Upper Larimer Street was busy Saturday morning -- as it is almost every Saturday these days. That wasn't the case twenty years ago; even as LoDo was starting to boom, this stretch was known as NoDough, and filled with pawn shops, empty storefronts, dive bars and hole-in-the-wall eateries. But today it's one of the hottest restaurant areas in town -- which means any remaining hole-in-the-wall eateries are on the endangered list. And Chelo's, at 2012 Larimer, is now gone for good.

For years Chelo's and Johnnie's Market next door made the 2000 block of Larimer a must-stop destination for fans of real Mexican fare. But now Chelo's has closed, and a sign on the window advises fans of its tamales to head a block away, where La Popular is still in business.

If you like this story, consider signing up for our email newsletters.

SHOW ME HOW

X

Newsletters

_{All-access pass to the top stories, events and offers around town.}

• No Thanks
• Sign Up

X

SUCCESS!

You have successfully signed up for your selected newsletter(s) - please keep an eye on your mailbox, we're movin' in!