5 from 1,668 reviews when checked on September 16, 2026.
How to choose
Choose La Calle for carnitas and a range of cuts, El Taco de Mexico for green chile, burritos, and a historic institution, Selene for breakfast and straightforward tacos from early morning, or Kiké’s for birria, quesabirria, and consommé. Each has a clear profile, so specialty matters more than a tenth of a rating point.
Before visiting
Google ratings and review counts are dated snapshots. Menus, prices, hours, reservation policies, and locations can change. Confirm current details on the official website and Google Maps before traveling.
There is no universal winner: choose by specialty, atmosphere, location, and meal type, then recheck variable details before visiting.
Restaurants to compare
These restaurants match the question. Check menus, prices and recent reviews before visiting.
A West Alameda Avenue taqueria serving carnitas, al pastor, tongue, head meat, tripe, and an extensive list of taco fillings.
Carnitas, street tacos, and a range of cuts
A Santa Fe Drive institution with visible counter cooking, green chile, tacos, burritos, eggs, and Mexican plates.
Green chile, tacos, burritos, and counter cooking
The Santa Fe Drive location of a local taqueria serving breakfast from 8 a.m., al pastor, carne asada, carnitas, and a salsa bar.
Breakfast tacos, al pastor, carne asada, and a salsa bar
A family-run West 38th Avenue restaurant that began as a truck, specializing in birria, quesabirria, consommé, and red tacos.
Birria, quesabirria, and consommé
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of La Calle Taqueria Y Carnitas ↗
Primary source
La Calle Taqueria Y Carnitas · Accessed September 16, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of El Taco De Mexico ↗
Primary source
El Taco De Mexico · Accessed September 16, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Tacos Selene Denver ↗
Primary source
Tacos Selene Denver · Accessed September 16, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Kiké's Red Tacos ↗
Primary source
Kiké's Red Tacos · Accessed September 16, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Google Maps listing for La Calle Taqueria Y Carnitas ↗
Community source
Google Maps · Accessed September 16, 2026
Direct check of rating, review count, operating status, and address; variable data.
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Google Maps listing for El Taco De Mexico ↗
Community source
Google Maps · Accessed September 16, 2026
Direct check of rating, review count, operating status, and address; variable data.
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Google Maps listing for Tacos Selene Denver ↗
Community source
Google Maps · Accessed September 16, 2026
Direct check of rating, review count, operating status, and address; variable data.
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Google Maps listing for Kiké's Red Tacos ↗
Community source
Google Maps · Accessed September 16, 2026
Direct check of rating, review count, operating status, and address; variable data.