Where should the Mexican eat Colorado Mexican?

Gustavo Arellano, author of the weekly Ask a Mexican and the go-to guy for all things Mexican, was born in in Orange County, California, the son of a legal immigrant and an illegal immigrant. He tells his family's story --- and so much more -- in his new book, Orange...

By Patricia Calhoun

September 23, 2008

Audio By Carbonatix

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2",
          
          "watchElement": ".fdn-content-body",
          "astAdList": [
            {
              "adType": "rectangle",
              "displayTargets": "mobile"
            }
          ]
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1",
          
          "watchElement": ".fdn-content-body",
          "astAdList": [
            {
              "adType": "rectangle",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet"
            },{
              "adType": "rectangle",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet|mobile"
            }
          ]
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25,
          
          "watchElement": ".fdn-content-body",
          "astAdList": [
            {
              "adType": "rectangle",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet"
            },{
              "adType": "rectangle",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet|mobile"
            }
          ]
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25,
          
          "watchElement": ".fdn-content-body",
          "astAdList": [
            {
              "adType": "leaderboardInlineContent",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet"
            },{
              "adType": "tower",
              "displayTargets": "mobile"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]

Gustavo Arellano, author of the weekly Ask a Mexican and the go-to guy for all things Mexican, was born in in Orange County, California, the son of a legal immigrant and an illegal immigrant. He tells his family's story --- and so much more -- in his new book, Orange County: A Personal History, which he'll read from at the LoDo Tattered Cover at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 23.

Just as Orange County has a very personal take on Mexian culture, so does Denver. And a very personal taste: green chile. The last time Gustavo was here, we took him to La Fiesta, a weekday-lunch-only joint at 2340 Champa Street that the patriarch of the family opened more than forty years ago in an old supermarket. Today, it remains one of the very best examplars of Colorado Mexican, smothering its crispy chiles relleno with a hot, gravy-like green chile you could only find in Colorado.

Where should Gustavo eat this time? What restaurant offers a uniquely Colorado twist on Mexican cuisine? Las Delicias? (I visited the original outpost, opened in 1976 at 19th and Penn, last night, and it was as delicious as always.) Benny's? Maybe even the original Chipotle? Post your suggestions here -- fast. -- Patricia Calhoun

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Westword has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.

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.

Contact: Patricia Calhoun

Follow:

Facebook: patricia.calhoun.927