These days, dining out can feel like a splurge, but you don’t always need to shell out serious cash, especially when a taco is involved. In addition to happy hour deals, we love a daily special and a good reason to gather the crew for a delicious meal.
Every Tuesday, several eateries across town offer $1 street tacos, discounts on upscale Mexican fare, and more sizzlin’ savings that might even beat your grocery bill. Celebrate your savvy spending with a round of margaritas at these Denver restaurants with Taco Tuesday specials.
Get Down With Taco Tuesday Deals
El Camino Community Tavern
Set within Highland Square, El Camino offers a killer Tuesday special with six taco varieties priced at $1 from open to close. Order options such as coriander and orange-braised carnitas, shredded brisket simmered in red chile, and seasoned tempeh. All tacos are served on corn tortillas with diced white onion and cilantro. Amp up your toppings with $3 add-ons like pico de gallo and grilled pineapple with pickled red onion, and take advantage of $5 happy hour margaritas from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and 9 to 11 p.m. 3628 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, elcaminotavern.com
Luchador Taco & More
Founded by Mexico City native and Chopped champion Zuri Resendiz, Luchador began as a local food truck and quickly gained a dedicated fanbase. Its brick-and-mortar debuted in Whittier last year and every Tuesday, the neighborhood eatery offers a trio of tacos for $9. Choose from a classic selection: carne asada, al pastor, birria served with consommé, and calabacitas topped with fresh guacamole. 2030 E. 28th Ave., Denver, luchadortacoandmore.com
Kachina Cantina
Every Tuesday from 3 to 10 p.m., this Southwest eatery within the Dairy Block microdistrict serves up three varieties of corn tortilla tacos for just $3. Select from chicken tinga topped with cream and cilantro, tequila carnitas smothered in salsa verde, and cauliflower with a vibrant cilantro-forward mole. For an extra dollar, upgrade each option to a chewy frybread taco base and complete the meal with a house margarita, which is priced at $6 during Kachina Cantina’s daily happy hour between 3 and 6 p.m. 1890 Wazee St., Denver, kachinadenver.com
La Loteria
Set along South Broadway, La Loteria is known for its Acapulco-style street tacos. Sample its signature al pastor featuring rotisserie marinated pork, charred onion, pineapple, and cilantro at $2 off on Tuesdays. Other taco creations are discounted by $1, including its tinga de pollo with chipotle-roasted chicken; crispy camarones with Pacifico-battered shrimp; and popular fried avocado taco topped with cotija cheese, chipotle crema, and roasted corn and black bean salsa. 42 S. Broadway, Denver, laloteriadenver.com
My Neighbor Felix
With locations in LoHi, Boulder, Centennial, and Colorado Springs, you’re likely never far from this Taco “Twosday” deal. From 3 p.m. to close, get your choice of a 16-ounce margarita and two tacos for just $15. Options include its pollo rostizado made with local organic chicken; the Americano featuring ground beef, lettuce, pico de gallo, and cheese; as well as a vegan version of the latter made with Impossible beef. My Neighbor Felix also offers its cochinita pibil, a Top Taco food festival winner starring slow-braised pork, citrus cabbage, spicy xnipec salsa, chicharonnes, and charred habanero. Multiple locations, myneighborfelix.com
Dos Santos
Enjoy a two-for-one special every Tuesday at Dos Santos, which has locations in City Park West, Castle Rock, and Colorado Springs. The deal applies to its $4.95 chicken tinga taco topped with guacamole, red pepper sauce, onion, and cotija cheese; as well as its $4.95 porky taco featuring guac, poblano sauce, and pickled onions. To round out the all-day deal, $12 house margs are also buy one, get one, and even cheaper during happy hour, with pricing discounted to $7 from 3 to 6 p.m. Multiple locations, dossantostacos.com
Wild Taco
Stop by Wild Taco in Berkeley or Governors’ Park for its Tuesday special: $11 for a classic margarita, chips and salsa, plus two hardshell tacos with your choice of protein. Selections include chicken tinga, pork carnitas in smokey morita sauce, Korean bulgogi beef, and rajas (a vegetarian option featuring roasted poblano strips, calabacitas, corn, and creamy queso). Even better, these eateries rank among the most beautiful restaurants in Denver with pops of pink and lively summertime patios. Multiple locations, wildtacodenver.com
Sarahi’s Kitchen
At this family-owned Mexican eatery on East Colfax, all corn tortilla tacos are discounted to $1.75 on Tuesdays. The selection includes carne asada, cesina, chicken, shrimp, and fish, all traditionally served with onions and cilantro. Make it a meal with rice and beans on the side ($2.50 per), plus cinnamon sugar-dusted churros ($2.75) for dessert. Bonus, Sarahi’s just won first place at Top Taco this year. 8135 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, sarahiskitchen.com
La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal
From warming pozole to signature street tacos, this Michelin Bib Gourmand offers an impressive menu in the Ballpark District. Given La Diabla’s location and acclaimed reputation, it’s no wonder that Tuesdays draw a crowd. Seatings are limited to ninety minutes, but that’s plenty of time to indulge in half-priced mezcal and $4 tacos. Stand-outs among its thirteen options include the huachinango made with red snapper, pineapple butter, and citrus slaw; the chuleta featuring pork chop, nopales, and salsa negra; as well as the chapulín showcasing crunchy grasshoppers, guacamole, and salsa roja. 2233 Larimer St., Denver, ladiabladenver.com
The Irish Rover Pub
Corned beef, shepherd’s pie, and… tacos? You wouldn’t guess it, but The Irish Rover Pub offers one of the best Taco Tuesday deals in town. From 3 to 10 p.m., all six varieties are discounted to $1 each. Selections include steak, chicken, pork, and sautéed veggies, all topped with pico de gallo, cotija cheese, and roasted tomatillo salsa; along with crispy cod and shrimp tacos. Swap the Guinness for a draft margarita, then enjoy your dinner from one of the city’s most scenic rooftops. 54 S. Broadway, Denver, theirishroverpub.com
Adobo Restaurant & Bar
New Mexican and Filipino flavors come together at this West Highland eatery, which offers up to $2 off more than twenty taco creations on both Tuesdays and Thursdays. Signatures include smoked carnitas, a Top Taco people’s choice award-winner featuring cilantro, lime fig, and chicharron. Fans also love its chicken adobo birria tacos and prime brisket barbacoa, plus chile-smothered selections served on fresh fry bread. End your meal on a sweet note with honey buttered sopapillas or a scoop of ube ice cream. 3109 N. Federal Blvd., Denver, adobodenver.com
SOL Mexican Cocina
Coastal flavors transport guests at this upscale chain, which has a sleek location in Cherry Creek North. Three o’clock marks the start of its Tuesday celebrations, which include taco and tequila specials, plus live music beginning at 6 p.m. For the best deal, order its $15 Baja Bundle including a house margarita and two street tacos. Options include chicken, carnitas, beer-battered fish, and black bean with sweet potatoes; these can also be ordered à la carte for $4 each. Shrimp taquitos ($7), spicy ceviche served with beet chips ($13), and more vibrant dishes appear on SOL’s discounted menu. 200 Columbine St., Denver, solcocina.com
Mezcal
Every Tuesday from open to close, Mezcal near City Park offers a deal too good to pass up: $9 platters of rice, beans, and your choice of three street tacos. Select from carne asada, chorizo, and slow-braised barbacoa with spicy chile de arbol crema; along with zesty fish tacos and Korean pork belly served with pickled red onions, jalapeño, and cabbage slaw. All options can also be ordered à la carte for half price and pair perfectly with a flight of mezcal. 3230 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, mezcalcolorado.com
Adelitas Cocina Y Cantina
Inspired by Mexico’s carnitas capital, Adelitas infuses Michoacán flavors into many of its dishes. Taco Tuesday is a great time to sample a segment of the menu, with most of its seven taco specials priced at just $2 per. Savor its signature carnitas featuring tender braised pork cooked with lard and spices, pico de gallo, and salty cotija cheese. Other options include shredded chicken, a sautéed veggie blend, and al pastor topped with diced red onion and pineapple. Outposts appear on South Broadway and in Edgewater. Multiple locations, adelitasco.com
Palenque Cocina Y Agaveria
One of the best places to dine in Littleton, Palenque discounts most of its tacos to $2 on Tuesdays. Savor carne asada tacos with queso fresco; chipotle-spiced chicken tinga; and a vegan take on al pastor featuring cauliflower, mushrooms, spinach, potato purée, pineapple, and crispy shallots. All are served with its signature roasted tomatillo salsa. Round out your meal with a house margarita, which costs just $8 during the daily happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. 2609 Main St., Littleton, palenquecya.com
Happy Hour Taco Deals
Xiquita Restaurante y Bar
Helmed by chefs Erasmo Casiano and Rene Gonzalez Mendez, Xiquita offers a remarkable happy hour menu with exclusive taco creations. Priced at $6 each, the selection includes al pastor, flavorful carnitas, beef tongue barbacoa, and a mix of chorizo and carne asada; plus a $5 vegetarian taco topped with poblanos, mushrooms, Oaxaca cheese, and crema. Sample these and other Mexican street foods at this Cap Hill eatery Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. 500 E. 19th Ave., Denver, xiquita.co
Machete Tequila + Tacos
Happy hour at this homegrown chain includes $3 tacos with options like its arrachera made with sirloin and avocado salsa verde; al pastor marinated in guajillo chile; classic chicken tinga; and a vegan mix of grilled sweet potatoes, carrots, poblano, and corn purée on a hibiscus tortilla. Pair these with an $8 margarita or a festive $5 shot of house-infused pineapple tequila. These deals are available weekdays from 2 to 5 p.m. at its Union Station location, 2 to 6 p.m. at its Cherry Creek restaurant, and 4 to 6 p.m. at the outpost on Colfax. Multiple locations, machetedenver.com
Tamayo
Located on Larimer Square, this recently renovated restaurant from chef Richard Sandoval discounts five taco varieties during its weekday happy hour. Available from 3 to 5 p.m., the menu includes battered mahi-mahi tacos, adobo chicken, and savory al pastor, each priced at $4. The selection also features a $5 carne asada creation with crispy costra-style cheese, plus a $3 jackfruit tinga taco. Take advantage of other deals when visiting, like $5 cervezas and $8 margaritas made with citrus-lemongrass, strawberry-basil, and other house-infused tequilas. 1400 Larimer St., Denver, tamayodenver.com
Chuey Fu’s Latin-Asian Grub
Inspired by Mexican and Korean cuisine, the happy hour menu at Chuey Fu’s includes $3 street tacos topped with your choice of ancho chili chicken and sesame peanut sauce, Korean beef with chipotle sauce, and char shu pork with a zingy cucumber wasabi. Complement your meal with other discounted bites, plus $1 off beer and $2 off signature cocktails. Deals at this Lincoln Park joint are offered daily from 4 to 7 p.m. 1131 Santa Fe Dr., Denver, chueyfus.com
Los Chingones
Founded by chef Troy Guard, Los Chingones is a local favorite for edgy ambiance and modern Mexican fare. Stop into the RiNo location for the late-night menu featuring $4 tacos from 9 p.m. to midnight on Wednesdays through Sundays. The selection includes spicy birria, pork pastor with braised pineapple, cotija cheese, and carne asada, plus an adobo chicken taco topped with guajillo ranch, chingon slaw, and a crunch of Fuego Takis. A house margarita for $6 and other drink specials add reasons to visit. 2463 Larimer St., Denver, loschingonesmexican.com
