100 Favorite Dishes: Green Chorizo at Los Compadres

No. 90: Green Chorizo at Los Compadres
South Broadway from Alameda Avenue all the way down to Evans Avenue has become a stop-and-go traffic nightmare over the last year or so, with the population density along the street adding to the number of cars coming and going at all times of the day. Sitting in traffic, though, offers you the opportunity to take a look around at what's new on the drag — like a little, brightly painted food trailer set up in a fenced lot with tables and chairs set back from the corner of South Broadway and Florida Avenue.

A closer inspection reveals that the semi-permanent trailer is Los Compadres, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The menu is more than just the standard selection of tacos and burritos. Owner Carlos Ramirez makes his own chorizo verde, a specialty of his home town of  Toluca, Mexico. Green chorizo is a rarity in Denver, so a quick torta Chilango stuffed with the soft, mild sausage makes for a unique and delicious breakfast, sided with a strong cup of instant coffee.

Green chorizo is in fact a vivid hue of green, achieved from a blend of poblano chiles and fresh herbs. Ramirez's recipe also includes piñones, giving the chorizo a distinct, nutty flavor. The torta comes on a crusty roll with tomatoes, lettuce, avocado, melted cheese, mayo and your choice of salsa or pickled jalapeños. You can also get chorizo (green or red) in gorditas, quesadillas and huaraches.

The menu offers plenty of other choices, like fried tamales with eggs, chilaquiles with beans and eggs, and even a plate of pancakes for only $3.50. Nightly specials such as  pork ribs in chile verde or mole ranchero make up the short dinner menu. Ramirez says he's looking for a cook to help him out, since he also runs a landscaping business which will soon keep him busier. His plans for the warmer months include adding more plants and decorations to his outdoor dining area as well as a music setup where customers can pick their favorite songs from an iPad.

Throughout this year, we'll be counting down the best dishes in the city — from longtime classics that keep us coming back to new additions that have caught our attention. If there's a dish you think we need to try, tell us about it in the comments section, or shoot us an e-mail at [email protected].

Hungry for more? All the dishes in our 2016 countdown are linked below.

No. 100: Masala Beef at Biju's Little Curry Shop
No. 99: Bacon Shrimp and Grits at Bacon Social House
No. 98: Porchetta and Kimchi Sandwich at Brider
No. 97: Squab-and-Sunchoke Tortellini at Abejas
No. 96: Housemade Burrata at Viand
No, 95: Schweinshaxe at Rhein Haus
No. 94 Kimchi Jeon at Seoul BBQ
No. 93: Zuppa Pomodoro at Parisi Italian Market & Deli
No. 92: The Ocean Salad at Sushi-Rama
No. 91: The Signature Bowl from Churn & Burn