Had never been to this restaurant before. Went out of being in the area and convenience. Turned out fantastic! The service was good, but, the food was was excellent! I would defiantly go back again. They were busy and had a cute little patio but, we choose to sit inside. If you haven't been here and looking for good Mexican food I would give them a whirl!
(5)
R M.
The service was mediocre for a Saturday night, and the food was not that good.
(2)
Sarah B.
We were seated right away by a friendly hostess. Plenty of patio and indoor seating. We came on a Saturday for lunch and it was not busy at all. Thin, crispy chips and a smoky salsa with a perfect amount of heat were delivered to our table. We ordered our food and it was brought out in under 10 minutes. I had the Combination Seis (avocado tostada, ground beef taco, cheese enchilada, and chile relleno). Everything was so delicious! The tostada came piled high with guacamole. The chile relleno was crispy, not over breaded, and had a wonderful, fresh flavor. The ground beef taco was simple and filling. Not too greasy, not full of salt. Just good, home cooked, home seasoned ground beef. The cheese enchilada was exactly what I wanted. Gooey, melted cheese, wrapped in a tortilla, smothered in red sauce. We'll definitely be back here. Definitely for their Monday margarita special.
(5)
Rebecca B.
I hate that I am forced to put 2 stars :( i have usually enjoyed eating here but my experience recently was pretty bad. Once I ordered the waitress who tried to memorize my order took another tables order (in which I knew she would forget mine) and had to re ask what I wanted. Once I recieved my phone it was not only cold, but not correct. I was not asked how my food was until I was nearly 2 bites from done. There were only 2 other tables eating. sorry to say I or my family wont be back.
(2)
Alicia G.
So good! The chicken nachos were delicious and the margaritas were strong! ;D I sat in the patio area and our waitress was very polite and attentive :)
(5)
Rich H.
Typical Mexican place. Not distinguished from dozens of other Mexican places. It is OK but don't go out of your way to eat there.
(3)
Josh J.
Not that good. Was not impressed with any of the flavors on my dish. I ordered Chicken Enchiladas, but instead only got cheese. Not a big deal really, I was hungry. The problem was there was no flavor. Yes it was piping hot, yes the service was decent, but no...there was no flavor...at least not enough to make me say "holy crap that's good". Mediocre. I just don't understand how you can have a business plan that involves mediocre food. But, it did seem busy so they are either doing something right or are at a prime location. Beats me.
(3)
Christopher G.
More often than not - this is what you get in Denver for Mexican food. Decent enough tex-mex food that is overpriced. Look there is nothing here to right home about. They, by default, serve their tacos hard . . .and their burritos spongee. My entree was the basic. A taco (that I had to send back, because it was crispy), chili relleno, and maybe something else burried under that mess of rice, beans, and whatever. Everything was somewhere between bland and average. Hard to tell with everything buried under cheese, beans, and rice If you really want a DTC mexican lunch . . .I would recommend sticking with Yolando's Tacos
(2)
Josh M.
I stopped by this establishment last weekend. I had been to the other La Fogata near Microcenter several times. This one is definitely better. I ordered the cuatro. It came with a chile relleno, ground beef taco, cheese enchilada, and rice & beans. The rice and beans are what you'd expect. The chile relleno was crispy and stuffed nicely. The enchilada was very cheesy, almost too cheesy. Okay who am I kidding? There's no such thing as too cheesy when it comes to food. The beef taco was tasty as well. I had to eat it mostly with a fork though as I saved it until last and by that time the shell had gotten soggy on one side. Not the restaurants fault though. I'd come back here whenever I get a hankering for Mexican food right down the street from me.
(4)
Mayra N.
Great service and food. Had tacos and the enchiladas plate, very generous portion for the price. The decor was modern, enjoyed the fact it was not decorated with too much mexican stuff. The place was cleaned and the server were very attentive. Although, the food was authentic and delicious, I didn't give it 5 stars because there was no wow factor.
(4)
Dunlap D.
Ordered some food to-go, and my order was filled very quickly and the food was great. They are pricey for Mexican, but I will continue to go back.
So the Mexican food here is better than average for Colorado. The fajitas are good and better than a place like Chilis and there queso is very different and spicy. I would say it is worth a look if you want something different.
(3)
Brandon H.
I haven't tried many Mexican restaurants in Denver, but this is by far the best I've had. Salsa is amazing!
(5)
Henry H.
Caldo de Camaron with con Pescado comes with the fish and shrimp still flopping around in the spicy broth when it's brought to your table. The chipotle, cumin and garlic spices join hands to sing and dance from tastebud to tastebud, laughing, running naked past my tonsils down the slide of my patched throat to my barren belly. They gleefully create an island of warm, golden, sun-toasted paradise that passes to my tingling toes. I go weak in the knees just thinking about it and dream of my next tasty morsel from La Fogata. La Fogata means, The Bonfire Fire and this place is true to its name. With its warm, inviting, friendly atmosphere and staff who welcome you like family. Not a day goes by when images of spices, tortilla chips, fire roasted Chipotle and Adobo sauces with combinations of steak, pork, chicken and fish do the Merengue together in my dreams. If you yearn for a quality dining experience, bring your appetite to La Fogata on Evans. And kick back with a magical, tension releasing menu. Don't forget to request a potion from the other magician behind the bar. Rene's palate coupled with years of experience can stir up an elixir of wine, well or even beer accented with lime juice and salt to compliment any meal. This is a great cafe.
(5)
Zach L.
Tucked away on Evans Ave, is an authentic Mexican restaurant that truly dishes up hearty signatures at a fairly moderate price. The food is fantastic, the magaritas get you hammered. The only downside is they have a little higher prices than other Mexican restaurants in the area and lack an exciting location especially with outdoor seating.
(3)
Katharine C.
I've passed this place many times and never thought to stop by. After seeing so many good reviews on this site, I decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed! The chicken fajitas were delicious, as were the cheese enchiladas. The staff were fantastic. This place offers true tex-mex food - and this is coming from a native Texan! If you're craving some authentic Mexican, give this place a try!
(4)
Austen W.
I don't know how this place has 4-stars. Stopped in for a late lunch while I was getting new tires. Like most I judge mexican places by their salsa and theirs is decent at best. No real heat and some flavor I can't quite place (maybe really tomato-ey). Had chicken enchiladas w/ rice & beans ($2.50 extra) and the rice was undercooked, beans rather bland, and enchiladas were nothing to write home to mom about. Service was good and prices cheap so at least there's that.
(2)
Jen M.
I have to say the super friendly service and the fact they didn't serve the meal for my son piping hot was a huge plus. The service was attentive without being annoying and we never felt rushed to leave More should try this place it's reasonably priced and delicious
(4)
Anthony S.
La Fogata is a spacious Mexican restaurant off of Evans Ave in S. Denver - if you blink on the drive to this place you may miss it. Just follow the robots in your phone who get you everywhere anyway and you'll find it no problem. I ordered the guacamole salad to start and the fish tacos for lunch. The guac came out fresh and ready to devour. It sits in a mini taco salad bowl on a bed of lettuce for a little extra crunch as you work through it. Definitely grab one of these salads for the table because it will not disappoint. My fish tacos were on point! I can't say enough about how fresh the fish tasted and the ingredients to dress up the tacos worked perfectly. Fish tacos aren't rocket science, but I have been plenty of places that treat them as such - La Fogata keeps it simple, delicious, and filling - everything you look for in a Mexican restaurant. If the sun is out then grab a seat on the patio, order up a Pacifico with lime, and enjoy some delicious food comin' your way! Delicioso!
(4)
John M.
Wish I could give this place 5 stars, but the service wasn't so good. Food was awesome, clean place, reasonable price. Unfortunately I had such little service, I don't think I even had an actual waitress. If their service improved, I'd go back often!
(3)
Cyndi J.
Oh, Denver, how you are spoiling us with amazing Mexican food!! La Fogata is no exception. The service is awesome here, very friendly and accommodating. We started with the sangria and chips and salsa. The sangria was delightful, delicious, full of flavor. The salsa was amazing - a wonderful blend of heat, flavors, and textures. I had to stop myself so I could save room for dinner. I told our server I was waffling between tamales and fajitas. She recommended getting fajitas and she'd get me a tamale on the side. Brilliant! The tamale was well-made, delicate, flavorful, and tender. I've made tamales before; I know the immense effort that goes into making them, and I appreciate every bite. It was smothered in a delectable green chili, not at all spicy, and perfectly seasoned. The fajitas were phenomenal - steak cooked just right, flavors all balanced. I'm happy to report that the leftovers today are nearly as tasty (and I'm not prone to eat leftovers). Great neighborhood gem!
(5)
Christine N.
Some of the best American-mex food I've had. I always order the carnitas.. It's such a good dish, and a very generous portion, too. Also, I highly recommend the Mexican candies as an appetizer if you like spicy food (jalapeños). And their house marg is a kicker! Service sometimes is slow to start, but the food is really worth it!
(4)
Brittany V.
I've been here on a few different ocassions, sometimes to dine-in and other times just to pick up some takeout. Each time, I've been pleasantly surprised! If you're looking for a little neighborhood Mexican restaurant that has amazing carne asada burritos, look no further! The steak is REAL steak and not chewy or tough by any means. However, the one down side are the prices! We picked up two steak burritos and a small side of beans the other night and our total was $27! Granted, the burritos are huge and they definitely don't skimp on the meat but that's a bit much for such a small order. I have to admit, I will be back because good Mexican food (that doesn't make you regret your decisions the next day) is hard to come by around the Denver area (atleast in my opinion). Their margaritas are quite good, as well!
(4)
Justin B.
Came to eat on a Saturday night around 6pm. Place wasn't extremely busy but the 9 servers sure acted like it was. Therefore, we had to wait for a while at the table until our order was taken. Food was pretty decent actually. We ordered cheese enchiladas and carne asada. Carne didn't come with cheese so I asked for some. Blows my mind how they charge a $1 for some shredded cheese when the plate already costs $15.50. We said something to the manager and she sassed us too! Anyway, was alright...nothin fancy and not horrible.
(2)
Jaime N.
Terrible margaritas loaded with sugar from a pre made margarita mix && bland food considering the price && descriptions.The service is awesome every time I go in && I love the chips and salsa. However, I doubt I will return.
(2)
K K.
This is my go-to place for the most delicious Mexican food in South Denver! The staff is friendly and the food is yumy. Their drinks are SO good. The michelada is my fav. Standard free chips and salsa and fast service. You can't beat that.
(5)
Jennifer B.
The BF was looking for some cheesy Mexican food and off we went to La Fogata. We arrived early afternoon and the place was pretty quiet inside. Our waitress was sweet and completely efficient. We never waited for water refills and our food came out fast and fresh. The chips and salsa were okay. The salsa was a little watery for us, I like mine to be a little thicker with more chunks of tomato's and onions. Chips seemed to be fresh and were served warm. I opted for the Flauta Plate, one with shredded beef and the other with shredded chicken served with beans, rice, sour cream and guacamole. The shredded beef was moist and delicious. Rice and beans were nothing to write home about but gave me something to mix into the rest of the dish. The BF had a combo plate of some kind smothered in cheese which he devoured and said was very tasty - perfect fulfillment of a Mexican craving. He loved the tamale, it tasted homemade. Wonderful Mexican restaurant with plenty of variety and executed just the way tex-mex food should be done. Yummy.
(4)
Karla Kay D.
Great food, nice atmosphere, love the outdoor seating, staff friendly, helpful and attentive, we go there often for staff lunches, easy parking, overall happy!
(5)
Stacey K.
I LOVE this place!! Servers are very friendly and prices average. Street tacos and patio drinks is all you need! Definitely check this place out!!
(5)
Erin H.
Yum! The chips and salsa here are fabulous. I ate way too many chips whilst waiting for my entree, but I don't regret it at all because they were so, so good. I opted to go with one of the combo platters for lunch so I could try a good sampling: beef taco, guacamole tostada, cheese enchilada, and crispy chili relleno. All of that for under $10 - wow! It didn't come with rice and beans, but really, with that much food you don't need the side items. Everything in the combo was good. I was tempted to clean my plate and inhale it all, but did hold off and take the relleno and enchilada home for dinner. (And, per my usual I asked for green chili on both because I'm not a fan of enchilada sauce.) Both reheated well and were delicious. And, bonus, boss picked up the tab! Because it was a work lunch, I did not try a margarita, but I'd love to come back for happy hour (and at least one of my coworkers agreed) and give their adult beverages a try. They had a coconut marg that was calling my name.
(4)
Allison S.
One of my favorites! Quick and friendly service, so far everything I've tried has been great and authentic, I have a particular fondness for their tamales. They have reasonable prices, too. Makes for a perfect dinner date, and is great for families. When it's warmer out they do have a nice little patio area as well, great for a margarita, good eats and some fresh air.
(5)
Max P.
Excellent food! Great value! Happy, friendly staff and atmosphere! I will definitely make a point to return.
(5)
Sarah A.
This is the only Mexican food I eat in Denver. I've never had a bad experience with the food or the staff! The salsa is delicious and actually has a nice kick to it compared to most places it just tastes like you're eating tomato sauce. I love their pollo asado which is chicken breast served with a mild crema sauce and paired with rice, lettuce and tortillas. Their crispy chile rellenos are also an excellent choice. Keep up the good work!!
(4)
Robert R.
I've had four different dishes and they've all been prepared well (aka, tasty) and timely. The wait staff is very nice and attentive. The prices, including happy hour, are reasonable. It's a nice place to take a date.
(4)
Solomon W.
This place is a hidden gem! The homemade salsa has just the right kick, and the smothered burrito is excellent and inexpensive. If you're not in the mood for Mexican, they also make a great cheeseburger, surprisingly enough!
(5)
Marisa W.
This place is tucked away, a beautiful outdoor patio with flower boxes. The inside is also decorated with murals and has nice music playing. They also have lots of Mexican candies for sale, if that tickles your fancy. The menu had a lot of choices including a Mexican hamburger. Interesting! Their chips and salsa were really good. They had many choices of entree. A few things were a little confusing though... My friend ordered two burritos, and on the menu is said they came with beans inside. The waitress said they did NOT come with beans... So my friend ordered it with beans, and there were still no beans in them when they got there. I have never heard of a bean-less burrito... I ordered chicken tacos. They were good, but they didn't come with any salsa on them, or any seasoning at all really. It was good but not what I expected from good Mexican food. I'm from California, so I'm used to the real deal. And this place seemed to leave out some of the important stuff.
(3)
Kristy K.
I visited La Fogata last weekend after hearing great things from coworkers. I had a great meal. I would give La Fogata a strong 3 stars. I found the food tasty and was satisfied, I just wouldn't say it was a 4 star meal. First, we started with the chili con queso. This isn't like your normal chili con queso. This cheese is more stringy. I enjoyed it but it wasn't the consistency I was expecting. Nonetheless, I ate it happily and liked it. My friend and I split tamales and steak fajitas. The steak was cooked tenderly and was pretty good. It could have used a little spice to jazz it up a bit. The tamales were also tasty. They could have used some more pork on the inside. I enjoyed the green chili that they were topped with, could have been spicier but still delicious. Overall, good meal. I probably won't rush back though.
(3)
Matt S.
Service was good, atmosphere was ok, and the food was mediocre at best. The queso was cold and the cheese was clumpy. Overall not the best experience, there are way better Mexican resturaunts in Denver. On a positive note the margarittas were definitely worth the $4 happy hour price.
(3)
Anthony A.
Really enjoyed this place. I ordered the beef fajitas and a traditional margarita. The Marg was superb! The fajitas were very good, no complaints. We got to enjoy the outdoor patio. It was very nice to sit outside, although we did have to endure the busy traffic nearby. I think after my margarita, that annoyance faded a little bit. Overall, I would highly recommend this place. Oh yeah, service was outstanding ...
(4)
Sara L.
Three cheese enchilada with rice and beans $10.99! Call it a day! The salsa is home made delicious and spicy. Service is great and it's a true small business. They are constantly renovating and improving which is great to see
(5)
April S.
The food is good, which is why I come here frequently, but a couple of the servers are chronically cranky. Every time I go in, it's like roulette, hoping I don't get the angry servers. And more often than not, I do. :/ I have to add on: our last experience was pretty bad. The food was icky. My son said, "my taco meat tasted like they put it on the grill and "la fogatabout it!"
(2)
Austen M.
We just moved to the area last week and this is our second visit! Green chile is very good! I also really like the house margarita, which is saying a lot because I am a tough critic of them. Our server this visit was Karen who was very attentive, friendly and everything came out quickly! This will be a regular spot for us. Highly recommended!
(5)
Jesse G.
I don't know what else to say besides this place is amazing! The food is phenomenal and the service is exceptional. Don't miss it!
(5)
Sam K.
Definitely worth a taste especially if your in the neighborhood- I enjoy their burritos as well as the dessert(I usually don't eat dessert) - try have pretty darn good chilli and definitely unique taste to the food they serve- not too shabby at all- try the fried icecream bomb!
(4)
Jasmine M.
Chips and salsa are homemade and fresh. So very, very good. I love the cheese enchiladas and shredded beef burrito - smothered. Rice is good, too. Always comes out super quick and the servers are fast and attentive. Used to be a regular at the one on Evans and they treat you like family. Always take out of town guests here. One of the best!!
(5)
Joe C.
Went here for date night last week with the lady. I'll start by saying I'm not the biggest fan of Mexican food, so my taste buds are certainly not honed to whats amazing and whats just okay. But I thought this place was pretty good. I got the fajitas, which were very good actually. I asked if they could do a chicken/steak combo (which was not on the menu) and they gladly did it for me. Overall, they blow Chili's fajitas out of the water. I thought they were a bit pricey though considering they were like 6-8 dollars more expensive than other traditional items. The fair lady got one of their cuatro plates, with taco, enchilada, tostada and chile relleno. She seemed to enjoy herself and spoke nicely of her food. It looked very good. We got the chili con queso as well, which I really enjoyed. They use green chili instead of red, which was a welcome surprise. I'd have given them 4 stars for the food and service which were great, but I was disappointed when they didn't have my top two drink choices. I really wanted a coconut margarita because they are pretty much my favorite drink of all time. I then asked for one of their other specialty listed margaritas, and they were out as well. Also, some of the ceiling tiles were taken out, exposing the ceiling above where we sat. It wasn't the most appetizing environment, with cables and ducts exposed. Overall, great food and apps, but kind of a let down on environment and the unstocked bar. I'd definitely go back and give them another shot though.
(3)
Torin I.
An enjoyable experience, excellent food, and excellent service. The atmosphere is mellow, and gives you a good vibe. Not overly done and there is nothing fake about this place. If your in the mood for something south of the border then look no further, this is the place to go.
(5)
Roger G.
Good traditional Mexican food is served here along with some of the best texmex stuff as well. The green chile is vegetarian unless you order it as a plate, then they add fresh roasted carnitas. The shrimp coqtels are traditional and served drowned in a tomatoey sauce with fresh cilantro, onions, avocado and served with lime, hotsauce and crackers. This is the real deal for people looking for good food and the best margaritas in Denver (it's in their homemade mix). There are so many reasons to keep coming back.
(4)
Felicia M.
Do you want GOOD AUTHENTIC MeXICAN food, GO here! nowhere else! you get a higher end feel but not the price. For this location its perfect!!! the Staff is friendly the bartender is great! the parking is kinda weird but you can park on the side. its a small place on the corner I dont understand why it seems so cramp, but the atmosphere is pleasant. lots of families come here. I have lived in the area for 3+ years now, and this is a hot spot.
(5)
Sara K.
Worst Mexican I've had in a long time. Enchiladas had no flavor & black beans were straight from the can with no seasoning/flavors added. The manager had nothing to say to me. Won't be back
(1)
Katie D.
Decided to check this place out last night because it was the only Mexican restaurant nearby open past 8 PM on a Sunday. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted and seated on the patio. The patio is small, only about 6 tables, but it made it feel very cozy, in a good way! The chips and salsa were delicious. I had a blue agave margarita- a little too sweet for me, but I'm a tequila fiend, so I prefer my margaritas to taste a little stronger of liquor :) we ordered a side of chile con queso for the table- wasn't anything to write home about. I had two cheese enchiladas with green chile and rice/beans on the side. This place is good for vegetarians- no lard used and the green chile is veggie, and it was delicious on the enchiladas! My entree was awesome- but since everything else was pretty average, it gets three stars from me.
(3)
Kate S.
This review is for delivery of La Fogata from the website delivered dish. The fact that I can get a chimichanga delivered to my house = life changing. La Fogata teaming up with delivered dish is a match made in heaven. I love Mexican food. I love not driving. I super love having Mexican food delivered to me. It means I don't have to put on pants. And for the food - everything I have ordered from this place is solid. They have vegetarian green chili and refried beans (for those of you who avoid meat). I like to ask them to make the green chili extra spicy. Their tortilla chips are delicious as is their salsa (also a little spicy). We've also had their tacos, enchiladas, burritos, shrimp dishes, fajitas, chimichangas...nothing has disappointed.
(5)
Andrew E.
I would recommend this place to anyone looking for great mexican food in a relaxed homey environment. The service was great, margaritas were extra boozey, and the food put me in a taste bud induced coma! Well worth the trip!!
(5)
Alicia P.
This place is a local favorite but I was not overwhelmed. The green chili was rather bland and not at all spicy which was pretty disappointing. My husband ordered fajitas which were very generic and standard chain restaurant fare. My chili rellenos were also bland and greasy. The whole meal was disappointing. I'm not likely to return when there are better options around town. It isn't bad per se, just not great.
(3)
Eva E.
La Fogata has been my favorite Mexican restaurant since forever. My best friend and I come here whenever we want to celebrate or need to cheer ourselves up. Best refried beans anywhere. The shrimp cocktail is perfect. Their pollo asado dish is my official comfort food. I just love this place!
(5)
Adam J.
I like a place that I can get into without a friggin reservation on a Friday night, but there's always something in my head that says "maybe nobody's here because it sucks." That's not the case here; they just have enough room for a fairly sizable crowd. The atmosphere ain't much to look at. It's a pretty standard Mexican decor, if a little less kitschy than your typical suburban Mexican place. And the chips and salsa are adequate, but nothing to write home about. Also if you want multiple baskets of chips, there's a charge. It's not a problem I ran into, but it's a principle thing for me. The food and drinks were pretty darn good, though. My friend enjoyed her combination plate, which was covered in cheese and green salsa. I didn't taste it, but it sure looked good. My fajitas came out sizzling, with enough tortillas to eat the whole thing, and were very tasty, with a good mix of steak and vegetables. We both had giant margaritas, which were solid but not great. They weren't particularly strong, but they definitely had tequila in them. If anything, they were a little sweet for my tastes, a little too mixy. Overall though, this was a solidly above average Mexican meal at the last minute.
(4)
Mallory S.
We love this place!!! Granted I have been going here since I was born because of my parents who found it but we still go when we get our whole family together! So about 25 years! First, the salsa is fantastic! You'll want more and more of it! Great house margaritas! Get the pitcher! My favorite item would be the chicken fajitas. Or the chicken fajitas burrito if I'm craving green chili. My husband always gets the shrimp tacos and literally craves them all the time so we always make a stop there for our Mexican cravings! The staff is always great and the manager or owner is always fantastic there too! They also do military discount!!! This place has fantastic Mexican food so defiantly try it out! The only thing negative I would say about this place is that they changed their happy hour to end at 6 instead of 7! They need to change it back!!!
(5)
Marco L.
I like the restaurant when I go there for lunch but was disappointed to learn that they do not give chips and salsa on there to-go orders. I decided to go somewhere comparable or slightly better who do not charge extra. Too bad..... You won't have my to-go business.
(3)
Stephanie R.
Worst Mexican food I've had in along time. Service was okay. Menu online is out dated in term of pricing.We won't go back ever.
(1)
Franklin T.
Our family has been eating at La Fogata for many years. Whenever we visit my dad in Denver it is always a required stop. The food is consistently above average. I particularly like the enchiladas and burritos. If you order the guacamole or chile con queso it's good to be aware that they make them HOT! I love it, but if you don't want spicy, you will want to opt for something else. I also appreciate the family atmosphere and the pleasant service.
(4)
Chris L.
I liked it, they had great service, sat down quickly and had decent food and great prices. So far the best mexican food ive had in Denver but the search always continues to find the best mexican food as always, oh ya big plus on the salsa and chips
(4)
Vicki P.
We've been eating here for years and have never been disappointed. The building on the outside may seem a bit sketchy but the inside is warm, cheerful, spacious and welcoming. The service in this family owned and operated restaurant is prompt, friendly and attentive. I always look forward to starting off my meal with the crispy, never stale chips and the fresh salsa they make right in the kitchen. The zesty salsa has the perfect balance of sauce and not-too-big chunks of tomato, onion and cilantro with exactly the right amount of spicy kick. Yummy yum yum! Lately I've branched out a bit and tried some different menu items. I've most recently discovered a couple of the shrimp dishes: the light and healthy taquitos de camaron and the spicy and rich camarones rancheros, which are both delicious in their own way. My old tried and trues are the chicken flautas, smothered chicken burrito, and Combo #2. The Hubs favors the mole dishes. We also both think the refried beans are excellent. Drink prices are very reasonable. They have a full bar and feature an assortment of margaritas and other specialty concoctions. For your entertainment pleasure, there are some old school video games (Pac Man and Donkey Kong), a couple of TV's and a jukebox. You can even pick up a pack of chicle or some Mexican candy on your way out. Bring the kids or your drinking buddies - either way, it's all good.
(4)
Terry L.
Last minute dinner idea on Valentines?? No problem getting a table and great service at La Fogata. As a well known Mexican food snob-- I was pleasantly surprised with just about everything about this place. Margaritas=yes and they are HUGE! 22oz. Chips and Salsa = yes great texture for their chips and the Salsa does not disappoint either. Over-sized traditional Mexican food entrees= yes The only drawbacks are 1.) Parking-especially in winter. Most of their limited parking was a slushy ice rink. and 2.) Decor. The building looks like an old early 70's era motel- now having office space upstairs and a "hidden Restaurant" on the bottom floor.
(4)
Michele W.
Same great margaritas and I love their steak fajitas! I can't wait to go back and try their happy hous!
(5)
Andy B.
Closed FORTY-FIVE minutes early tonight. I don't care how slow you are, that's garbage. Thanks for wasting my time, La Fogata.
(1)
Terry R.
I like they place allot it reminds me of Arizona/Mexico , so really authentic food and service!
(5)
Julian R.
Love the salsa here. I find ordering your taco in a flour tortilla to be an outstanding value!
(4)
Tenacious P.
My first experience with La Fogata was back in 1996 at their location on Yale and Parker. When that location closed I started going to this one. The ambiance was a lot more authentic back in the 90's with Mexican families showing up to get their menudo fix. The place and the food is still the same after all these years. Great service. They start you with chips and salsa. My favorite part is you really don't know if your salsa is going to medium or mild. I've ordered just about everything on the menu and would recommend just about everything. My favorite is their mole.
(5)
Benjamin M.
As most of the previous reviews say, this is a family-owned Mexican restaurant offering a nice menu of traditional Mexican dishes. I've eaten lunch here three times within the past two months, and all three lunches have been satisfactory. I really like the salsa--it's considerably spicier than typical Mexican restaurant salsa and it always tastes very fresh. The chips aren't too salty--points there, too. The first time I ordered the fajita burrito and the last two times I ordered the taquitos de carne adobada. The food has always been flavorful and fresh. Even after three visits, it's a little ambiguous whether you're supposed to pay via your server or at the counter (Cracker Barrel-style). I think they prefer you give your card/cash to your server instead of taking the ticket to the counter. The building is kinda weird, but--hey--it's a casual Mexican restaurant, so that works for me. No complaints. This is a great little Mexican lunch spot. I'm sure I'll be making many return visits.
(4)
Barb B.
I was very pleasantly surprised by my experience at La Fogata last night, especially considering that the building it's in looks incredibly sketchy and kind of like a motel from the 70s. I guess I learned not to judge a book by its cover, or rather not to judge a restaurant by its bizarre and unappealing building. But anyway on to the experience of dining at La Fogata.... First of all the food was awesome. I had tacos al carbon and they were bursting with steak (literally I had to eat half the steak with a fork because it wouldn't fit in the tacos), and they were so nicely flavored. I usually like Mexican food because it's fried stuff covered in cheese and this was not fried stuff with cheese at all, and I still liked it a lot, which is amazing to me. The tacos came with really nice, fresh guacamole as well as some very spicy salsa, yummo!!! I thought the service was great, granted it was not very busy but our waiter was always around and the food came out super quickly. It also appeared that it hadn't sat around at all, it was very fresh. I am not 100% sure I am on board with going four stars for La Fogata but I am giving them the benefit of the doubt, and I will refine and update this review after I have the chance to try their food again.... hopefully soon, now that I've written this all I can think about is trying some fried stuff with cheese...
(4)
Samantha H.
Near my place...cute spot with great service! Really enjoy the huevos rancheros! Good Mexican food!
(4)
LeAnn M.
Very nice staff. Yummy chips and salsa. The salsa is smokey and spicy. We ordered the super nacho appetizer with shredded beef and they were delicious. I really liked that some of the combos don't have beans and rice, they're just a sampling of their entrees. Perfect for me as I don't eat beans and rice. The good stuff was the chili relleno (either soft or fried is good) and their cheese enchiladas. The numero seis also came with a guacamole tostada and a ground beef taco. While the guacamole was yummy the tostada and taco were bland...added lots of salsa and that helped. Enjoy!
(4)
Jennifer W.
Whoa, how on earth does this place have so many positive reviews! We had dinner here tonight and it was dismal!!! First of all the place was half empty and we were seated at a table right in front of the door---why do they do that to people, that should be reserved for the last party seated before the place is full! We ordered and in about 5 minutes our food was out, wow, fast! It went downhill from there! The food was awful, the ground beef in my chimichanga tasted like taco bell, my husband had a relleno and a tamale, he said his were disgusting (he almost never has anything negative to say about a place) my daughter took 3 bites of her food and wouldn't eat any more. Trying to redeem the place I ordered sopapillias---huge mistake. In my understanding, sopapillas are fluffy light pillows, these were heavy, doughy brown things. They were either whole wheat or mixed with lots of cinnamon, they were so blah, we didn't even finish them---I have never in my life left a sopapilla on a table until tonight. The bill came and I don't know how it came to $30 for 1 entree, 1 child's meal, a $3 margarita and my husbands 2 a la carte items----wow, awful food and completely overpriced, they have definitely received the "will never go back and will tell everyone not to bother" status in my book.
(1)
Elle N.
I went here again today and there was a guy working who was unbelievably rude. I was handed my Togo order, I looked in the bag to quickly look if everything is there and I didn't see the green chili, so I asked about it. He told me it was on top of the burrito, I explained it was supposed to be on the side but it was ok. So he grabbed the bag from my hands and said he would remake it, I explained again it's no big deal but he continued to the kitchen. I should have asked for my money back the second he grabbed it from me like that. Less than two minutes later he came back out and handed me the bag. When I got in my car I opened everything up to find my order was completely wrong. I had asked for a shredded beef burrito with rice and cheese both inside and on top and every other time they run it trough the oven to heat it up. What did I get? A tortilla rolled up with hardly any beef, some rice and no cheese at all. I've been here three times and two out of the three I've been treated very poorly. The only time I've felt welcome or anyone has been nice was my first visit, when the very nice bartender was there. That's also the only time my order was correct , maybe because he's the one who took it. I'm not sure if I'll be back but if I do go, I doubt I'd stay unless the bartender was there. Everyone else has an attitude problem and can't seem to get a very simple order correct.
(1)
Rhonda P.
La Fogata always comes to the rescue when we need a quick lunch at work. Everthing we try is fresh and delicious, and ready in 15 minutes. Ole!
(5)
Cale G.
Mediocre Mexican food.
(2)
Tiffany C.
The chile rellenos are wrapped with a wonton like consistency. Very chewy and almost inedible. Worst relleno I've ever had and I order them all over town. The chicken and steak fajitas were nothing special. Good, but not award winning like they claim. Service was good and staff friendly. Chile verde ok. Ok house marg.
(2)
Jessica S.
La Fogata...I could sing many an ode to this place...but I have a horrible voice, so... It's located in an old motel, and I must admit, the first time my hubby brought me here (this was in the pre-patio era), I was wondering if a tetanus shot booster was in order. However, if you want awesome Mexican food, you will not go wrong. The food is freshly made, cheap, and in the 10+ years I've been coming here, I've only had one bad service experience. To anyone who dines out a lot, you know that's pretty amazing. The tortilla chips are homemade, crispy and delicious. The salsa is the best in town. It's WAY better than the salsa at their sister restaurant in the DTC area. I think they assume the gringos can't take the heat in the DTC area, so they water it down...They're probably right about that, but I'm glad they kept it real on Evans, because that's where home is. Contrary to my first impression, the interior is bright and cheerful. The patio is fun to sit at in the warmer months. I can't think of anything on the menu I haven't enjoyed. The margaritas and specialty drinks aren't too shabby either. When family and friends come into town, this is one of the places I take them. My father is a good ol' Southern boy, and I swear the only reason he visits Colorado is because of La Fogata. This place keeps families together y'all. All of the staff have been there for years, and they're wonderful people. This is a great neighborhood restaurant, and I feel so fortunate to live nearby. If this place ever closes, I will probably sell my house and follow them to where ever they go to next. It is that good.
(5)
cindy b.
That was a kickin' Caldo de camerones I had at this place. It came with steamin' hot tortillas too. The Tamales are good and one of the other dinner guests swears by their Chiles Rellenos. Another had the Menudo (soup with tripe and hominy) and said it was good but not outstanding--he likes it muy muy picante The service is very friendly and very attentive. I think it's family run and the prices are right. However, the individual margarita I had the first time seemed to be made with a much better tequila than the pitcher of margaritias we got this time. I thought the pitcher margaritas we had this time were nearly nasty, and gave me a wicked headache even though I had two teeny tiny glasses. Maybe they just had too much liquer. I think if you consume it, it should taste good to you. So even though the pitcher had the potential to set five adults in a spin, I'd prefer one well made one next time. The price difference isn't that much. Still, it's a good place to take a group or your family for some Mexican. Plus they play the music that makes you feel like you are out of the 'States. That adds a lot to the atmosphere.
(3)
Sara P.
This place has tasty mexican food with attentive service. The queso appetizer was so-so; I would stick to just the chips and salsa next time because their salsa is awesome! My fiance and I shared the steak fajita dish, and I am glad we did because it was enormous. We could have used an extra tortilla (it only came with three), but that is easy enough to remedy. The house margarita was also good, and pink! I sampled the shrimp soup, and it was smoky with chili flavor and quite tasty.
(4)
Shawn N.
I've always passed this place up as the location and signage suggest a possible dive. This is where Best buy Reward Zone Points came to the rescue. I get points towards Best Buy geekery for eating at select restaurants and La Fogata is on that list. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The inside was very low key, "warm", clean, and inviting. They had an interesting selection of modern Mexican Pop and R&B playing which was a nice, unique touch to what is so often a very tired theme. We had to two people taking care of us so service was on the spot. They have a decent drink menu and my "La 1800 Margarita" was perfectly mixed! The food by and large was tasty and interesting. The only things stopping a fifth star is that some of the appetizers/sides/deserts seemed bought in instead of prepared from scratch as it should be in any respectable restaurant. Specifically, the Rice and the Tortilla chips had suspect texture and taste. The deserts while tasty all seemed a bit stale.
(4)
Sarah S.
I have been eating here for years. The food is so flavorful. The burritos, salsa, huevos, carnitas and mole are my favorites! Margaritas are tasty too.
(4)
Jason J.
When you approach this place, you're wondering if it's really the leasing office of some apartments upstairs (I think it's apartments upstairs.) But you soon realize you've walked into your average Mexican Restaurant. I had heard good things from a few friends, and decided to check it out. The ladyfriend and I went here with a couple friends of ours to carb up before a bike hike the next day. Ahh who am I kidding, we wanted margaritas and meat and tortillas covered in cheese. We ordered a Pitcher of marg, delightfully pink, and helpfully inexpensive at the happy hour price of $16. The drinks were decent, though not as strong as I had hoped, but certainly got me my margarita fill. Service was attentive, but not overbearing. Except for this one server who came up and specifically addressed the ladyfriend, sitting next to me, on the inside of the booth, and asked if she was having an okay time (twice) and asked if we had eaten yet. He was just a random other server walking the floor, and happened to want to see if she was having an okay time. It was...odd. He left us alone after we said we were fine, just waiting for our food to arrive, and I made sure to have an extra big smile on my face, and a fake laugh coming out of my mouth every time he looked over, just so he wouldn't bother us again. The food came out a little slow, but they had a pair of 10tops come in before us, so that kind of backed things up a bit. I had a beef burrito with beans and rice, which was decent. They skimped a bit on the beans and rice (which cost an extra $1.50 or so) and the burrito was a little bland. I was hoping it would have a little bit more to it. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food, and we all kind of agreed that it was good, but it wasn't the best Mexican we'd ever had (which seems to mirror some of the other reviews here on Yelp.) I won't hesitate to go back, because it wasn't bad at all -- but after visiting La Fogata I was only able to add another "good but not great" mexican food restaurant to my mental list. I'm still searching for that amazing mexican food place here in Denver...Someday I'll find you my pretty, someday I will... But in the meantime, you can probably find me occasionally at La Fogata having a margarita pitcher by myself and eating a chimi.
(3)
Kim S.
This food is AWESOME! I have been going here for years, and am never disappointed. The beer is cold, the margaritas are tasty (not too much lime) and what ever I get on the menu is divine. I've had the carnitas, which is always stellar, but lately I got turned on to the chile rellenos. O M G. Get them crispy, that is the way to go. Their salsa they put on the table for the chips is spicy, and that is the way I like it! Good flavors married together, along with those thin crispy tortilla chips that I am sure they make there. I've seen the same staff there for a long time. Friendly, prompt, and always with a smile. I don't think there is much turn around for some of the key people. What a great place. I took my dad here once when he was in town and now we have to go every time he comes back for a visit. I would, too.
(5)
Caroline C.
We really enjoyed dinner at La Fogata tonight. Complementary chips and salsa were great (really nice spicy, if rather salty, salsa). I had the La Fogata Special Combo ($10.75. This was a ground beef taco, a cheese enchilada, a tamale, an avocado tostada, plus a bowl of green chili, a flour tortilla, refried beans, rice, and lots of lettuce, tomato and onion.) Apart from the avo tostada which was salty to the point of being inedible, everything was really tasty and fresh. The chili could have done with some meaty chunks imo but it was bursting with flavor. I'm really not a tamale fan but it too was stuffed full of flavorful shredded beef. He said his Relleno Plate ($7.45 for 2, plus $1.50 for beans and rice) wasn't the best ever but was still very good. Service was outstanding. Though I would give the flan ($3) a miss next time (too sweet for my tastes, and the texture was rather lumpy), this was probably the best Mexican meal I've had in Denver so far. I have to go back to try their fish tacos... 4.5 stars!
(4)
Stefan R.
Decent food overall. Not the best in Denver or anything but the order comes out fast and taste fresh. The staff is very friendly and refills drinks quickly.
(4)
Beth W.
Wow! What a great family-owned restaurant! The salsa is my favorite in Denver and they have $3 Happy Hour margs that are fantastic, too! I had the grilled fish tacos and was really surprised! The fish was SUPER fresh and tender...topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese and avocado! It's my new favorite dish! Thanks for the fast and friendly service! I will absolutely be back...OFTEN!
(5)
Danielle B.
I love Mexican food and many places are just okay. This place is amazing and tasty. I read reviews and we finally decided to go because everyone seems to really like it. The flavors in the food are great, mostly because of the green chili they smother everything in. YUM! This is our new favorite mexican place. The price was right and the portions were big. My husband had a margarita and said it was delicious (I'm preggos so I didn't try it). They had a good variety of kids food and my 3 year old enjoyed it just as much as we did. The atmosphere is, of course, a little tacky, but sometimes that means they have good authentic food : ) Service was good. Chimichangas do not hold up quite as well in to-go boxes.
(5)
Frank T.
What a weird and funny location. I thought I was walking into a hotel or the leasing office of some budget rental apartments. And then there were banquets! I heard of La Fogata from a friend who had recommended them based on their ingenious "stock-market" special. Unfortunately the special is now gone and there were no other appetizing specials on the night "we" visited. First off the bat were some chips and salsa and a pitcher of the house margs. The margs were rosy pink and really tasty. Not overly sweet and not toxic alcohol taste. The salsa at La Fogata is really smoky and not at all watery. It is more of a burnt umber in color rather than the traditional bright red or neon. I ordered the "seis" combo and my dining companion ordered the fish tacos. My chile relleno was crispy and satisfying although not the best I have ever had. I appreciated all of the mounds of lettuce tomato and cheese that surrounded each of the items in the "seis." Gotta love Mexican food with lots'o' lettuce to help up the I am eating healthy quotient. The fish tacos were really tasty and uniquely fully breaded. A mix between traditional English fish and chips and surfers on the Mexican Rivera. Deep fry and cover in a tasty spicy mayo with lots of lettuce and tomato. "healthy" yum! All in all I would say that La Fogata offers tasty Mexican food in a rather unique setting. I would love to know what transpires upstairs. It is not the best Mexican restaurant ever, but it is not a pure disappointment either.
(3)
Gregory M.
Recommendation: A classic family operated local Mexican restaurant with a variety of traditional dishes. One member of the family is even a former Colorado Beauty Queen. Food: My favorite thing at this Mexican restaurant is the salsa. It always tastes fresh and has the spicy kick that I like. Overall I've liked pretty much everything I've had here except for a couple of times when I ventured too far out. The burritos, chimichangas, specialty tacos, and chile rellenos are all great. And while I like the spicy green chile smothered on everything, I didn't appreciate it when I just ordered a bowl of it by itself for lunch. It was just too thick to appreciate as a soup. And one time I thought I would try a chicharone burrito since I know someone who raves about them, but I wish I hadn't - too crunchy and chewy for me. Another little tip if you like it spicy - get the roasted jalapenos to go with your meal! Service: They have traditional table side service from the waitstaff who all speak Spanish and my primary server has always spoken English as well. They are friendly and it never takes too long for your food to come out. Price: Prices are inline with what you would pay at other Mexican restaurants. You can get out of here for around $10 if you just want a burrito or a couple of tacos. Ambiance: It's in an aging building, but they try to spruce up the place with some murals, Mexican artwork, and of course your favorite music from south of the border. Kids: I'm not sure if they have a dedicated kids menu, but you definitely wouldn't be out of place if you brought your kids as long as they like traditional Mexican fare.
(4)
David B.
Solid Mexican fare, pretty spicy for an American place. A little overpriced for a place with no tablecloths, but definitely worth a visit. Perhaps the best guacamole I've ever had!
(3)
KC K.
After three visits in the last few months I'm a huge fan of this place. Great food fast and hot. Friendly staff that keeps us happy.
(4)
Jen M.
Having traveled all day and being new to the Denver Mexican scene we were excited to try La Fogota. We were pleasantly surprised to find the restaurant had seating for us with no reservations at 7:45 pm on a Friday night. We were promptly seated and served our drinks. With a little guidance from our waitress we ordered our entrees. We started with an order of chips and guacamole. The guacamole had some interesting spices but was way too spicy to enjoy. Red Flag. For our entrees, I ordered the ever popular chimichanga with carnitas and beans, I was disappointed with my entree for several reasons: the the carnitas tasted more like a boiled helping of pork and the chimi lacked the essential crispy outer shell, and was lacking overall flavor. The other entree ordered was the special burrito with shredded beef. Though the burrito was tasty overall the shredded beef was very spicy. Could it have been a barbacoa and just not listed as such? Don't get me wrong we enjoy well seasoned and spicy food. Just don't throw on chili peppers for the sake of it.
(2)
Callie B.
This little mexican restaurant has undergone many changes since the days of my youth when everything was watery and bland. I guess it got by on the cute waitress for about 5 years - she won Miss Colorado, FYI. (You can look that up, its true.) Recently, I heard the menu had been revamped so I allowed my parents to drag me there and man, am I glad I did! I had the grilled veggie burrito with an al a carte crispy chile relleno. Aside from the burrito being wayyyyy too big (which is okay, more yummy for tomorrow's breakfast omelette) and the relleno being too heavily breaded, I was melted into that eyelids-half-closed, "mmmm" state as my olfactory nerve transmitted signals of pleasure. The relleno had good cheese - not the kind that turns to liquid in the middle - and was of an acceptable spiciness. The guacamole is also worth mentioning. Although there was only a large dollop atop my burrito, it was the real deal - home made, chunky, and tasted like avocado more than salt or garlic or some other ingredient which is common with mexican restaurants that don't invest in quality avocados. I also sampled the grilled fish tacos (tilapia) that my mom ordered. They were not watery or bland, but light and fresh and flavorful. Definitely the pick on the menu if you don't want something heavy. Alas, I was hungry, and had to consume 2/3 of a burrito and a relleno, but I definitely see myself ordering these in the future. Service is always excellent, and ambiance (inside) has improved since my last visit many years ago. Sure its in an odd location, but all the best places are. I like to pay for good food, not a fancy facade that doesn't deliver... if I wanted that, I'd drive .4 miles to Hacienda Colorado (oh, please do read that review and stay away) Also, I commend this restaurant for its ownership of Pac-man and Donkey-Kong original arcades. Be careful not to miss them, they blend into the bright, colorful decor and you may be distracted by the nearby novelty candies for sale at the hostess station. So burn on, La Fogata, I shall return with friends next time!
(4)
Riza H. C.
Spicy chillies we got! Some like it super hot some like it NOT! Nevertheless, all of us of 22 peeps have a jolly good time, be it drinking the PINK magaritas, the beer etc etc... plus with the good company I have tonight, 3.5 thumbs up for this place. Since I am a non-drinker myself I just have the lemonade. For dinner, I order their Camarones Rancheros, which comes with Shrimp, Spicy Salsa and Rice. I omit the beans coz I am not so into beans. This was my 1st trip to a sit down Mexican restaurant and having something that I can at least "swallow" or something I would like. All in all, I like the spicy shrimp salsa combination though their rice could do better. I feel to compare their rice with WAHOOs, no offence La Fogata... I would love to return here for a good dinner meal with Sean one day and see what he thinks about the menu. Peace out.
(3)
corey c.
A new approach tonight as I'm going to eat and Yelp at the same time. Since my wife is still full from her lunch/shopping excursion with a friend I'm left to fend for myself. I've been wanting to try La Fogata for a while since I drive past it weekly on Evans. I've opted for take out and ordered when I arrive....Top shelf burrito - Asada with sour cream. My guy tells me this will take a little longer to prepare....no worries I'll sit and have a Stella at the bar while I wait. I find out that this location, the original, just celebrated it's 20th birthday this month. I was very surprised, just as everyone else posting reviews, to find the inside of this restaurant very cozy and inviting. I had envisioned a place where I like the food but didn't want to stick around and eat there, my mistake. I'll be back to dine here for sure. Time for the first bite.........as mentioned I opted for a single burrito no sides just carne, beans, tortilla smothered in green chile and sour cream...lettuce too but I don't pay attention to lettuce. Healthy portion.....nice flavor. The steak is very tender, easy to eat and flavorful. Each bite after is of the same thought very good, traditional and delicious. I'm a self proclaimed gringo so the heat is just right for me, I can feel it, it lingers but I can deal. Still clears the sinuses though....I'm good...I'm alright. Half way done and I'm thrilled to have gone to La Fogata. I think if you're looking for traditional this is it. I'm looking forward to actually dining in the establishment soon. Happy 20th - La Fogata!!!
(4)
Destry L.
I got a bland burrito "supreme" with chicken and my husband got three pork(which were fatty) tacos for almost $12!!!! This place is too expensive for what you get.
(2)
BJ and the Cass A.
Super-friendly and attentive staff. Come during happy hour (4-7) and a pitcher of house margaritas is only $16. Other happy hour specials include $3 appetizers with the purchase of alcohol. The chips and salsa are really fantastic and arrived at our table mere moments after we were seated. I can see how parking might get tight on busy nights, and the overall building looks a bit run down, but the food is fantastic, portions are great, and the atmosphere is really friendly. Can't beat that most nights of the week.
(4)
Darin M.
Food is ok. Not great at all. We would've considered three stars but for the price. There are many other better places that are less expensive. This place is way over priced
(2)
Geoff J.
My gf and I headed here last weekend as it was near her house and we were craving some Mexican. The place was very busy but we were seated promptly by friendly staffers. We had to wait a couple minutes before being greeted by our server, but the place was busy so we cut her some slack. By this time we were ready to order our food, so she took both our food and drink orders. The drinks were slow to come out and we were told they only had one bartender working. Thats where they lost a star in my book. Now onto the food.....Amazing!!! I saw they claim to have "top shelf burritos" so I decided to put that claim to the test with a steak burrito. This burrito was probably the 2nd best I've ever had. Honestly it was so good I didn't even think about talking during the meal, I just downed that burrito. I felt like Jerry Seinfeld eating soup from the soup nazi. My gf got the "Award winning fajitas". Which award, I don't care. It deserved one for sure. The steak was cooked just right and had amazing flavor and tenderness. The entire meal was out of this world for the price we paid. I will definitely be going back. This is the type of food one would base their next apartment location on.
(4)
Christina D.
La Fogata = YUM! We have been to La Fogata a few times in the past month and haven't been disappointed once. The food and the service is very consistant...and it's been busy everytime (no wait, but a full house). I love the salsa and the chips aren't bad. The chimichangas are pretty good, and my fiancee is a fan of the combo plates. I highly recommend this place!
(4)
Courtney M.
typical Mexican food - but then what's to complain about that? I got the combo with the smothered bean burrito, cheese enchilada, and chile relleno. they asked if I wanted my relleno soft or crispy - I obviously said crispy. it was basically an egg roll!! you could barely taste anything other than the egg roll dough. the most bogus chile relleno I've ever had (and it was TINY). bean burrito was fine, and the enchilada was pretty amazing I have to admit - wish I got three of those. fast service, not too crowded on a friday night, and good vibe
(3)
Krista H.
I eat lunch here at least once a week. The staff is friendly, remembers regular customers, and service is always fast and efficient. They have some of the best chicken dishes I have had in denver mexican restaurants. Chips and salsa are fresh, and the margs are AMAZING! I should also say this- I once left a very very expensive one of a kind bracelet on my table. It took me over a day to figure out where I had left it, and when I finally called, they had hung onto it for me. Support local businesses!
(5)
K Rachel L.
Dont be turned off by the building - its in the lower level of a creepy motel. Their food is amazing! Very authentic and cheap! The staff is also very nice. Good quality and atmosphere.
(5)
Zach V.
I love La Fogata. Why only 4 satrs you ask? Because while the food is great I think 5 stars are for the best food of a specific type of genre. La Fogata will knock your socks off but it won't knock you out. The staff here is super friendly. I go with some regularity but not excessively so and whenever I walk in there is a familiar face to greet me and ask how I'm doing. Is it like Cheers? Maybe just a little bit and honestly while I don't require it, it's an awesome perk to have nice, friendly, and good people helping you chow down some great Mexican food. The food is excellent. Their portions are huge, their prices are amazingly cheap, and the selection is quite varied. The chips and salsa are some of my favorite I've had around. Both complement each other perfectly and I always find it hard not to over eat on chips and not be able to properly attack the food I ordered. Some of my favorites are the chili relleno (made crispy), the shredded beef burrito, the chili relleno burrito, the carna asada burrito, taquitos al carbon, and their fajitas. Their flan is pretty good to polish off your meal as well. Great food, service, and prices.
(4)
Dmitri T.
This is by far my most favorite Mexican restaurant ever. We were a little afraid to go in at first, but we were taken back on how super clean it was compared to what we thought we were about to encounter. The salsa was amazing. It had a little kick but not too much. My wife is a punk when it comes to hot stuff, and she enjoyed it so I know the kick was perfect. I had the Dos combo and it was incredible. I'm not a fan of shredded beef, so I was overjoyed to see that they offered seasoned ground beef. The staff was super friendly and I had so many margaritas that the bartender was sure to acknowledge us on the way out. We will definitely be back often. Also, I bet their sales are going to increase 10 times since someone is opening a weed stop upstairs from them.
(5)
Jared G.
I had not been in here for probably two years and the bartender remembered me. Some of the same servers have been working there for damn near ten years. Once upon a time, I saw a woman that looked and dressed a lot like my third grade teacher sitting a few tables over, and the margaritas convinced me I should go and see if it really was her. It was. They have good smothered chicken burritos (the green chile is a little spicy but not at all dangerous and doesn't have big pieces of pork in it), which is probably pretty gringo as far as Mexican food goes, but since I'm a gringo it works out. I like the tamales here, and I've enjoyed the ceviche and the carne asada tacos in the past. I miss this place.
(4)
Matthew S.
This was the very first place I ate at in Denver upon moving here. After three days of driving from Brooklyn, NY any real meal would have been welcome, but this place was actually an wonderful surprise. I have been back since that first night and it was equally enjoyable. The food is delicious. The only thing that I would say needs to be improved is one particular server, he was a little forgetful on each visit.
(4)
Rebecca M.
My husband I both love Mexican food and were very excited that this place is less than a 5 minute drive from our place. The chips and salsa were pretty good. Nothing extraordinary, but hey they were free and yummy. We ordered the Carnitas Tacos and Shrimp Tacos. They were both very good but I was quite partial to the Carnitas Tacos. They were delicious and just what I was expecting. I love cheese but was glad that there wasn't any on it. I hate "Mexican" restaurants that serve everything dripping with salsa/sauce and cheese. My margarita was also very good. It was sort of pink like there was cranberry or pink grapefruit juice in it. I forgot to ask. I don't exactly know how the system works, but they give different discounts depending on the day. I wasn't going to ask questions if they were going to give me a discount.
(4)
Betty B.
One of the best chimichangas I've ever had! A must get, I've been getting since high school. Lol
(5)
Daniel L.
Just moved to Denver from Georgia. I'm not a big fan of green chili smothering everything. I've tried several Tex Mex restaurants around and La Fogata may be one of the the best options. Where I'm still in search for the best I would definitely recommend this place. Oh and my girlfriend loooooves their Margaritas. They also have Donkey Kong and Pac-Man Arcade Cabinets, which is freaking awesome.
(4)
Don D.
The best Mexican in Denver. We were a party of 4 and everyone had a great meal. My son lives in Denver and he said he will be back. Have a designated driver and buy the pitcher of margs. Service was very attentive. The funky building added to a great night.
(4)
Christina S.
The best Shrimp Fajitas in town! When i think Mexican i come here!
(4)
Tom L.
Pretty good Mexican food all around, awesome tamales are a must!
(4)
Katie C.
De-licious! Always get the numero cinco and love it EVERY time! Large dinner plates and tasty chips and salsa are FREE! The Margaritas are good, I wouldn't suggest the house margarita, but there are many other options I dig. (Top Shelf is my fav!)
(5)
H A.
I tried this Mexican restaurant twice because of the positive reviews and its close proximity to home. The first time we shared their "award winning" chicken fajitas and were sadly disappointed. The bell peppers were drenched in grease, and the chicken bland and dry. We each ordered a specialty margarita . . . perhaps these could dampen our perception and save the meal. They seriously need to take down the triple sec a few notches - not even dessert has a right to be this sweet! We picked and sipped for a while, but ultimately went home early and made our own dinner. A couple weeks later, too lazy to drive far from home, we decided to give it another go. I ordered a beef burrito smothered in chile sauce. Again, bland and unmemorable. Maybe we just didn't try the better dishes, but will the third time be a charm? Hard to say, since there are so many better options out there.
(2)
Kristen D.
Quick friendly service. Reasonable prices and good food.
(4)
Jeff T.
Went here over the weekend for lunch. Overall it was very enjoyable. Salsa was spicy so the kids couldn't eat it but the waiter was kind enough to get us queso cheese they use for the kids nachos. I had the combo sies and it was very good. Will have to go back and try it again.
(3)
Brad F.
Great neighborhood place to eat. The wait staff is friendly (They always recognize that we've been in before) and attentive. Food come out of the kitchen very fast and hot. Fairly typical Mexican food. I like their salsa and green chile. I like the guacamole and the chile rellanos. Mostly I get the Huevos a la Mexicana which is eggs, tomatoes and jalapenos smothered in green chile served with rice, beans and tortillas. Muy Bien!
(4)
Bruce A.
Been coming to La Fogata for years and it has to be one of the most consistently great Mexican restaurants around. From the crispy rellenos to awesome burritos to surprisingly outstanding seafood dishes... nothing disappoints. Now when I arrive, I'm greeted by name and feel I'm surrounded by friends. This is a not to be missed neighborhood spot!
(5)
Juan C.
My experience at La Fogata was, overall, good. 3 of us went for a friend's birthday. The food was good, though my chile relleno was a little over-crispy. But, such is life. I can't complain about the food otherwise, and the prices were fine. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food. Nothing was spicy to speak of... which is, of course, good and bad. The service was excellent. My big complaint was the margarita. Their pre-prepared "house" mix is not a traditional margarita mix, and includes some amount of berry flavor. I couldn't get a straight answer out of my server as to what it was (first "no berries", then "cranberry"...). Regardless, it was certainly not the standard sweet orange and lime flavor (i.e. triple sec + lime juice). Though not a true connoisseur, I am a margarita purist. When I order a margarita, it should not have any berry flavor (unless I order it that way!). Sadly, I ended up with a mediocre mojito (clearly made with peppermint schnapps...). So, go for the food. Avoid the margaritas. Unless you happen to like berry margaritas. Then, by all means, drink lots!
(4)
Jason R.
I have been going here since I was a kid and my family had frequented the restaurant in numerous times prior to that. Great prices, the same friendly faces time and time again. *Between you and me, they make a margarita so tasty, its said the most interesting man in the world once asked for the recipe!
(4)
andy t.
Started eating here in about 1993 when it was a funky hole in the wall with the best shredded beef burritos I've ever had, and 3 for about $7. Since they expanded and upgraded the appearance, the prices went up and portions went down (maybe also 'cause its 10-15 years later). My main complaint though is that they've changed the really shredded, marinated beef to unmarinated pot roast chunks. Maybe I'll switch to their tacos al carbon. This is still a favorite, haven't found one better. Great service. Good prices. Family friendly. Miss the old LaFogata, but times change and more gringo-friendly atmosphere probably brings more Denverites.
(4)
Pablo E.
chips and salsa with breakfast (hell yes) tejano and ranchero music dominates their jukebox (muy bueno) old school pac man arcade game (rock show) the food is really good and a nice change of pace for breakfast.
(5)
Eric S.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in town still. They have the best salsa in town and the food are good and plenty. I usually get the burrito plate, because it is big enough to fill any stomach, add a side of green chili and some drinks makes for a great dinner. You can't go wrong here
(5)
Karissa W.
Been going to this place since I was a kid way before it got expanded. I love there food. Very reasonable prices, the drinks are great & the atmosphere is family friendly.
(4)
Ted S.
People get put out here about the '70s decor, not getting good seating, tight parking. That means nothing, not when you go to a place like this for a Mex food and margie fix. Thing is, to rate as a return you have to have some consisent variables; namely, price and quality. Sadly, La Fogata doesn't cut it with these essentials...not by my reckoning. Years ago the food was OK, not great, but not a bad value. Like Bennie's before they cut back portions and jacked up the prices. La Fogata fell out of favor with me a few years back because the food seemed so damned greasy. Seriously. So I went back last night for a readeux. This time my Combo Number Dos -- beef burrito, beef taco and cheese enchilada....was over-the-top salty. So much so my blood pressure went up, and I'm usually not that sensitive to this. I cannot for the life of me understand how they can get away with seasoned beef tasting like it was stewed in salt water. Oh yeah: we asked for no salt on our margies. Of course they were loaded up. I can't see ever going back here. The simple basics are just ingorned. Hasta la vista, Fogata.
(2)
Chris H.
I love this restaurant. Good Food. Great Price. Good People. Mexican food that is spicy and plentiful.
(5)
A T.
Can't beat it for consistently tasty Mex for the whole family--in fact, it feels very much like family there. Servers are kind and attentive, restaurant is clean and kid friendly. Have taken many friends there and all want to go back. The location is a bit odd and the salsa could be a little more predictable.
(4)
Trace O.
This is, hands down, my favorite Mexican restaurant in Colorado. It's the good stuff: green chile, refried beans, and all matter of old school Mexican ingredients. You may find healthy black bean-oriented Chipolte-type stuff here, but I wouldn't know because I don't order it. Truth is, I always order the same thing: two beef/bean burritos smothered with cheese and green chile. After inevitably filling up on the outstanding chills and salsa, I eat one of these massive burritos, and take the other home. It's just as good, if not better the next day. My pals tell me the other stuff is great too, including the margaritas. The staff is wonderful as well, and the service is excellent. I'll never forget how I found this place. A friend was visiting from out of town, and it was New Years Eve. She had her heart set on celebrating the evening with some karaoke. I had my heart set on...well, pretty much anything other than listening to tone-deaf drunks "singing." The only place we knew of that featured this horrific practice on a nightly basis was Armida's, an awful Mexican eatery...rather more of a drinkery...much more of drinkery, on Lincoln and 8th. The deal was that if I agreed to suffer a few hours of karaoke early in the evening, we could do anything I wanted for the rest of the night. Well, pretty much anything. She wasn't that kind of friend, though I wished she was, but that's another story. I chose my favorite activity, miniature golf. Now this was December, so the options for putt putt were next to none. The only way to play mini golf on this cold winter's night was indoors at FunPlex, or whatever it's now called. I braved a couple hours of the sad spectacle at Armida's, but wasn't about to touch the food. My friend and I had met there, so the plan now was to drive to her mom's house, and take just one car to mini-golf. On the way, I'd grab a bite to eat. My friend doesn't really eat, but that's another story as well. I stopped into the Noodles and Co. on Broadway and 6th for some takeout. What happened next was Serlingesque in its Twilight Zone-ness. I scanned the menu board for my usual favorite, a pasta dish with pesto and chicken. I couldn't find it, so when I got to the register, I described the item to the staffer. Blank stare. "Really, I order it all the time, it's got chicken and pesto..." Nothing. She informed me that they had no such thing, and Noodles and Co. doesn't serve anything containing chicken. I was so flustered and confused that I started to ask again, nothing came out but air, and I left in a daze. I drove toward the house, and saw this unassuming Mexican restaurant on Evans just east of Holly. I had to get something, so I gave it a try. 100 or so visits and six years later, I'm no longer a full-time Colorado resident, but I remain hooked on La Fogata, and I still order the burrito plate that I first enjoyed on New Years Eve, 2003. By the way, I have since enjoyed Pesto Cavatappi (I found out what it was called) at that same Noodles and Co., sans the militant vegetarian cashier.
(5)
David L.
Love this place. Friendly welcoming staff. You can always get a table without reservation. Service fast. Our favorite is the shrimp fajitas.
(5)
Jonathan S.
I had high hopes for this restaurant after seeing that it had received 4 stars on Yelp but my dinner here was average to below average. While the chile relleno was good our group's other dishes (chicken mole, chicken enchilada, bean and cheese burrito) all disappointed.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Andrea M.
Had never been to this restaurant before. Went out of being in the area and convenience. Turned out fantastic! The service was good, but, the food was was excellent! I would defiantly go back again. They were busy and had a cute little patio but, we choose to sit inside. If you haven't been here and looking for good Mexican food I would give them a whirl!
(5)R M.
The service was mediocre for a Saturday night, and the food was not that good.
(2)Sarah B.
We were seated right away by a friendly hostess. Plenty of patio and indoor seating. We came on a Saturday for lunch and it was not busy at all. Thin, crispy chips and a smoky salsa with a perfect amount of heat were delivered to our table. We ordered our food and it was brought out in under 10 minutes. I had the Combination Seis (avocado tostada, ground beef taco, cheese enchilada, and chile relleno). Everything was so delicious! The tostada came piled high with guacamole. The chile relleno was crispy, not over breaded, and had a wonderful, fresh flavor. The ground beef taco was simple and filling. Not too greasy, not full of salt. Just good, home cooked, home seasoned ground beef. The cheese enchilada was exactly what I wanted. Gooey, melted cheese, wrapped in a tortilla, smothered in red sauce. We'll definitely be back here. Definitely for their Monday margarita special.
(5)Rebecca B.
I hate that I am forced to put 2 stars :( i have usually enjoyed eating here but my experience recently was pretty bad. Once I ordered the waitress who tried to memorize my order took another tables order (in which I knew she would forget mine) and had to re ask what I wanted. Once I recieved my phone it was not only cold, but not correct. I was not asked how my food was until I was nearly 2 bites from done. There were only 2 other tables eating. sorry to say I or my family wont be back.
(2)Alicia G.
So good! The chicken nachos were delicious and the margaritas were strong! ;D I sat in the patio area and our waitress was very polite and attentive :)
(5)Rich H.
Typical Mexican place. Not distinguished from dozens of other Mexican places. It is OK but don't go out of your way to eat there.
(3)Josh J.
Not that good. Was not impressed with any of the flavors on my dish. I ordered Chicken Enchiladas, but instead only got cheese. Not a big deal really, I was hungry. The problem was there was no flavor. Yes it was piping hot, yes the service was decent, but no...there was no flavor...at least not enough to make me say "holy crap that's good". Mediocre. I just don't understand how you can have a business plan that involves mediocre food. But, it did seem busy so they are either doing something right or are at a prime location. Beats me.
(3)Christopher G.
More often than not - this is what you get in Denver for Mexican food. Decent enough tex-mex food that is overpriced. Look there is nothing here to right home about. They, by default, serve their tacos hard . . .and their burritos spongee. My entree was the basic. A taco (that I had to send back, because it was crispy), chili relleno, and maybe something else burried under that mess of rice, beans, and whatever. Everything was somewhere between bland and average. Hard to tell with everything buried under cheese, beans, and rice If you really want a DTC mexican lunch . . .I would recommend sticking with Yolando's Tacos
(2)Josh M.
I stopped by this establishment last weekend. I had been to the other La Fogata near Microcenter several times. This one is definitely better. I ordered the cuatro. It came with a chile relleno, ground beef taco, cheese enchilada, and rice & beans. The rice and beans are what you'd expect. The chile relleno was crispy and stuffed nicely. The enchilada was very cheesy, almost too cheesy. Okay who am I kidding? There's no such thing as too cheesy when it comes to food. The beef taco was tasty as well. I had to eat it mostly with a fork though as I saved it until last and by that time the shell had gotten soggy on one side. Not the restaurants fault though. I'd come back here whenever I get a hankering for Mexican food right down the street from me.
(4)Mayra N.
Great service and food. Had tacos and the enchiladas plate, very generous portion for the price. The decor was modern, enjoyed the fact it was not decorated with too much mexican stuff. The place was cleaned and the server were very attentive. Although, the food was authentic and delicious, I didn't give it 5 stars because there was no wow factor.
(4)Dunlap D.
Ordered some food to-go, and my order was filled very quickly and the food was great. They are pricey for Mexican, but I will continue to go back.
(4)Alexis B.
Wow! My mom liked their Molé. She's super picky, so it's a surprise. I've eaten at La Fogata a few times and have enjoyed it each time. Good service, good food, good drinks. And now a place I can bring my mother, and she won't make faces and complain.
(5)Michael C.
So the Mexican food here is better than average for Colorado. The fajitas are good and better than a place like Chilis and there queso is very different and spicy. I would say it is worth a look if you want something different.
(3)Brandon H.
I haven't tried many Mexican restaurants in Denver, but this is by far the best I've had. Salsa is amazing!
(5)Henry H.
Caldo de Camaron with con Pescado comes with the fish and shrimp still flopping around in the spicy broth when it's brought to your table. The chipotle, cumin and garlic spices join hands to sing and dance from tastebud to tastebud, laughing, running naked past my tonsils down the slide of my patched throat to my barren belly. They gleefully create an island of warm, golden, sun-toasted paradise that passes to my tingling toes. I go weak in the knees just thinking about it and dream of my next tasty morsel from La Fogata. La Fogata means, The Bonfire Fire and this place is true to its name. With its warm, inviting, friendly atmosphere and staff who welcome you like family. Not a day goes by when images of spices, tortilla chips, fire roasted Chipotle and Adobo sauces with combinations of steak, pork, chicken and fish do the Merengue together in my dreams. If you yearn for a quality dining experience, bring your appetite to La Fogata on Evans. And kick back with a magical, tension releasing menu. Don't forget to request a potion from the other magician behind the bar. Rene's palate coupled with years of experience can stir up an elixir of wine, well or even beer accented with lime juice and salt to compliment any meal. This is a great cafe.
(5)Zach L.
Tucked away on Evans Ave, is an authentic Mexican restaurant that truly dishes up hearty signatures at a fairly moderate price. The food is fantastic, the magaritas get you hammered. The only downside is they have a little higher prices than other Mexican restaurants in the area and lack an exciting location especially with outdoor seating.
(3)Katharine C.
I've passed this place many times and never thought to stop by. After seeing so many good reviews on this site, I decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed! The chicken fajitas were delicious, as were the cheese enchiladas. The staff were fantastic. This place offers true tex-mex food - and this is coming from a native Texan! If you're craving some authentic Mexican, give this place a try!
(4)Austen W.
I don't know how this place has 4-stars. Stopped in for a late lunch while I was getting new tires. Like most I judge mexican places by their salsa and theirs is decent at best. No real heat and some flavor I can't quite place (maybe really tomato-ey). Had chicken enchiladas w/ rice & beans ($2.50 extra) and the rice was undercooked, beans rather bland, and enchiladas were nothing to write home to mom about. Service was good and prices cheap so at least there's that.
(2)Jen M.
I have to say the super friendly service and the fact they didn't serve the meal for my son piping hot was a huge plus. The service was attentive without being annoying and we never felt rushed to leave More should try this place it's reasonably priced and delicious
(4)Anthony S.
La Fogata is a spacious Mexican restaurant off of Evans Ave in S. Denver - if you blink on the drive to this place you may miss it. Just follow the robots in your phone who get you everywhere anyway and you'll find it no problem. I ordered the guacamole salad to start and the fish tacos for lunch. The guac came out fresh and ready to devour. It sits in a mini taco salad bowl on a bed of lettuce for a little extra crunch as you work through it. Definitely grab one of these salads for the table because it will not disappoint. My fish tacos were on point! I can't say enough about how fresh the fish tasted and the ingredients to dress up the tacos worked perfectly. Fish tacos aren't rocket science, but I have been plenty of places that treat them as such - La Fogata keeps it simple, delicious, and filling - everything you look for in a Mexican restaurant. If the sun is out then grab a seat on the patio, order up a Pacifico with lime, and enjoy some delicious food comin' your way! Delicioso!
(4)John M.
Wish I could give this place 5 stars, but the service wasn't so good. Food was awesome, clean place, reasonable price. Unfortunately I had such little service, I don't think I even had an actual waitress. If their service improved, I'd go back often!
(3)Cyndi J.
Oh, Denver, how you are spoiling us with amazing Mexican food!! La Fogata is no exception. The service is awesome here, very friendly and accommodating. We started with the sangria and chips and salsa. The sangria was delightful, delicious, full of flavor. The salsa was amazing - a wonderful blend of heat, flavors, and textures. I had to stop myself so I could save room for dinner. I told our server I was waffling between tamales and fajitas. She recommended getting fajitas and she'd get me a tamale on the side. Brilliant! The tamale was well-made, delicate, flavorful, and tender. I've made tamales before; I know the immense effort that goes into making them, and I appreciate every bite. It was smothered in a delectable green chili, not at all spicy, and perfectly seasoned. The fajitas were phenomenal - steak cooked just right, flavors all balanced. I'm happy to report that the leftovers today are nearly as tasty (and I'm not prone to eat leftovers). Great neighborhood gem!
(5)Christine N.
Some of the best American-mex food I've had. I always order the carnitas.. It's such a good dish, and a very generous portion, too. Also, I highly recommend the Mexican candies as an appetizer if you like spicy food (jalapeños). And their house marg is a kicker! Service sometimes is slow to start, but the food is really worth it!
(4)Brittany V.
I've been here on a few different ocassions, sometimes to dine-in and other times just to pick up some takeout. Each time, I've been pleasantly surprised! If you're looking for a little neighborhood Mexican restaurant that has amazing carne asada burritos, look no further! The steak is REAL steak and not chewy or tough by any means. However, the one down side are the prices! We picked up two steak burritos and a small side of beans the other night and our total was $27! Granted, the burritos are huge and they definitely don't skimp on the meat but that's a bit much for such a small order. I have to admit, I will be back because good Mexican food (that doesn't make you regret your decisions the next day) is hard to come by around the Denver area (atleast in my opinion). Their margaritas are quite good, as well!
(4)Justin B.
Came to eat on a Saturday night around 6pm. Place wasn't extremely busy but the 9 servers sure acted like it was. Therefore, we had to wait for a while at the table until our order was taken. Food was pretty decent actually. We ordered cheese enchiladas and carne asada. Carne didn't come with cheese so I asked for some. Blows my mind how they charge a $1 for some shredded cheese when the plate already costs $15.50. We said something to the manager and she sassed us too! Anyway, was alright...nothin fancy and not horrible.
(2)Jaime N.
Terrible margaritas loaded with sugar from a pre made margarita mix && bland food considering the price && descriptions.The service is awesome every time I go in && I love the chips and salsa. However, I doubt I will return.
(2)K K.
This is my go-to place for the most delicious Mexican food in South Denver! The staff is friendly and the food is yumy. Their drinks are SO good. The michelada is my fav. Standard free chips and salsa and fast service. You can't beat that.
(5)Jennifer B.
The BF was looking for some cheesy Mexican food and off we went to La Fogata. We arrived early afternoon and the place was pretty quiet inside. Our waitress was sweet and completely efficient. We never waited for water refills and our food came out fast and fresh. The chips and salsa were okay. The salsa was a little watery for us, I like mine to be a little thicker with more chunks of tomato's and onions. Chips seemed to be fresh and were served warm. I opted for the Flauta Plate, one with shredded beef and the other with shredded chicken served with beans, rice, sour cream and guacamole. The shredded beef was moist and delicious. Rice and beans were nothing to write home about but gave me something to mix into the rest of the dish. The BF had a combo plate of some kind smothered in cheese which he devoured and said was very tasty - perfect fulfillment of a Mexican craving. He loved the tamale, it tasted homemade. Wonderful Mexican restaurant with plenty of variety and executed just the way tex-mex food should be done. Yummy.
(4)Karla Kay D.
Great food, nice atmosphere, love the outdoor seating, staff friendly, helpful and attentive, we go there often for staff lunches, easy parking, overall happy!
(5)Stacey K.
I LOVE this place!! Servers are very friendly and prices average. Street tacos and patio drinks is all you need! Definitely check this place out!!
(5)Erin H.
Yum! The chips and salsa here are fabulous. I ate way too many chips whilst waiting for my entree, but I don't regret it at all because they were so, so good. I opted to go with one of the combo platters for lunch so I could try a good sampling: beef taco, guacamole tostada, cheese enchilada, and crispy chili relleno. All of that for under $10 - wow! It didn't come with rice and beans, but really, with that much food you don't need the side items. Everything in the combo was good. I was tempted to clean my plate and inhale it all, but did hold off and take the relleno and enchilada home for dinner. (And, per my usual I asked for green chili on both because I'm not a fan of enchilada sauce.) Both reheated well and were delicious. And, bonus, boss picked up the tab! Because it was a work lunch, I did not try a margarita, but I'd love to come back for happy hour (and at least one of my coworkers agreed) and give their adult beverages a try. They had a coconut marg that was calling my name.
(4)Allison S.
One of my favorites! Quick and friendly service, so far everything I've tried has been great and authentic, I have a particular fondness for their tamales. They have reasonable prices, too. Makes for a perfect dinner date, and is great for families. When it's warmer out they do have a nice little patio area as well, great for a margarita, good eats and some fresh air.
(5)Max P.
Excellent food! Great value! Happy, friendly staff and atmosphere! I will definitely make a point to return.
(5)Sarah A.
This is the only Mexican food I eat in Denver. I've never had a bad experience with the food or the staff! The salsa is delicious and actually has a nice kick to it compared to most places it just tastes like you're eating tomato sauce. I love their pollo asado which is chicken breast served with a mild crema sauce and paired with rice, lettuce and tortillas. Their crispy chile rellenos are also an excellent choice. Keep up the good work!!
(4)Robert R.
I've had four different dishes and they've all been prepared well (aka, tasty) and timely. The wait staff is very nice and attentive. The prices, including happy hour, are reasonable. It's a nice place to take a date.
(4)Solomon W.
This place is a hidden gem! The homemade salsa has just the right kick, and the smothered burrito is excellent and inexpensive. If you're not in the mood for Mexican, they also make a great cheeseburger, surprisingly enough!
(5)Marisa W.
This place is tucked away, a beautiful outdoor patio with flower boxes. The inside is also decorated with murals and has nice music playing. They also have lots of Mexican candies for sale, if that tickles your fancy. The menu had a lot of choices including a Mexican hamburger. Interesting! Their chips and salsa were really good. They had many choices of entree. A few things were a little confusing though... My friend ordered two burritos, and on the menu is said they came with beans inside. The waitress said they did NOT come with beans... So my friend ordered it with beans, and there were still no beans in them when they got there. I have never heard of a bean-less burrito... I ordered chicken tacos. They were good, but they didn't come with any salsa on them, or any seasoning at all really. It was good but not what I expected from good Mexican food. I'm from California, so I'm used to the real deal. And this place seemed to leave out some of the important stuff.
(3)Kristy K.
I visited La Fogata last weekend after hearing great things from coworkers. I had a great meal. I would give La Fogata a strong 3 stars. I found the food tasty and was satisfied, I just wouldn't say it was a 4 star meal. First, we started with the chili con queso. This isn't like your normal chili con queso. This cheese is more stringy. I enjoyed it but it wasn't the consistency I was expecting. Nonetheless, I ate it happily and liked it. My friend and I split tamales and steak fajitas. The steak was cooked tenderly and was pretty good. It could have used a little spice to jazz it up a bit. The tamales were also tasty. They could have used some more pork on the inside. I enjoyed the green chili that they were topped with, could have been spicier but still delicious. Overall, good meal. I probably won't rush back though.
(3)Matt S.
Service was good, atmosphere was ok, and the food was mediocre at best. The queso was cold and the cheese was clumpy. Overall not the best experience, there are way better Mexican resturaunts in Denver. On a positive note the margarittas were definitely worth the $4 happy hour price.
(3)Anthony A.
Really enjoyed this place. I ordered the beef fajitas and a traditional margarita. The Marg was superb! The fajitas were very good, no complaints. We got to enjoy the outdoor patio. It was very nice to sit outside, although we did have to endure the busy traffic nearby. I think after my margarita, that annoyance faded a little bit. Overall, I would highly recommend this place. Oh yeah, service was outstanding ...
(4)Sara L.
Three cheese enchilada with rice and beans $10.99! Call it a day! The salsa is home made delicious and spicy. Service is great and it's a true small business. They are constantly renovating and improving which is great to see
(5)April S.
The food is good, which is why I come here frequently, but a couple of the servers are chronically cranky. Every time I go in, it's like roulette, hoping I don't get the angry servers. And more often than not, I do. :/ I have to add on: our last experience was pretty bad. The food was icky. My son said, "my taco meat tasted like they put it on the grill and "la fogatabout it!"
(2)Austen M.
We just moved to the area last week and this is our second visit! Green chile is very good! I also really like the house margarita, which is saying a lot because I am a tough critic of them. Our server this visit was Karen who was very attentive, friendly and everything came out quickly! This will be a regular spot for us. Highly recommended!
(5)Jesse G.
I don't know what else to say besides this place is amazing! The food is phenomenal and the service is exceptional. Don't miss it!
(5)Sam K.
Definitely worth a taste especially if your in the neighborhood- I enjoy their burritos as well as the dessert(I usually don't eat dessert) - try have pretty darn good chilli and definitely unique taste to the food they serve- not too shabby at all- try the fried icecream bomb!
(4)Jasmine M.
Chips and salsa are homemade and fresh. So very, very good. I love the cheese enchiladas and shredded beef burrito - smothered. Rice is good, too. Always comes out super quick and the servers are fast and attentive. Used to be a regular at the one on Evans and they treat you like family. Always take out of town guests here. One of the best!!
(5)Joe C.
Went here for date night last week with the lady. I'll start by saying I'm not the biggest fan of Mexican food, so my taste buds are certainly not honed to whats amazing and whats just okay. But I thought this place was pretty good. I got the fajitas, which were very good actually. I asked if they could do a chicken/steak combo (which was not on the menu) and they gladly did it for me. Overall, they blow Chili's fajitas out of the water. I thought they were a bit pricey though considering they were like 6-8 dollars more expensive than other traditional items. The fair lady got one of their cuatro plates, with taco, enchilada, tostada and chile relleno. She seemed to enjoy herself and spoke nicely of her food. It looked very good. We got the chili con queso as well, which I really enjoyed. They use green chili instead of red, which was a welcome surprise. I'd have given them 4 stars for the food and service which were great, but I was disappointed when they didn't have my top two drink choices. I really wanted a coconut margarita because they are pretty much my favorite drink of all time. I then asked for one of their other specialty listed margaritas, and they were out as well. Also, some of the ceiling tiles were taken out, exposing the ceiling above where we sat. It wasn't the most appetizing environment, with cables and ducts exposed. Overall, great food and apps, but kind of a let down on environment and the unstocked bar. I'd definitely go back and give them another shot though.
(3)Torin I.
An enjoyable experience, excellent food, and excellent service. The atmosphere is mellow, and gives you a good vibe. Not overly done and there is nothing fake about this place. If your in the mood for something south of the border then look no further, this is the place to go.
(5)Roger G.
Good traditional Mexican food is served here along with some of the best texmex stuff as well. The green chile is vegetarian unless you order it as a plate, then they add fresh roasted carnitas. The shrimp coqtels are traditional and served drowned in a tomatoey sauce with fresh cilantro, onions, avocado and served with lime, hotsauce and crackers. This is the real deal for people looking for good food and the best margaritas in Denver (it's in their homemade mix). There are so many reasons to keep coming back.
(4)Felicia M.
Do you want GOOD AUTHENTIC MeXICAN food, GO here! nowhere else! you get a higher end feel but not the price. For this location its perfect!!! the Staff is friendly the bartender is great! the parking is kinda weird but you can park on the side. its a small place on the corner I dont understand why it seems so cramp, but the atmosphere is pleasant. lots of families come here. I have lived in the area for 3+ years now, and this is a hot spot.
(5)Sara K.
Worst Mexican I've had in a long time. Enchiladas had no flavor & black beans were straight from the can with no seasoning/flavors added. The manager had nothing to say to me. Won't be back
(1)Katie D.
Decided to check this place out last night because it was the only Mexican restaurant nearby open past 8 PM on a Sunday. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted and seated on the patio. The patio is small, only about 6 tables, but it made it feel very cozy, in a good way! The chips and salsa were delicious. I had a blue agave margarita- a little too sweet for me, but I'm a tequila fiend, so I prefer my margaritas to taste a little stronger of liquor :) we ordered a side of chile con queso for the table- wasn't anything to write home about. I had two cheese enchiladas with green chile and rice/beans on the side. This place is good for vegetarians- no lard used and the green chile is veggie, and it was delicious on the enchiladas! My entree was awesome- but since everything else was pretty average, it gets three stars from me.
(3)Kate S.
This review is for delivery of La Fogata from the website delivered dish. The fact that I can get a chimichanga delivered to my house = life changing. La Fogata teaming up with delivered dish is a match made in heaven. I love Mexican food. I love not driving. I super love having Mexican food delivered to me. It means I don't have to put on pants. And for the food - everything I have ordered from this place is solid. They have vegetarian green chili and refried beans (for those of you who avoid meat). I like to ask them to make the green chili extra spicy. Their tortilla chips are delicious as is their salsa (also a little spicy). We've also had their tacos, enchiladas, burritos, shrimp dishes, fajitas, chimichangas...nothing has disappointed.
(5)Andrew E.
I would recommend this place to anyone looking for great mexican food in a relaxed homey environment. The service was great, margaritas were extra boozey, and the food put me in a taste bud induced coma! Well worth the trip!!
(5)Alicia P.
This place is a local favorite but I was not overwhelmed. The green chili was rather bland and not at all spicy which was pretty disappointing. My husband ordered fajitas which were very generic and standard chain restaurant fare. My chili rellenos were also bland and greasy. The whole meal was disappointing. I'm not likely to return when there are better options around town. It isn't bad per se, just not great.
(3)Eva E.
La Fogata has been my favorite Mexican restaurant since forever. My best friend and I come here whenever we want to celebrate or need to cheer ourselves up. Best refried beans anywhere. The shrimp cocktail is perfect. Their pollo asado dish is my official comfort food. I just love this place!
(5)Adam J.
I like a place that I can get into without a friggin reservation on a Friday night, but there's always something in my head that says "maybe nobody's here because it sucks." That's not the case here; they just have enough room for a fairly sizable crowd. The atmosphere ain't much to look at. It's a pretty standard Mexican decor, if a little less kitschy than your typical suburban Mexican place. And the chips and salsa are adequate, but nothing to write home about. Also if you want multiple baskets of chips, there's a charge. It's not a problem I ran into, but it's a principle thing for me. The food and drinks were pretty darn good, though. My friend enjoyed her combination plate, which was covered in cheese and green salsa. I didn't taste it, but it sure looked good. My fajitas came out sizzling, with enough tortillas to eat the whole thing, and were very tasty, with a good mix of steak and vegetables. We both had giant margaritas, which were solid but not great. They weren't particularly strong, but they definitely had tequila in them. If anything, they were a little sweet for my tastes, a little too mixy. Overall though, this was a solidly above average Mexican meal at the last minute.
(4)Mallory S.
We love this place!!! Granted I have been going here since I was born because of my parents who found it but we still go when we get our whole family together! So about 25 years! First, the salsa is fantastic! You'll want more and more of it! Great house margaritas! Get the pitcher! My favorite item would be the chicken fajitas. Or the chicken fajitas burrito if I'm craving green chili. My husband always gets the shrimp tacos and literally craves them all the time so we always make a stop there for our Mexican cravings! The staff is always great and the manager or owner is always fantastic there too! They also do military discount!!! This place has fantastic Mexican food so defiantly try it out! The only thing negative I would say about this place is that they changed their happy hour to end at 6 instead of 7! They need to change it back!!!
(5)Marco L.
I like the restaurant when I go there for lunch but was disappointed to learn that they do not give chips and salsa on there to-go orders. I decided to go somewhere comparable or slightly better who do not charge extra. Too bad..... You won't have my to-go business.
(3)Stephanie R.
Worst Mexican food I've had in along time. Service was okay. Menu online is out dated in term of pricing.We won't go back ever.
(1)Franklin T.
Our family has been eating at La Fogata for many years. Whenever we visit my dad in Denver it is always a required stop. The food is consistently above average. I particularly like the enchiladas and burritos. If you order the guacamole or chile con queso it's good to be aware that they make them HOT! I love it, but if you don't want spicy, you will want to opt for something else. I also appreciate the family atmosphere and the pleasant service.
(4)Chris L.
I liked it, they had great service, sat down quickly and had decent food and great prices. So far the best mexican food ive had in Denver but the search always continues to find the best mexican food as always, oh ya big plus on the salsa and chips
(4)Vicki P.
We've been eating here for years and have never been disappointed. The building on the outside may seem a bit sketchy but the inside is warm, cheerful, spacious and welcoming. The service in this family owned and operated restaurant is prompt, friendly and attentive. I always look forward to starting off my meal with the crispy, never stale chips and the fresh salsa they make right in the kitchen. The zesty salsa has the perfect balance of sauce and not-too-big chunks of tomato, onion and cilantro with exactly the right amount of spicy kick. Yummy yum yum! Lately I've branched out a bit and tried some different menu items. I've most recently discovered a couple of the shrimp dishes: the light and healthy taquitos de camaron and the spicy and rich camarones rancheros, which are both delicious in their own way. My old tried and trues are the chicken flautas, smothered chicken burrito, and Combo #2. The Hubs favors the mole dishes. We also both think the refried beans are excellent. Drink prices are very reasonable. They have a full bar and feature an assortment of margaritas and other specialty concoctions. For your entertainment pleasure, there are some old school video games (Pac Man and Donkey Kong), a couple of TV's and a jukebox. You can even pick up a pack of chicle or some Mexican candy on your way out. Bring the kids or your drinking buddies - either way, it's all good.
(4)Terry L.
Last minute dinner idea on Valentines?? No problem getting a table and great service at La Fogata. As a well known Mexican food snob-- I was pleasantly surprised with just about everything about this place. Margaritas=yes and they are HUGE! 22oz. Chips and Salsa = yes great texture for their chips and the Salsa does not disappoint either. Over-sized traditional Mexican food entrees= yes The only drawbacks are 1.) Parking-especially in winter. Most of their limited parking was a slushy ice rink. and 2.) Decor. The building looks like an old early 70's era motel- now having office space upstairs and a "hidden Restaurant" on the bottom floor.
(4)Michele W.
Same great margaritas and I love their steak fajitas! I can't wait to go back and try their happy hous!
(5)Andy B.
Closed FORTY-FIVE minutes early tonight. I don't care how slow you are, that's garbage. Thanks for wasting my time, La Fogata.
(1)Terry R.
I like they place allot it reminds me of Arizona/Mexico , so really authentic food and service!
(5)Julian R.
Love the salsa here. I find ordering your taco in a flour tortilla to be an outstanding value!
(4)Tenacious P.
My first experience with La Fogata was back in 1996 at their location on Yale and Parker. When that location closed I started going to this one. The ambiance was a lot more authentic back in the 90's with Mexican families showing up to get their menudo fix. The place and the food is still the same after all these years. Great service. They start you with chips and salsa. My favorite part is you really don't know if your salsa is going to medium or mild. I've ordered just about everything on the menu and would recommend just about everything. My favorite is their mole.
(5)Benjamin M.
As most of the previous reviews say, this is a family-owned Mexican restaurant offering a nice menu of traditional Mexican dishes. I've eaten lunch here three times within the past two months, and all three lunches have been satisfactory. I really like the salsa--it's considerably spicier than typical Mexican restaurant salsa and it always tastes very fresh. The chips aren't too salty--points there, too. The first time I ordered the fajita burrito and the last two times I ordered the taquitos de carne adobada. The food has always been flavorful and fresh. Even after three visits, it's a little ambiguous whether you're supposed to pay via your server or at the counter (Cracker Barrel-style). I think they prefer you give your card/cash to your server instead of taking the ticket to the counter. The building is kinda weird, but--hey--it's a casual Mexican restaurant, so that works for me. No complaints. This is a great little Mexican lunch spot. I'm sure I'll be making many return visits.
(4)Barb B.
I was very pleasantly surprised by my experience at La Fogata last night, especially considering that the building it's in looks incredibly sketchy and kind of like a motel from the 70s. I guess I learned not to judge a book by its cover, or rather not to judge a restaurant by its bizarre and unappealing building. But anyway on to the experience of dining at La Fogata.... First of all the food was awesome. I had tacos al carbon and they were bursting with steak (literally I had to eat half the steak with a fork because it wouldn't fit in the tacos), and they were so nicely flavored. I usually like Mexican food because it's fried stuff covered in cheese and this was not fried stuff with cheese at all, and I still liked it a lot, which is amazing to me. The tacos came with really nice, fresh guacamole as well as some very spicy salsa, yummo!!! I thought the service was great, granted it was not very busy but our waiter was always around and the food came out super quickly. It also appeared that it hadn't sat around at all, it was very fresh. I am not 100% sure I am on board with going four stars for La Fogata but I am giving them the benefit of the doubt, and I will refine and update this review after I have the chance to try their food again.... hopefully soon, now that I've written this all I can think about is trying some fried stuff with cheese...
(4)Samantha H.
Near my place...cute spot with great service! Really enjoy the huevos rancheros! Good Mexican food!
(4)LeAnn M.
Very nice staff. Yummy chips and salsa. The salsa is smokey and spicy. We ordered the super nacho appetizer with shredded beef and they were delicious. I really liked that some of the combos don't have beans and rice, they're just a sampling of their entrees. Perfect for me as I don't eat beans and rice. The good stuff was the chili relleno (either soft or fried is good) and their cheese enchiladas. The numero seis also came with a guacamole tostada and a ground beef taco. While the guacamole was yummy the tostada and taco were bland...added lots of salsa and that helped. Enjoy!
(4)Jennifer W.
Whoa, how on earth does this place have so many positive reviews! We had dinner here tonight and it was dismal!!! First of all the place was half empty and we were seated at a table right in front of the door---why do they do that to people, that should be reserved for the last party seated before the place is full! We ordered and in about 5 minutes our food was out, wow, fast! It went downhill from there! The food was awful, the ground beef in my chimichanga tasted like taco bell, my husband had a relleno and a tamale, he said his were disgusting (he almost never has anything negative to say about a place) my daughter took 3 bites of her food and wouldn't eat any more. Trying to redeem the place I ordered sopapillias---huge mistake. In my understanding, sopapillas are fluffy light pillows, these were heavy, doughy brown things. They were either whole wheat or mixed with lots of cinnamon, they were so blah, we didn't even finish them---I have never in my life left a sopapilla on a table until tonight. The bill came and I don't know how it came to $30 for 1 entree, 1 child's meal, a $3 margarita and my husbands 2 a la carte items----wow, awful food and completely overpriced, they have definitely received the "will never go back and will tell everyone not to bother" status in my book.
(1)Elle N.
I went here again today and there was a guy working who was unbelievably rude. I was handed my Togo order, I looked in the bag to quickly look if everything is there and I didn't see the green chili, so I asked about it. He told me it was on top of the burrito, I explained it was supposed to be on the side but it was ok. So he grabbed the bag from my hands and said he would remake it, I explained again it's no big deal but he continued to the kitchen. I should have asked for my money back the second he grabbed it from me like that. Less than two minutes later he came back out and handed me the bag. When I got in my car I opened everything up to find my order was completely wrong. I had asked for a shredded beef burrito with rice and cheese both inside and on top and every other time they run it trough the oven to heat it up. What did I get? A tortilla rolled up with hardly any beef, some rice and no cheese at all. I've been here three times and two out of the three I've been treated very poorly. The only time I've felt welcome or anyone has been nice was my first visit, when the very nice bartender was there. That's also the only time my order was correct , maybe because he's the one who took it. I'm not sure if I'll be back but if I do go, I doubt I'd stay unless the bartender was there. Everyone else has an attitude problem and can't seem to get a very simple order correct.
(1)Rhonda P.
La Fogata always comes to the rescue when we need a quick lunch at work. Everthing we try is fresh and delicious, and ready in 15 minutes. Ole!
(5)Cale G.
Mediocre Mexican food.
(2)Tiffany C.
The chile rellenos are wrapped with a wonton like consistency. Very chewy and almost inedible. Worst relleno I've ever had and I order them all over town. The chicken and steak fajitas were nothing special. Good, but not award winning like they claim. Service was good and staff friendly. Chile verde ok. Ok house marg.
(2)Jessica S.
La Fogata...I could sing many an ode to this place...but I have a horrible voice, so... It's located in an old motel, and I must admit, the first time my hubby brought me here (this was in the pre-patio era), I was wondering if a tetanus shot booster was in order. However, if you want awesome Mexican food, you will not go wrong. The food is freshly made, cheap, and in the 10+ years I've been coming here, I've only had one bad service experience. To anyone who dines out a lot, you know that's pretty amazing. The tortilla chips are homemade, crispy and delicious. The salsa is the best in town. It's WAY better than the salsa at their sister restaurant in the DTC area. I think they assume the gringos can't take the heat in the DTC area, so they water it down...They're probably right about that, but I'm glad they kept it real on Evans, because that's where home is. Contrary to my first impression, the interior is bright and cheerful. The patio is fun to sit at in the warmer months. I can't think of anything on the menu I haven't enjoyed. The margaritas and specialty drinks aren't too shabby either. When family and friends come into town, this is one of the places I take them. My father is a good ol' Southern boy, and I swear the only reason he visits Colorado is because of La Fogata. This place keeps families together y'all. All of the staff have been there for years, and they're wonderful people. This is a great neighborhood restaurant, and I feel so fortunate to live nearby. If this place ever closes, I will probably sell my house and follow them to where ever they go to next. It is that good.
(5)cindy b.
That was a kickin' Caldo de camerones I had at this place. It came with steamin' hot tortillas too. The Tamales are good and one of the other dinner guests swears by their Chiles Rellenos. Another had the Menudo (soup with tripe and hominy) and said it was good but not outstanding--he likes it muy muy picante The service is very friendly and very attentive. I think it's family run and the prices are right. However, the individual margarita I had the first time seemed to be made with a much better tequila than the pitcher of margaritias we got this time. I thought the pitcher margaritas we had this time were nearly nasty, and gave me a wicked headache even though I had two teeny tiny glasses. Maybe they just had too much liquer. I think if you consume it, it should taste good to you. So even though the pitcher had the potential to set five adults in a spin, I'd prefer one well made one next time. The price difference isn't that much. Still, it's a good place to take a group or your family for some Mexican. Plus they play the music that makes you feel like you are out of the 'States. That adds a lot to the atmosphere.
(3)Sara P.
This place has tasty mexican food with attentive service. The queso appetizer was so-so; I would stick to just the chips and salsa next time because their salsa is awesome! My fiance and I shared the steak fajita dish, and I am glad we did because it was enormous. We could have used an extra tortilla (it only came with three), but that is easy enough to remedy. The house margarita was also good, and pink! I sampled the shrimp soup, and it was smoky with chili flavor and quite tasty.
(4)Shawn N.
I've always passed this place up as the location and signage suggest a possible dive. This is where Best buy Reward Zone Points came to the rescue. I get points towards Best Buy geekery for eating at select restaurants and La Fogata is on that list. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The inside was very low key, "warm", clean, and inviting. They had an interesting selection of modern Mexican Pop and R&B playing which was a nice, unique touch to what is so often a very tired theme. We had to two people taking care of us so service was on the spot. They have a decent drink menu and my "La 1800 Margarita" was perfectly mixed! The food by and large was tasty and interesting. The only things stopping a fifth star is that some of the appetizers/sides/deserts seemed bought in instead of prepared from scratch as it should be in any respectable restaurant. Specifically, the Rice and the Tortilla chips had suspect texture and taste. The deserts while tasty all seemed a bit stale.
(4)Sarah S.
I have been eating here for years. The food is so flavorful. The burritos, salsa, huevos, carnitas and mole are my favorites! Margaritas are tasty too.
(4)Jason J.
When you approach this place, you're wondering if it's really the leasing office of some apartments upstairs (I think it's apartments upstairs.) But you soon realize you've walked into your average Mexican Restaurant. I had heard good things from a few friends, and decided to check it out. The ladyfriend and I went here with a couple friends of ours to carb up before a bike hike the next day. Ahh who am I kidding, we wanted margaritas and meat and tortillas covered in cheese. We ordered a Pitcher of marg, delightfully pink, and helpfully inexpensive at the happy hour price of $16. The drinks were decent, though not as strong as I had hoped, but certainly got me my margarita fill. Service was attentive, but not overbearing. Except for this one server who came up and specifically addressed the ladyfriend, sitting next to me, on the inside of the booth, and asked if she was having an okay time (twice) and asked if we had eaten yet. He was just a random other server walking the floor, and happened to want to see if she was having an okay time. It was...odd. He left us alone after we said we were fine, just waiting for our food to arrive, and I made sure to have an extra big smile on my face, and a fake laugh coming out of my mouth every time he looked over, just so he wouldn't bother us again. The food came out a little slow, but they had a pair of 10tops come in before us, so that kind of backed things up a bit. I had a beef burrito with beans and rice, which was decent. They skimped a bit on the beans and rice (which cost an extra $1.50 or so) and the burrito was a little bland. I was hoping it would have a little bit more to it. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food, and we all kind of agreed that it was good, but it wasn't the best Mexican we'd ever had (which seems to mirror some of the other reviews here on Yelp.) I won't hesitate to go back, because it wasn't bad at all -- but after visiting La Fogata I was only able to add another "good but not great" mexican food restaurant to my mental list. I'm still searching for that amazing mexican food place here in Denver...Someday I'll find you my pretty, someday I will... But in the meantime, you can probably find me occasionally at La Fogata having a margarita pitcher by myself and eating a chimi.
(3)Kim S.
This food is AWESOME! I have been going here for years, and am never disappointed. The beer is cold, the margaritas are tasty (not too much lime) and what ever I get on the menu is divine. I've had the carnitas, which is always stellar, but lately I got turned on to the chile rellenos. O M G. Get them crispy, that is the way to go. Their salsa they put on the table for the chips is spicy, and that is the way I like it! Good flavors married together, along with those thin crispy tortilla chips that I am sure they make there. I've seen the same staff there for a long time. Friendly, prompt, and always with a smile. I don't think there is much turn around for some of the key people. What a great place. I took my dad here once when he was in town and now we have to go every time he comes back for a visit. I would, too.
(5)Caroline C.
We really enjoyed dinner at La Fogata tonight. Complementary chips and salsa were great (really nice spicy, if rather salty, salsa). I had the La Fogata Special Combo ($10.75. This was a ground beef taco, a cheese enchilada, a tamale, an avocado tostada, plus a bowl of green chili, a flour tortilla, refried beans, rice, and lots of lettuce, tomato and onion.) Apart from the avo tostada which was salty to the point of being inedible, everything was really tasty and fresh. The chili could have done with some meaty chunks imo but it was bursting with flavor. I'm really not a tamale fan but it too was stuffed full of flavorful shredded beef. He said his Relleno Plate ($7.45 for 2, plus $1.50 for beans and rice) wasn't the best ever but was still very good. Service was outstanding. Though I would give the flan ($3) a miss next time (too sweet for my tastes, and the texture was rather lumpy), this was probably the best Mexican meal I've had in Denver so far. I have to go back to try their fish tacos... 4.5 stars!
(4)Stefan R.
Decent food overall. Not the best in Denver or anything but the order comes out fast and taste fresh. The staff is very friendly and refills drinks quickly.
(4)Beth W.
Wow! What a great family-owned restaurant! The salsa is my favorite in Denver and they have $3 Happy Hour margs that are fantastic, too! I had the grilled fish tacos and was really surprised! The fish was SUPER fresh and tender...topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese and avocado! It's my new favorite dish! Thanks for the fast and friendly service! I will absolutely be back...OFTEN!
(5)Danielle B.
I love Mexican food and many places are just okay. This place is amazing and tasty. I read reviews and we finally decided to go because everyone seems to really like it. The flavors in the food are great, mostly because of the green chili they smother everything in. YUM! This is our new favorite mexican place. The price was right and the portions were big. My husband had a margarita and said it was delicious (I'm preggos so I didn't try it). They had a good variety of kids food and my 3 year old enjoyed it just as much as we did. The atmosphere is, of course, a little tacky, but sometimes that means they have good authentic food : ) Service was good. Chimichangas do not hold up quite as well in to-go boxes.
(5)Frank T.
What a weird and funny location. I thought I was walking into a hotel or the leasing office of some budget rental apartments. And then there were banquets! I heard of La Fogata from a friend who had recommended them based on their ingenious "stock-market" special. Unfortunately the special is now gone and there were no other appetizing specials on the night "we" visited. First off the bat were some chips and salsa and a pitcher of the house margs. The margs were rosy pink and really tasty. Not overly sweet and not toxic alcohol taste. The salsa at La Fogata is really smoky and not at all watery. It is more of a burnt umber in color rather than the traditional bright red or neon. I ordered the "seis" combo and my dining companion ordered the fish tacos. My chile relleno was crispy and satisfying although not the best I have ever had. I appreciated all of the mounds of lettuce tomato and cheese that surrounded each of the items in the "seis." Gotta love Mexican food with lots'o' lettuce to help up the I am eating healthy quotient. The fish tacos were really tasty and uniquely fully breaded. A mix between traditional English fish and chips and surfers on the Mexican Rivera. Deep fry and cover in a tasty spicy mayo with lots of lettuce and tomato. "healthy" yum! All in all I would say that La Fogata offers tasty Mexican food in a rather unique setting. I would love to know what transpires upstairs. It is not the best Mexican restaurant ever, but it is not a pure disappointment either.
(3)Gregory M.
Recommendation: A classic family operated local Mexican restaurant with a variety of traditional dishes. One member of the family is even a former Colorado Beauty Queen. Food: My favorite thing at this Mexican restaurant is the salsa. It always tastes fresh and has the spicy kick that I like. Overall I've liked pretty much everything I've had here except for a couple of times when I ventured too far out. The burritos, chimichangas, specialty tacos, and chile rellenos are all great. And while I like the spicy green chile smothered on everything, I didn't appreciate it when I just ordered a bowl of it by itself for lunch. It was just too thick to appreciate as a soup. And one time I thought I would try a chicharone burrito since I know someone who raves about them, but I wish I hadn't - too crunchy and chewy for me. Another little tip if you like it spicy - get the roasted jalapenos to go with your meal! Service: They have traditional table side service from the waitstaff who all speak Spanish and my primary server has always spoken English as well. They are friendly and it never takes too long for your food to come out. Price: Prices are inline with what you would pay at other Mexican restaurants. You can get out of here for around $10 if you just want a burrito or a couple of tacos. Ambiance: It's in an aging building, but they try to spruce up the place with some murals, Mexican artwork, and of course your favorite music from south of the border. Kids: I'm not sure if they have a dedicated kids menu, but you definitely wouldn't be out of place if you brought your kids as long as they like traditional Mexican fare.
(4)David B.
Solid Mexican fare, pretty spicy for an American place. A little overpriced for a place with no tablecloths, but definitely worth a visit. Perhaps the best guacamole I've ever had!
(3)KC K.
After three visits in the last few months I'm a huge fan of this place. Great food fast and hot. Friendly staff that keeps us happy.
(4)Jen M.
Having traveled all day and being new to the Denver Mexican scene we were excited to try La Fogota. We were pleasantly surprised to find the restaurant had seating for us with no reservations at 7:45 pm on a Friday night. We were promptly seated and served our drinks. With a little guidance from our waitress we ordered our entrees. We started with an order of chips and guacamole. The guacamole had some interesting spices but was way too spicy to enjoy. Red Flag. For our entrees, I ordered the ever popular chimichanga with carnitas and beans, I was disappointed with my entree for several reasons: the the carnitas tasted more like a boiled helping of pork and the chimi lacked the essential crispy outer shell, and was lacking overall flavor. The other entree ordered was the special burrito with shredded beef. Though the burrito was tasty overall the shredded beef was very spicy. Could it have been a barbacoa and just not listed as such? Don't get me wrong we enjoy well seasoned and spicy food. Just don't throw on chili peppers for the sake of it.
(2)Callie B.
This little mexican restaurant has undergone many changes since the days of my youth when everything was watery and bland. I guess it got by on the cute waitress for about 5 years - she won Miss Colorado, FYI. (You can look that up, its true.) Recently, I heard the menu had been revamped so I allowed my parents to drag me there and man, am I glad I did! I had the grilled veggie burrito with an al a carte crispy chile relleno. Aside from the burrito being wayyyyy too big (which is okay, more yummy for tomorrow's breakfast omelette) and the relleno being too heavily breaded, I was melted into that eyelids-half-closed, "mmmm" state as my olfactory nerve transmitted signals of pleasure. The relleno had good cheese - not the kind that turns to liquid in the middle - and was of an acceptable spiciness. The guacamole is also worth mentioning. Although there was only a large dollop atop my burrito, it was the real deal - home made, chunky, and tasted like avocado more than salt or garlic or some other ingredient which is common with mexican restaurants that don't invest in quality avocados. I also sampled the grilled fish tacos (tilapia) that my mom ordered. They were not watery or bland, but light and fresh and flavorful. Definitely the pick on the menu if you don't want something heavy. Alas, I was hungry, and had to consume 2/3 of a burrito and a relleno, but I definitely see myself ordering these in the future. Service is always excellent, and ambiance (inside) has improved since my last visit many years ago. Sure its in an odd location, but all the best places are. I like to pay for good food, not a fancy facade that doesn't deliver... if I wanted that, I'd drive .4 miles to Hacienda Colorado (oh, please do read that review and stay away) Also, I commend this restaurant for its ownership of Pac-man and Donkey-Kong original arcades. Be careful not to miss them, they blend into the bright, colorful decor and you may be distracted by the nearby novelty candies for sale at the hostess station. So burn on, La Fogata, I shall return with friends next time!
(4)Riza H. C.
Spicy chillies we got! Some like it super hot some like it NOT! Nevertheless, all of us of 22 peeps have a jolly good time, be it drinking the PINK magaritas, the beer etc etc... plus with the good company I have tonight, 3.5 thumbs up for this place. Since I am a non-drinker myself I just have the lemonade. For dinner, I order their Camarones Rancheros, which comes with Shrimp, Spicy Salsa and Rice. I omit the beans coz I am not so into beans. This was my 1st trip to a sit down Mexican restaurant and having something that I can at least "swallow" or something I would like. All in all, I like the spicy shrimp salsa combination though their rice could do better. I feel to compare their rice with WAHOOs, no offence La Fogata... I would love to return here for a good dinner meal with Sean one day and see what he thinks about the menu. Peace out.
(3)corey c.
A new approach tonight as I'm going to eat and Yelp at the same time. Since my wife is still full from her lunch/shopping excursion with a friend I'm left to fend for myself. I've been wanting to try La Fogata for a while since I drive past it weekly on Evans. I've opted for take out and ordered when I arrive....Top shelf burrito - Asada with sour cream. My guy tells me this will take a little longer to prepare....no worries I'll sit and have a Stella at the bar while I wait. I find out that this location, the original, just celebrated it's 20th birthday this month. I was very surprised, just as everyone else posting reviews, to find the inside of this restaurant very cozy and inviting. I had envisioned a place where I like the food but didn't want to stick around and eat there, my mistake. I'll be back to dine here for sure. Time for the first bite.........as mentioned I opted for a single burrito no sides just carne, beans, tortilla smothered in green chile and sour cream...lettuce too but I don't pay attention to lettuce. Healthy portion.....nice flavor. The steak is very tender, easy to eat and flavorful. Each bite after is of the same thought very good, traditional and delicious. I'm a self proclaimed gringo so the heat is just right for me, I can feel it, it lingers but I can deal. Still clears the sinuses though....I'm good...I'm alright. Half way done and I'm thrilled to have gone to La Fogata. I think if you're looking for traditional this is it. I'm looking forward to actually dining in the establishment soon. Happy 20th - La Fogata!!!
(4)Destry L.
I got a bland burrito "supreme" with chicken and my husband got three pork(which were fatty) tacos for almost $12!!!! This place is too expensive for what you get.
(2)BJ and the Cass A.
Super-friendly and attentive staff. Come during happy hour (4-7) and a pitcher of house margaritas is only $16. Other happy hour specials include $3 appetizers with the purchase of alcohol. The chips and salsa are really fantastic and arrived at our table mere moments after we were seated. I can see how parking might get tight on busy nights, and the overall building looks a bit run down, but the food is fantastic, portions are great, and the atmosphere is really friendly. Can't beat that most nights of the week.
(4)Darin M.
Food is ok. Not great at all. We would've considered three stars but for the price. There are many other better places that are less expensive. This place is way over priced
(2)Geoff J.
My gf and I headed here last weekend as it was near her house and we were craving some Mexican. The place was very busy but we were seated promptly by friendly staffers. We had to wait a couple minutes before being greeted by our server, but the place was busy so we cut her some slack. By this time we were ready to order our food, so she took both our food and drink orders. The drinks were slow to come out and we were told they only had one bartender working. Thats where they lost a star in my book. Now onto the food.....Amazing!!! I saw they claim to have "top shelf burritos" so I decided to put that claim to the test with a steak burrito. This burrito was probably the 2nd best I've ever had. Honestly it was so good I didn't even think about talking during the meal, I just downed that burrito. I felt like Jerry Seinfeld eating soup from the soup nazi. My gf got the "Award winning fajitas". Which award, I don't care. It deserved one for sure. The steak was cooked just right and had amazing flavor and tenderness. The entire meal was out of this world for the price we paid. I will definitely be going back. This is the type of food one would base their next apartment location on.
(4)Christina D.
La Fogata = YUM! We have been to La Fogata a few times in the past month and haven't been disappointed once. The food and the service is very consistant...and it's been busy everytime (no wait, but a full house). I love the salsa and the chips aren't bad. The chimichangas are pretty good, and my fiancee is a fan of the combo plates. I highly recommend this place!
(4)Courtney M.
typical Mexican food - but then what's to complain about that? I got the combo with the smothered bean burrito, cheese enchilada, and chile relleno. they asked if I wanted my relleno soft or crispy - I obviously said crispy. it was basically an egg roll!! you could barely taste anything other than the egg roll dough. the most bogus chile relleno I've ever had (and it was TINY). bean burrito was fine, and the enchilada was pretty amazing I have to admit - wish I got three of those. fast service, not too crowded on a friday night, and good vibe
(3)Krista H.
I eat lunch here at least once a week. The staff is friendly, remembers regular customers, and service is always fast and efficient. They have some of the best chicken dishes I have had in denver mexican restaurants. Chips and salsa are fresh, and the margs are AMAZING! I should also say this- I once left a very very expensive one of a kind bracelet on my table. It took me over a day to figure out where I had left it, and when I finally called, they had hung onto it for me. Support local businesses!
(5)K Rachel L.
Dont be turned off by the building - its in the lower level of a creepy motel. Their food is amazing! Very authentic and cheap! The staff is also very nice. Good quality and atmosphere.
(5)Zach V.
I love La Fogata. Why only 4 satrs you ask? Because while the food is great I think 5 stars are for the best food of a specific type of genre. La Fogata will knock your socks off but it won't knock you out. The staff here is super friendly. I go with some regularity but not excessively so and whenever I walk in there is a familiar face to greet me and ask how I'm doing. Is it like Cheers? Maybe just a little bit and honestly while I don't require it, it's an awesome perk to have nice, friendly, and good people helping you chow down some great Mexican food. The food is excellent. Their portions are huge, their prices are amazingly cheap, and the selection is quite varied. The chips and salsa are some of my favorite I've had around. Both complement each other perfectly and I always find it hard not to over eat on chips and not be able to properly attack the food I ordered. Some of my favorites are the chili relleno (made crispy), the shredded beef burrito, the chili relleno burrito, the carna asada burrito, taquitos al carbon, and their fajitas. Their flan is pretty good to polish off your meal as well. Great food, service, and prices.
(4)Dmitri T.
This is by far my most favorite Mexican restaurant ever. We were a little afraid to go in at first, but we were taken back on how super clean it was compared to what we thought we were about to encounter. The salsa was amazing. It had a little kick but not too much. My wife is a punk when it comes to hot stuff, and she enjoyed it so I know the kick was perfect. I had the Dos combo and it was incredible. I'm not a fan of shredded beef, so I was overjoyed to see that they offered seasoned ground beef. The staff was super friendly and I had so many margaritas that the bartender was sure to acknowledge us on the way out. We will definitely be back often. Also, I bet their sales are going to increase 10 times since someone is opening a weed stop upstairs from them.
(5)Jared G.
I had not been in here for probably two years and the bartender remembered me. Some of the same servers have been working there for damn near ten years. Once upon a time, I saw a woman that looked and dressed a lot like my third grade teacher sitting a few tables over, and the margaritas convinced me I should go and see if it really was her. It was. They have good smothered chicken burritos (the green chile is a little spicy but not at all dangerous and doesn't have big pieces of pork in it), which is probably pretty gringo as far as Mexican food goes, but since I'm a gringo it works out. I like the tamales here, and I've enjoyed the ceviche and the carne asada tacos in the past. I miss this place.
(4)Matthew S.
This was the very first place I ate at in Denver upon moving here. After three days of driving from Brooklyn, NY any real meal would have been welcome, but this place was actually an wonderful surprise. I have been back since that first night and it was equally enjoyable. The food is delicious. The only thing that I would say needs to be improved is one particular server, he was a little forgetful on each visit.
(4)Rebecca M.
My husband I both love Mexican food and were very excited that this place is less than a 5 minute drive from our place. The chips and salsa were pretty good. Nothing extraordinary, but hey they were free and yummy. We ordered the Carnitas Tacos and Shrimp Tacos. They were both very good but I was quite partial to the Carnitas Tacos. They were delicious and just what I was expecting. I love cheese but was glad that there wasn't any on it. I hate "Mexican" restaurants that serve everything dripping with salsa/sauce and cheese. My margarita was also very good. It was sort of pink like there was cranberry or pink grapefruit juice in it. I forgot to ask. I don't exactly know how the system works, but they give different discounts depending on the day. I wasn't going to ask questions if they were going to give me a discount.
(4)Betty B.
One of the best chimichangas I've ever had! A must get, I've been getting since high school. Lol
(5)Daniel L.
Just moved to Denver from Georgia. I'm not a big fan of green chili smothering everything. I've tried several Tex Mex restaurants around and La Fogata may be one of the the best options. Where I'm still in search for the best I would definitely recommend this place. Oh and my girlfriend loooooves their Margaritas. They also have Donkey Kong and Pac-Man Arcade Cabinets, which is freaking awesome.
(4)Don D.
The best Mexican in Denver. We were a party of 4 and everyone had a great meal. My son lives in Denver and he said he will be back. Have a designated driver and buy the pitcher of margs. Service was very attentive. The funky building added to a great night.
(4)Christina S.
The best Shrimp Fajitas in town! When i think Mexican i come here!
(4)Tom L.
Pretty good Mexican food all around, awesome tamales are a must!
(4)Katie C.
De-licious! Always get the numero cinco and love it EVERY time! Large dinner plates and tasty chips and salsa are FREE! The Margaritas are good, I wouldn't suggest the house margarita, but there are many other options I dig. (Top Shelf is my fav!)
(5)H A.
I tried this Mexican restaurant twice because of the positive reviews and its close proximity to home. The first time we shared their "award winning" chicken fajitas and were sadly disappointed. The bell peppers were drenched in grease, and the chicken bland and dry. We each ordered a specialty margarita . . . perhaps these could dampen our perception and save the meal. They seriously need to take down the triple sec a few notches - not even dessert has a right to be this sweet! We picked and sipped for a while, but ultimately went home early and made our own dinner. A couple weeks later, too lazy to drive far from home, we decided to give it another go. I ordered a beef burrito smothered in chile sauce. Again, bland and unmemorable. Maybe we just didn't try the better dishes, but will the third time be a charm? Hard to say, since there are so many better options out there.
(2)Kristen D.
Quick friendly service. Reasonable prices and good food.
(4)Jeff T.
Went here over the weekend for lunch. Overall it was very enjoyable. Salsa was spicy so the kids couldn't eat it but the waiter was kind enough to get us queso cheese they use for the kids nachos. I had the combo sies and it was very good. Will have to go back and try it again.
(3)Brad F.
Great neighborhood place to eat. The wait staff is friendly (They always recognize that we've been in before) and attentive. Food come out of the kitchen very fast and hot. Fairly typical Mexican food. I like their salsa and green chile. I like the guacamole and the chile rellanos. Mostly I get the Huevos a la Mexicana which is eggs, tomatoes and jalapenos smothered in green chile served with rice, beans and tortillas. Muy Bien!
(4)Bruce A.
Been coming to La Fogata for years and it has to be one of the most consistently great Mexican restaurants around. From the crispy rellenos to awesome burritos to surprisingly outstanding seafood dishes... nothing disappoints. Now when I arrive, I'm greeted by name and feel I'm surrounded by friends. This is a not to be missed neighborhood spot!
(5)Juan C.
My experience at La Fogata was, overall, good. 3 of us went for a friend's birthday. The food was good, though my chile relleno was a little over-crispy. But, such is life. I can't complain about the food otherwise, and the prices were fine. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food. Nothing was spicy to speak of... which is, of course, good and bad. The service was excellent. My big complaint was the margarita. Their pre-prepared "house" mix is not a traditional margarita mix, and includes some amount of berry flavor. I couldn't get a straight answer out of my server as to what it was (first "no berries", then "cranberry"...). Regardless, it was certainly not the standard sweet orange and lime flavor (i.e. triple sec + lime juice). Though not a true connoisseur, I am a margarita purist. When I order a margarita, it should not have any berry flavor (unless I order it that way!). Sadly, I ended up with a mediocre mojito (clearly made with peppermint schnapps...). So, go for the food. Avoid the margaritas. Unless you happen to like berry margaritas. Then, by all means, drink lots!
(4)Jason R.
I have been going here since I was a kid and my family had frequented the restaurant in numerous times prior to that. Great prices, the same friendly faces time and time again. *Between you and me, they make a margarita so tasty, its said the most interesting man in the world once asked for the recipe!
(4)andy t.
Started eating here in about 1993 when it was a funky hole in the wall with the best shredded beef burritos I've ever had, and 3 for about $7. Since they expanded and upgraded the appearance, the prices went up and portions went down (maybe also 'cause its 10-15 years later). My main complaint though is that they've changed the really shredded, marinated beef to unmarinated pot roast chunks. Maybe I'll switch to their tacos al carbon. This is still a favorite, haven't found one better. Great service. Good prices. Family friendly. Miss the old LaFogata, but times change and more gringo-friendly atmosphere probably brings more Denverites.
(4)Pablo E.
chips and salsa with breakfast (hell yes) tejano and ranchero music dominates their jukebox (muy bueno) old school pac man arcade game (rock show) the food is really good and a nice change of pace for breakfast.
(5)Eric S.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in town still. They have the best salsa in town and the food are good and plenty. I usually get the burrito plate, because it is big enough to fill any stomach, add a side of green chili and some drinks makes for a great dinner. You can't go wrong here
(5)Karissa W.
Been going to this place since I was a kid way before it got expanded. I love there food. Very reasonable prices, the drinks are great & the atmosphere is family friendly.
(4)Ted S.
People get put out here about the '70s decor, not getting good seating, tight parking. That means nothing, not when you go to a place like this for a Mex food and margie fix. Thing is, to rate as a return you have to have some consisent variables; namely, price and quality. Sadly, La Fogata doesn't cut it with these essentials...not by my reckoning. Years ago the food was OK, not great, but not a bad value. Like Bennie's before they cut back portions and jacked up the prices. La Fogata fell out of favor with me a few years back because the food seemed so damned greasy. Seriously. So I went back last night for a readeux. This time my Combo Number Dos -- beef burrito, beef taco and cheese enchilada....was over-the-top salty. So much so my blood pressure went up, and I'm usually not that sensitive to this. I cannot for the life of me understand how they can get away with seasoned beef tasting like it was stewed in salt water. Oh yeah: we asked for no salt on our margies. Of course they were loaded up. I can't see ever going back here. The simple basics are just ingorned. Hasta la vista, Fogata.
(2)Chris H.
I love this restaurant. Good Food. Great Price. Good People. Mexican food that is spicy and plentiful.
(5)A T.
Can't beat it for consistently tasty Mex for the whole family--in fact, it feels very much like family there. Servers are kind and attentive, restaurant is clean and kid friendly. Have taken many friends there and all want to go back. The location is a bit odd and the salsa could be a little more predictable.
(4)Trace O.
This is, hands down, my favorite Mexican restaurant in Colorado. It's the good stuff: green chile, refried beans, and all matter of old school Mexican ingredients. You may find healthy black bean-oriented Chipolte-type stuff here, but I wouldn't know because I don't order it. Truth is, I always order the same thing: two beef/bean burritos smothered with cheese and green chile. After inevitably filling up on the outstanding chills and salsa, I eat one of these massive burritos, and take the other home. It's just as good, if not better the next day. My pals tell me the other stuff is great too, including the margaritas. The staff is wonderful as well, and the service is excellent. I'll never forget how I found this place. A friend was visiting from out of town, and it was New Years Eve. She had her heart set on celebrating the evening with some karaoke. I had my heart set on...well, pretty much anything other than listening to tone-deaf drunks "singing." The only place we knew of that featured this horrific practice on a nightly basis was Armida's, an awful Mexican eatery...rather more of a drinkery...much more of drinkery, on Lincoln and 8th. The deal was that if I agreed to suffer a few hours of karaoke early in the evening, we could do anything I wanted for the rest of the night. Well, pretty much anything. She wasn't that kind of friend, though I wished she was, but that's another story. I chose my favorite activity, miniature golf. Now this was December, so the options for putt putt were next to none. The only way to play mini golf on this cold winter's night was indoors at FunPlex, or whatever it's now called. I braved a couple hours of the sad spectacle at Armida's, but wasn't about to touch the food. My friend and I had met there, so the plan now was to drive to her mom's house, and take just one car to mini-golf. On the way, I'd grab a bite to eat. My friend doesn't really eat, but that's another story as well. I stopped into the Noodles and Co. on Broadway and 6th for some takeout. What happened next was Serlingesque in its Twilight Zone-ness. I scanned the menu board for my usual favorite, a pasta dish with pesto and chicken. I couldn't find it, so when I got to the register, I described the item to the staffer. Blank stare. "Really, I order it all the time, it's got chicken and pesto..." Nothing. She informed me that they had no such thing, and Noodles and Co. doesn't serve anything containing chicken. I was so flustered and confused that I started to ask again, nothing came out but air, and I left in a daze. I drove toward the house, and saw this unassuming Mexican restaurant on Evans just east of Holly. I had to get something, so I gave it a try. 100 or so visits and six years later, I'm no longer a full-time Colorado resident, but I remain hooked on La Fogata, and I still order the burrito plate that I first enjoyed on New Years Eve, 2003. By the way, I have since enjoyed Pesto Cavatappi (I found out what it was called) at that same Noodles and Co., sans the militant vegetarian cashier.
(5)David L.
Love this place. Friendly welcoming staff. You can always get a table without reservation. Service fast. Our favorite is the shrimp fajitas.
(5)Jonathan S.
I had high hopes for this restaurant after seeing that it had received 4 stars on Yelp but my dinner here was average to below average. While the chile relleno was good our group's other dishes (chicken mole, chicken enchilada, bean and cheese burrito) all disappointed.
(2)