Tracking down the best taco in Denver leads you to an unexpected bright orange house on Alameda Avenue where authenticity trumps everything.
La Calle Taqueria Y Carnitas serves street tacos that earned recognition as one of the top 100 taco joints in the country from Yelp in 2022.
This isn’t a trendy spot with Instagram-worthy decor and mediocre food.
The restaurant built its reputation the old-fashioned way through word-of-mouth and consistently outstanding tacos that keep customers coming back daily.
What Makes La Calle the Best Taco in Denver
The secret lies in owner Hugo Santana’s unwavering commitment to authenticity.
Each taco uses double-wrapped fresh corn tortillas measuring about 6 inches in diameter and generous portions of perfectly seasoned meat.
The preparation style mirrors what you’d find on street corners throughout Mexico City, where Santana grew up craving these exact flavors.
At $3.49 per street taco, La Calle offers tremendous value for the quality and portion size.
The magic happens right before your eyes as the kitchen team prepares each taco fresh to order.
Al pastor spins on a vertical rotisserie, getting sliced directly onto tortillas with characteristic caramelized edges.
Carnitas arrive tender and juicy after slow-cooking in their own fat until perfectly succulent.
The lengua (beef tongue) gets braised until it practically melts on contact.
Awards That Prove It’s the Best Taco in Denver
La Calle earned multiple Best of Denver Awards from Westword, including Best Tacos in 2021, 2019, and 2015, plus Best Taqueria in 2013.
Denver Post featured La Calle in their Staff Favorites series, praising how the restaurant prioritizes simplicity over unnecessary frills.
5280 Magazine highlighted the restaurant as one of the best spots for sit-down birria service, praising the thick quesabirria that comes in stacks of three with consommé on the side.
The Story Behind Denver’s Best Taco in Denver
Owner Hugo Santana, a Mexico City native, opened La Calle in 2012 after missing the taquerias he grew up with back home.
His vision was simple yet powerful: bring authentic street tacos to Denver using fresh ingredients and traditional preparation methods.
What started as Santana’s food truck operation on Federal Boulevard in 2004 eventually evolved into this permanent location.
The restaurant quickly gained traction among locals who craved genuine Mexican flavors.
The transformation from a quiet neighborhood spot to a citywide destination happened organically through excellent food and genuine hospitality.
Santana chose this spot on Alameda Avenue to avoid having a fast food restaurant as a neighbor, reflecting his commitment to maintaining authenticity.
How the Best Taco in Denver Gets Made
Customers order at the counter, then watch as the kitchen team prepares each taco fresh to order.
This transparency builds trust and showcases the quality ingredients going into every dish.
The meat selection reads like a tour through Mexico’s diverse taco traditions.
What truly elevates the experience is the salsa bar.
After receiving your tacos, you customize them with fresh cilantro, diced onions, pickled jalapeños, radishes, and pickled habanero red onions.
The salsa selection ranges from mild to volcanic, with the red varieties packing serious heat that regulars rave about.
One reviewer on Yelp mentioned the hot sauce warning: “the hot is hot!!”
Why True Taco Enthusiasts Choose This Spot
La Calle earned its reputation by doing one thing exceptionally well.
The restaurant focuses exclusively on authentic Mexican street food without trying to be everything to everyone.
This specialization allows them to perfect their craft.
Staff members remain friendly and patient, especially helpful when English-speaking customers navigate the extensive menu.
The bilingual menu makes ordering straightforward for everyone.
Service moves quickly despite the constant crowd, with food arriving hot and fresh within minutes of ordering.
Longtime manager Eduardo Flores runs operations across Santana’s restaurant empire, which also includes Las Tortugas torta shops throughout the metro area.
His steady hand keeps quality consistent even during the busiest hours.
Customers travel from across Denver and beyond to experience these tacos.
Visitors from Omaha, Boston, and other states specifically mention returning whenever they’re back in town.
Denver’s Favorite Best Taco in Denver Menu Items
Food Highlights
- Birria de Chivo (Goat Birria): This specialty showcases tender goat meat slow-braised in a rich, tomatoey consommé with authentic spices. The gamey flavor of the goat gets balanced perfectly by the slightly spicy broth. Many customers claim this is some of the best birria they’ve encountered anywhere, with the meat practically falling apart. The accompanying consommé works equally well as a dipping sauce or standalone soup. 🥘
- Tacos Al Pastor: Marinated pork gets shaved fresh from the vertical rotisserie called a trompo, creating those coveted caramelized edges. The meat arrives with hints of pineapple sweetness and warm spices. Reviewers consistently rank al pastor among their top choices. The preparation method stays true to Mexican tradition, resulting in authentic flavors that transport you straight to Mexico City streets. 🔥
- Lengua (Beef Tongue) Tacos: This tender cut receives proper respect at La Calle through careful braising until incredibly soft. The texture surprises first-timers who expect something chewy but discover melt-in-your-mouth richness instead. Multiple customers specifically call out lengua as their favorite option. The meat portion proves generous, sometimes spilling out after the first bite. Elite Yelp reviewers recommend topping it with pickled jalapeños and variable salsas. 👅
- Carne Asada Tacos: Grilled beef arrives perfectly seasoned with no need for excessive toppings. The meat gets cooked to tender perfection while maintaining a slight char. This classic preparation lets the quality of the beef shine through. One reviewer noted the asada was “super moist, tender, and flavorful” at $3.49 per street taco. The straightforward approach highlights what makes great Mexican street food work. 🥩
- Quesabirria: These cheese-stuffed birria tacos come in stacks of three with consommé for dipping. The thick tortillas get griddled until crispy, creating a satisfying crunch. Melted cheese combines with juicy birria meat for an indulgent experience. The dish arrives piping hot and makes for a messy but rewarding meal. One DoorDash review proclaimed “the quesabirria always steals the show!” 🧀
- Cochinita Pibil: This Yucatan-style slow-roasted pork showcases regional Mexican cooking at its finest. The pork gets marinated in citrus and achiote before cooking, resulting in vibrant orange meat with tangy, earthy flavors. The preparation requires time and patience, but the payoff comes through in every bite. This less common taco option gives adventurous eaters a chance to explore beyond the standard offerings. 🍊
Atmosphere
The restaurant occupies a converted orange house that catches your eye immediately when driving down Alameda. 📍
Inside, the casual setup features counter service where you order and pay before finding a seat at one of several tables.
Telenovelas play on the TV screens while Mexican music creates a lively soundtrack.
The vibe stays authentically casual with paper towels serving as napkins and no pretense about being a fancy establishment.
Dogs get welcomed outside, and the space works well for families, groups, and solo diners alike.
Parking proves simple with ample spaces in the side lot and on the street.
The moderate noise level and divey charm make you feel like you’ve stepped into a neighborhood taqueria in Mexico City.
Bottom Line
Visit La Calle Taqueria Y Carnitas for the best taco in Denver featuring authentic preparation methods, generous portions at affordable prices, an extensive salsa bar with fresh toppings, and genuine Mexican hospitality.
The restaurant has earned multiple awards and national recognition for consistently excellent street tacos. 💯
Address: La Calle Taqueria Y Carnitas
1565 W Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80223
📞 (720) 583-6586