Jose O'Shea's turns thirty -- that's a lotta tacos

The mutt marriage of Irish and Mexican cuisine in cantina/pubs across the country is one of the least explicable combos imaginable -- but it's also one of the most successful. Witness Jose O'Shea's, which celebrates "thirty years of stamping out gringo food' this month. Since September 1978, Jose O'Shea's has...

By Patricia Calhoun

September 16, 2008

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The mutt marriage of Irish and Mexican cuisine in cantina/pubs across the country is one of the least explicable combos imaginable -- but it's also one of the most successful. Witness Jose O'Shea's, which celebrates "thirty years of stamping out gringo food' this month.

Since September 1978, Jose O'Shea's has been perched over Sixth Avenue (technically at 385 Union Boulevard), luring road warriors up for big margaritas, big plates of americanized Mexican fare, homemade sauces and salsa created daily, and that free taco bar during happy hour -- seven days a week.

To mark Jose O'Shea's thirtieth anniversary, the Hotchkiss family will host special events through September 21, including mariachi bands, daily drawings for giveaways and a five-course tequila dinner on September 18. For details, go to www.joseosheas.com.

Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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