Deep in the southern suburbs of Denver, tucked inside a Lone Tree strip mall, lives one of Colorado’s most exciting and authentic Peruvian dining experiences.
Don’t let the humble exterior fool you — The Red Llama is the kind of place that surprises you the moment you walk through the door, transports you somewhere far away, and leaves you already planning your next visit before you’ve even paid the bill. 🦙🌶️
How The Red Llama Won Lone Tree’s Hearts
The story of The Red Llama is, at its heart, a love story — and locals can feel every bit of it in every dish that comes out of that kitchen.
Chef Jhordano grew up in the district of La Victoria in Lima, Peru, where he discovered his passion for Peruvian cuisine back in 2005 and went on to earn his culinary degree.
After spending five formative years working under renowned chef Adolfo Perret at Punta Sal Cevicheria in Miraflores, one of Lima’s most celebrated seafood institutions, Jhordano met his future wife, Marisol — a Denver native raised with deep Peruvian roots whose father ran a beloved Mexican restaurant in Capitol Hill for over 40 years.
Together, they were a perfect match, both in life and in the restaurant business. 🍽️❤️
After five years of successfully building their brand through catering, the duo finally made the leap and opened The Red Llama as a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Lone Tree — and the community hasn’t looked back since. 🎉
What makes this place truly special isn’t just the food — it’s the soul behind it.
The restaurant gets so busy, in fact, that regulars will tell you: arrive early or expect a wait — because by early evening, the place is reliably packed. 🕔🔥
It’s the kind of hidden gem Lone Tree restaurant that word-of-mouth built, one plate of Lomo Saltado at a time.
Peru has been voted the World’s Best Culinary Destination ten times, and The Red Llama makes a compelling case for why that title is so well-deserved — right here in Colorado.
Every dish is made fresh and from scratch, using authentic Peruvian ingredients, and the menu rotates daily specials so that even the most frequent regulars always have something new to discover. 🌟
That combination of family legacy, culinary excellence, and genuine hospitality is exactly why this mom-and-pop Peruvian restaurant has so quickly become a staple of the Lone Tree dining scene.
Food Highlights
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Lomo Saltado: Top loin strips marinated with Peruvian seasonings, stir-fried with red onions, parsley, and tomatoes, served with French fries and steamed white rice — this is Peru’s most iconic dish. 🥩🍟
- Tallarin Saltado: A stir-fried noodle dish featuring chicken, purple onion, tomato, and green onion with Peruvian spices — beautifully Asian-influenced. 🍜
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Peruvian Ceviche: The national dish of Peru — cubes of Mahi-Mahi fish marinated in citrus juice, served with Peruvian white corn, corn nuts (cancha), and glazed sweet potato. 🐟🍋
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Salchipapas: A popular Peruvian street food classic combining crispy French fries and sausage. 🌭🍟
- Papa a La Huancaina: Boiled potatoes drenched in a creamy, slightly spicy cheese sauce — a beloved Peruvian comfort food. 🥔🧀
- Pollo a La Brasa: Peru’s legendary rotisserie-style chicken, seasoned with Peruvian spices and served Red Llama style with thick fries, fresh salad, and three dipping sauces, including the famous creamy green Ají de pollería. 🍗🔥
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Chicharron Acevichado: Fried pork belly finished with The Red Llama’s signature “acevichado” twist — meaning it’s been “ceviche’d,” adding a bright, citrusy punch to the rich, crispy pork. 🐷🍋
- Causa Potato: A mini mashed potato casserole that’s as beautiful to look at as it is to eat — a layered Peruvian classic. 🥔✨
Atmosphere
Walking into The Red Llama feels less like entering a strip mall restaurant and more like stepping into a warm corner of Lima.
The interior is decorated in rich reds with thoughtful Peruvian details — flags, llama accents, statuettes, and fluffy decorative touches — giving the space an upscale yet relaxed and casual feel.
The restaurant is small but never feels cramped, with dark floors and ceilings that somehow create a bright, airy, and welcoming energy.
The staff is widely praised for being friendly, enthusiastic, and genuinely knowledgeable about the menu — a reflection of the hospitality values that both Chef Jhordano and Marisol have built their brand around. 🦙❤️
Bottom Line
The Red Llama is a rare find — an authentic Peruvian family restaurant with a real love story behind it, scratch-made dishes bursting with bold flavor, a warm and welcoming vibe, and prices worth every penny. Go early, go hungry, and go often. 🌟
Address:
8331 Willow St, Suite B, Lone Tree, CO 80124
📞 (720) 616-7902
🕔 Open Tue–Wed: 11:00 AM–8:00 PM | Thu–Fri: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM | Sat: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM | Sun: 10:00 AM–8:00 PM | Closed Monday