Elote’s Cafe
2600 East St,Unit G, Golden, CO, 80401
Elote’s Cafe Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Golden for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2600 East St,Unit G
Golden, CO, 80401 - Phone (720) 638-3380
- Website https://www.elotescafegolden.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:30 am - 7:3
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
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 : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Barbara F.
Just had another great meal at Elote's cafe. Today I had the Tilapia cooked in coconut milk, with fried yuca and sweet plaintains. Yum! My husband had a Cachapa with beef, black beans and plantains (this is our favorite dish so far, with more to try). The staff is always friendly, and today we met Luis, the proprietor. He clearly has a passion for cooking and for ensuring that his customers enjoy their meal. We'll definitely be back.
(5)Rebecca B.
The food was very good and freshly prepared. Looks like a hole in the wall kind of place if you don't know it's there: don't be fooled by the outside appearance. The owner is friendly and very eager to make your meal perfect. The "deal" of soup, entree, and dessert was exactly the right amount of food and a nice variety of flavors at a reasonable price. Good vegetarian options if you lean that way, and the tajadas are really crisp and yummy. Sad that I don't live closer to Golden, but I'll make a priority of getting back there soon. Definitely recommend it if you're looking for something a little different.
(5)Amy E.
I very much wanted to give Elote's more stars, but the more I thought about our experience there, the more I couldn't justify a higher rating. The summary: Food Quality: Good Portion Sizes: Small Prices: High (for portion sizes) Service: Condescending The good first. The food is freshly and well prepared from whole ingredients. Gotta like that. Everything, with one exception, tasted decent. The tilapia in coconut milk was yummy. (The fish was minced though, so we never had the satisfaction of biting into a nice piece of it.) The tostones were perfectly cooked. The yuca was nicely boiled, then fried. The salsa was fresh and good. The carnitas were nicely cooked, though lacked some flavor. And the empanada shells were nicely fried (more on that later). The problem was the arepa (the masa shell). It was very dry and tasteless. I make arepas at home on a regular basis (for breakfast with a fried egg and cheese, yum!), and the arepa here doesn't come close to the quality and flavor of my humble little homemade ones. Portion size v. price. Not good at all. The tilapia plate had at most 1/2 cup of minced tilapia, two tostones, and three french-fry sized pieces of yuca. For lunch, I didn't need to eat more food, but for $9 there should have been more on offer. Plantains and yuca are cheap. Fill out the plate with more of them, even if you're not serving much fish. The arepa stuffed with meat was $6, which wouldn't have been too bad a price if the masa shell had been good. The empanadas were seriously overpriced. We received two little, emphasis on little, empanadas for $7. The price would have been somewhat okay if there had been much filling, but, with no exaggeration, each empanada was filled with no more than one level tablespoon of chicken. We had to search through the thick crust to find any shred of it. (Very odd, because at the table next to us, a guy was eating empanadas that were stuffed to bursting with beef.) All in all, for lunch for two, we paid, with tax and tip, almost $30, and walked out of the place not full in the least. We actually felt very silly for having spent that much money for what we got. Better attention to detail would be nice. We ordered one empanada with chicken and one with beef, but received both with chicken. We ordered one salsa for the arepa and another for the empanada, but received the same salsa for both. The service was condescending. There is a certain, small segment of foreigners who believe all Americans to be ignorant, clueless rubes. Our server was one such type. She expressed great surprise that we knew what arepas, tostones, cachapas, etc. are, and demanded (not pleasantly) to know how we came about such knowledge. (Um, because we like good food from all countries and seek it out.) I'm sure some patrons aren't familiar with Venezuelan food, but first, that doesn't make them stupid, and second, that doesn't mean all patrons don't know. The server also spent considerable time excoriating some high school students who had gotten pizza next door and were eating it in the parking lot out front, saying (to us) that pizza is no good, and why don't they come into Elote's to eat. (Um, perhaps because two tiny empanadas with almost no filling cost $7.) I think the server was trying to do a good job, but her attitude towards Americans became increasingly off-putting. If you would like to try Venezuelan food, this would be a good place to come. But do be prepared for high prices (v. portion size) and a little bit of 'tude.
(2)Mickey M.
Very solid food based on my first visit. Fried plantains were tasty but it felt like the shredded cheese was out of a bag instead of off a block. Would order again just a slight tweak there would step that dish up even more. Ordered the empanadas as well and those were absolutely amazing. A+, I have never had corn empanadas before and these just knocked my socks off, highly recommend. For our main dishes I ordered the carnitas and my girlfriend had the cachapas. Both were very solid, my only gripe (and it is slight) is the amount of meat that came with my carnitas. My girlfriend enjoyed the cachapas and I took and bite or two and thought they were good as well. Overall, I will definitely revisit as its a nice affordable dinner and very laid back atmosphere.
(4)Robert G.
Elotes is a simple, yet elegant, place with authentic Venezuelan food. It is run by a husband and wife team that greet you when you enter. We had the owner come and personally explain to menu to us. They believe in good food made with fresh ingredients from local sources. Could be unique for a first date or a dining adventure. The food is not "Americanized" so be open to the authentic food! It's is definitely a gem. The owners have run restaurants around the world. They are engineers by training, but have a love for food. The dishes are very pretty and simple. Makes you feel like you're on the Food Network without breaking the bank
(4)Tiffany N.
Fabulous place to get a quick meal in Golden! This place has been on my list to try and I finally found myself in the area with a girlfriend after hiking. We stopped in and were the only table. It's a family run business and we had w younger guy waiting on us. I ordered a cappuccino and our food came out shortly after. Everything on the menu sounded tasty but the tilapia sounded the most interesting and once the server told me it was more of a pulled tilapia vs typical filet, I was intrigued. The tilapia is cooked in coconut milk and did not disappoint. It was light yet full of flavor. I got a kale salad and sweet plantains as my sides and they were equally delicious. The best was I felt satisfied but not disgustingly full, which is always a plus! I would recommended this place if you're open to new cuisine and looking to step out of the box.
(4)Bryan W.
This place is really good and the value is amazing. You could listen to the repeat customers telling the newbies what to try. Our group had a little of "everything" and we were all pleased. None of us tried any specials, but they looked interesting and exotic. We shared one coconut cake and it was moist and not too sweet. All in all a perfect experience, made even more so by the value. Owner was super nice and helpful, and very proud of his place. He should be.
(5)pia b.
We were back again recently. Great food, service was pleasant and the coconut cake. Oh, the coconut cake. So. Good. I need to find a recipe. (The only downside is the menu lacks in vegetables, but alas, these things happen)
(4)Tracey V.
Plantains and fresh mango smoothies! Can't go wrong, it was all delicious. We had tilapia in coconut milk, sweet plantains, kale salad and cachapas. I love that there is a restaurant nearby that serves authentic latin american food.
(5)B H.
Trust all the other reviews, this place is a true gem. The tilapia in coconut milk was really good. The coconut cake was a special treat. The owner was super nice from Venezuela and his food was traditional, clean and healthy. The place is on the side of the building, it is super clean...
(5)Jesse H.
Such an exquisite establishment with top notch food and service. We stopped in on our way to check out Red Rocks and were delighted to step inside of this cozy restaurant and be greeted by the staff with detailed explanations of the food and specials that day. I started with the fresh mango juice, which should be called mango puree. Straight, thick mango that'll fill you up if you're not careful. It's hard to, but you should probably share. For our meal we selected two empanadas, one chicken and one carnitas, which came with a green cilantro sauce for dipping. The yellow corn shell crunched with each bite but gave way to a soft center filled with juicy shredded meat. We also chose the Cordon Bleu Pork special with pineapple sauce. It comes with two sides (all for $7.99) and we opted for the rice and fried plantains. The pork was hot, crispy, oozing with cheese and practically melted on the tongue. It was divine and I felt very spoiled. Lastly we shared an arepa with black beans and plantains. I love the sweetness of the plantains with the savory beans and white corn pocket, but the juices from the insides soaked through the "bun" and left it quite soggy. Our food did take a while to arrive. Our server and the owner(?) explained the kitchen was overwhelmed with a full restaurant at 2pm and a large catering order. We didn't mind the wait as our food was cooked with care and came out hot and much to our liking.
(5)Megan S.
First time to Golden, CO and we decided to get lunch at Elote's because of the great reviews but it was not good at all.. The service was slow considering there were only 4 customers in the restaurant. The server was dirty and disheveled, and the lady at a table across the restaurant came over to warn us that he was helping to prepare our food without gloves or washing his hands (she could see into the kitchen but we could not). My mom's order was messed up so she ordered something else but the food we did receive was so bland, she cancelled her order and left to get lunch elsewhere.
(1)Angela D.
This lovely, little Venezuelan cafe is discretely located on South Golden. While it is a bit pricey on a student budget, it is good every now an then to treat oneself. My boyfriend and I visited this place and between the two of us, we had 2 arepas (one pabellon and one carnitas) and 1 order of the Venezuelan polenta. We weren't stuffed after, but we were satisfied. We were also given a complimentary of mini cachapas (I think!), thank you! The food is an great example of delicious simplicity. You really feel like you're being served in someone's home when eating here, I highly recommend!
(4)Matt P.
What a great place! My first time here and I don't know why it has taken me so long. The service and food were great. I ordered a vegetarian dish and it was amazing... exceptional flavors and plenty of savory side-dishes to choose from. Reasonable prices too. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Billy R.
I really can't think of a reason not to give them 5 stars. I've been driving by on my way to work since they opened and always assumed from the sign it was just going to be another mediocre Tex-mexy kind of place. It is not. Today I visited for lunch for the first time. I was greeted by a very friendly young man, a student at Mines. The place is very small but quiet and clean. I ordered the shredded tilapia cooked in coconut milk with black beans and rice. For dessert I had the coconut cake. Everything tasted excellent and was made in-house (even the dessert!) The portions were probably a bit small for typical American tastes, but I much prefer smaller portions. I can head back to work now feeling completely satisfied and not be in a food coma. The prices were on par with lesser, tex-mexy joints, which was a nice bonus. I will definitely be back.
(5)Andie P.
First off, the food was great. The chicken polenta was savory and sweet and covered in melty cheese. But the margarita was even better with fresh squeezed lime juice. This light-weight had two because they were so good. We had the fried plantains as an appetizer and thoroughly enjoyed them. Secondly, the wait staff was excellent. They not only put up with my very talkative 3 year old, but they were friendly to him. He loved it. One thing to note, the address is East St but the restaurant is on S Golden Rd, and you can't see it from the parking lot.
(5)Stephen B.
While driving back from Breck yesterday to Boulder we decided to stop in Golden for lunch. I checked Yelp for reviews of local spots that were new to me and first on the list was Elote's. The reviews were raving and so we decided to give it a shot. I'm so glad we did. I don't know what I enjoyed more, the food or Luis' personality and smile. He was so enthusiastic about the fare. It was so refreshing to try new latin food, I've never sampled Venezuelan food before. The tostanos were a great start, although kind of filling. I can't wait to stop by again on my way through Golden to try some of the other dishes.
(5)Stephanie N.
I've been living in the Golden area for quite a while. And this is definitely a gem in this little town. This cafe features Venezuelan style cuisine as a part of its menu. In all honesty, I can't speak for whether or not this is authentic cuisine of the region. But, I can definitely say that the food here resembles some of the South American foods I've had before. Elote's Cafe is definitely delicious. As a student, I think that the $12,99 deal is great. I'm usually filled by the time I have my appetizer and my entree. It's very nice taking home a dessert that I can eat later! But, the food is exactly how I would picture as homemade. I always like the soup they have for that day. But, I am also a fan of their kale salad because I love kale and I love avocado. Their entrees never seem to disappoint me! Also, I'm a big fan of their juices. The mango is my personal favorite. I think the owner is a very wonderful guy with a very nice family. Coming from an engineering background, I think his wife is awesome! She's a Mechanical Engineering Prof! So awesome! But, the servers and staff are very friendly! Try this cafe! It's definitely worth your money. You'll most likely be back! I promise you!
(5)Jeff B.
Incredible food! Fresh awesome fresh flavor. I really love this place. I drove 20 miles to get arepas and cachapas they were worth the drive. I only wish there was an Elotes Cafe closer to me! Service was quick friendly and by Luis the owner. He cares about his customers and greets them personally. I will be back!!!
(5)Ana B.
Finding this restaurant was like finding gold! We were coming back from a frustrated drive to Mountain Evans (road closed) and stopped on Buffalo Bill Museum, it was close to lunch time so we decided to search for a place. I ran into Elote's on Yelp and we decided to give it a try. I was surprised by everything: service is awesome, food was amazing, the chef/owner spent some time us...we loved the Tilapia on Coconut Milk, such a great mix of flavors and textures, the side of platano was very tasty too. To finish we had the Tres Leches cake which is always a great choice. I would definitely come back if I had the opportunity!
(5)Clarence S.
I finally found a place where to enjoy authentic Venezuelan/South American food. The chef and owner, adapts to the American clientele as well. My wife who is from Wisconsin love every single treat during dinner. The ambiance is lovely and inviting while you just prepare to try the most typical plates. My dinner adventure started with the Christmas specialties such as hallacas (Venezuelan tamale), ensalada rusa (potato salad) and ham steak in pineapple sauce. The parchita (passion fruit) juice was wonderful! not too sweet or weak... it was perfect! and the dessert... the coconut cake... to die for. My wife ordered a spectacular seafood croquette accompanied with an organic/local kale salad. The fact that Golden may enjoy this high quality restaurant with so inexpensive menu... it is great ! I highly recommend it.
(5)Sherry Y.
I ate at Elote's Cafe a couple of months ago. It is a Venezuelan restaurant. Its name comes from the Spanish word for corn which is a staple of the Venezuelan diet. I had the Arepas which are a corn cake with a beef stew over it. As I am gluten-free, i really appreciate a non-wheat based menu. The owners are Venezuelan and one teaches at Mines and the other as an adjunct professor in Denver. I love ethnic restaurants and am really glad to have a change to experience Venezuelan food. The food is not spicy as Mexican or Tex-Mex food. I heartily recommend this charming little restaurant and its staff who are eager to serve you the food of their native land.
(4)Brett D.
Great food!!! The plantains here are the best I've ever had!! The empanadas are a very good portion for lunch and have a great flavor. The shredded beef was tender and flavorful and perfectly paired with more delicious plantains, black beans, and rice. I'll definitely be back to try different items.
(5)Meggin R.
We tried Elote's after searching dinner in Golden and it came up #1. We wanted to try somewhere new, and I'm glad that we did. We will certainly be going back. We went on a Thursday night and there were only a couple of people there. So, naturally the service was great. The owner wanted to make sure that everything was good, and it was. The easiest way to describe the food is Venezuelan/ Caribbean South American. And it is really delicious. We had the sweet fried plantains, and it tasted just like the ones we had in Costa Rica. The big difference is that he puts cheese on top, which was different but tasty. They also do crispy plantains, I want to try those next. I had the carnitas. I wish that it had come with a tortilla or two. And I don't mean an American flour kind, I would have loved a traditional tortilla with it. It was moderately spicy, but when I ate it at the same time as the beans and rice, it toned down nicely. My husband had the special sea food lasagna. It was really different and delicious. Not heavy, and was the essence of sea food. I want to go back to try the Christmas plate--Venezualan tamales with pork and pineapple. We tried the coconut cake after seeing the raves about it, and the raves were right. Delicious light flavor, and great moist cake. We split one, but we agreed to each get our own next time. When I write reviews, I base my stars on the type of restaurant that it is. Eg: a really good cafe would get 5 stars but a just ok high scale restaurant would get only three even though the food was better than the cafe. This gets 5 stars for the type of food that it is. And we will definitely be coming back, and bringing our families.
(5)Meena L.
Decided to go here with my roommates after reading such rave reviews. The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is because the service was semi lacking, but I think they were just super busy. My friend ordered a bowl of soup for an appetizer that didn't come when the rest of us got our salads. When he reminded the server when he received his meal, the server apologized that the kitchen was overwhelmed, but the soup didn't come out until AFTER the deserts which he was disappointed about. But regardless, this place has GREAT food. I had a chicken and beef empanada and they were deliciously crispy and juicy in the center. I also had the kale salad, which my only complaint is that they include the bitter raw stems in the salad which I didn't like, but it was overall very good. So cheap too! My friend had pulled pork with beans and rice that was super delicious followed by the coconut cake that he says was the best cake he had ever had. I tried it and if was seriously amazing. You must save room for the coconut cake. The restaurant is small and cozy, and seems to have a huge following. We went at 5pm on a Saturday and they filled up fast. We will definitely be going back.
(4)Lizzy I.
We stopped in here on a Sunday afternoon. The staff was engaged and the food was amazing! Chicken polenta!! still dreaming of its deliciousness!
(5)Jorge O.
Super delicious hand made food! The in house made mango juice is delicious, and it very healthy would recommend to anyone that like really good healthy food. A must visit.
(5)Kenny N.
This place was great. En route to Red Rocks, we stopped in on a whim. We received a detailed explanation of their current specials and then started pouring over our menus. We ordered two empanadas, an arepa, and the Cordon Bleu Pork special. I hadn't had any cordon bleu in a very long time. Everything was delicious and worth the wait (kitchen was overwhelmed with a very large special order). I heartily recommend this spot. Also, the prices were unbelievably good.
(5)Savy P.
Delicious and well priced. Snazzy environment, kind of fancy even! The food was great. We tried a little bit of everything and no one was disappointed. Great flan too! It's a rather small place and the staff are very attentive and friendly.
(5)Terri T.
Terrific food and authentically prepared. Charming owner who was attentive and made great recommendations. Fantastic coconut cake, corn soup, fried plantains, and quesadillas.
(5)H C.
So we went there with a large group. They bent over backwards to accommodate us. Overall the food was great. Good portions and well seasoned. The tostones could have had a little more flavor and the hot salsa was mild at best, but this is nitpicking. I'd go back for lunch.
(4)Jeremy R.
A wonderful surprise, first time going through golden and stopped! A small restaurant with cool art. Simple healthy dishes, very inexpensive. Pork was amazing, cauliflower soup was even better. Service was fantastic and friendly! If you are passing though golden and have an itch to try some food you've probably never had before. I recommend it.
(5)Mark B.
My wife and I both had an excellent meal here don't miss the Coconut Cake for dessert. Beer and wine list could be better.
(4)Antonio G.
I am from Venezuela and have not been able to visit the home country in 10 years. Finding this place was a God send. I found in this place the typical dishes that you would enjoy in Venezuela plus some interesting and delicious adventures to other latin american entrees. i travel frequently to Colorado anI have been here many times for a quick lunch with business guests that I want to impress, and also after work when I want to treat myself. It's that good. The owner is very friendly and makes sure each customer is the center of attention. I found in the menu specials offered enough variety and excellent choices to enjoy my dining experiences. Never gets boring although I never miss his famous empanadas as an appetizer. I highly recommend it.
(5)Valerie S.
Fantastic food and service! The tuna cake is outstanding and my husband's traditional dinner was excellent as well. Small place in a strip shopping center but definitely worth going to.
(5)Christy V.
I tried Elote's for lunch with a colleague last week and it was amazing! They have a great special that includes soup or salad, an entrée, and dessert. To start, I had the soup of the day which was corn, and it was truly delightful. For my entree, the Pabellon Criollo, which was shredded beef black beans rice and fried plantains - delicious! To finish, I tried the banana cake. It was moist and tasty. I was just too full to finish it. Their fresh squeezed juices are served over crushed ice and are perfectly refreshing. I HIGHLY recommend that you try this restaurant.
(5)Jason M.
Things to know: Located in a small business center facing the street (not visible from parking area) Owners are very nice and ESL so pay xtra attention when they explain the menu. Several vegetarian choices. Food, service and pricing are great. Only wish they were located in my hometown (San Diego, Ca) Trust all the five star reviews and give them a shot!
(5)Elliot L.
Excellent food in a very modern setting with tasteful art adorning the walls and cool jazz playing in the background. Great selection of dishes, all of which were freshly prepared and tastefully seasoned. Hopefully they grow into a larger place because they could use more table space. Well worth a visit. Great service and friendly ownership.
(5)Dennis M.
On a return trip from Wisconsin, my wife and I stopped in at an RV campground in Golden, Colorado to visit our daugter who recently moved here from California. After reading a number of reviews, all very positive, Wife and I decided to take our daughter to Elotés. We ordered 5 entre's because we planned to have some leftovers for lunch the following day. All three of us agreed that this restaurant rated 5 stars, without question. Every single dish was superb including the Chachapas, the arepas, the shredded chicken empanadas, the Venezuelan style chicken polenta and the carnitas. The coconut cake, as many reviewers raved about was nothing short of desert perfection. We will be heading back home to Arizona in a few days but plan to return next year. You can bet that, when we do, Elotés will be at the top of our list for places we will patronize again.
(5)Mary W.
The kind of restaurant that makes me love yelp... Wonderful authentic Venezuelan cuisine. The yucca was delicious- perfectly made with a delicious green sauce. Healthy and tasty kale salad. Empanadas were terrific - chicken was the favorite. The homemade coconut cake was so moist...wish we could get the recipe! Friendly, warm service. The owner will tell you about the menu, and the atmosphere is family. Not fancy - interesting, good, healthy food. Happy!
(5)David V.
A wonderful relaxing Saturday afternoon with butternut squash soup, fried plantains, empanadas and iced tea. Great service, great menu choices, very reasonable prices. Well worth the drive from Denver - or Fort Collins!
(5)William A.
I am seriously pissed off Elote's isn't closer to Boulder. Sit fat and happy you Golden ingrates; I hope you recognize the gem in your midst! My sister was visiting CO for a conference based in Golden recently. Of course I''m going to visit her there. Of course she asks me where we should eat. What do I know about cuisine in Golden? Not a damn thing. Woody's? I dunno. I live in Boulder, and turned to Yelp for help finding something good. Elote's Cafe looked promising. Myself, my sister, and my son stopped by Elote's Cafe on June 11 on a very grey, early evening. It's a very small place in a very grotty strip mall at the end of a very frustrating traffic roundabout, Don't let the location, GPS directions, or decor fool you, and fight fight fight that roundabout! The couple already seated in the restaurant when we arrived went ballistic about how great it was right when we walked through the door; they eat there twice a week apparently. That's how close the quarters are: it's almost a community table, and I mean that in the best possible way. All through the meal and as we left, the whole place, about 20 diners in a very cozy space, were comparing notes across the aisle and extolling various dishes. The owner greeted, hosted, ran food, bussed, and made drinks (we had incredible fresh made fruit smoothies). All the while explaining the menu in a very thorough, endearing, strangely hearty way for each new party, explanations that involved a chalk-drawn specials tent board he moved from table to table, I'd eat here at least once or twice a week if it were nearer to where I live. Fantastic place.
(5)Heather L.
Oh my goodness. I'll be here again. This place is amazing! Our food was fantastic and I was so impressed. The pricing was fantastic. Great value. The margs are yummy the mango juice...mmmm. You have got to eat here. You just have to trust me.
(5)Gene K.
Worst Cachapa ever! It was full of flour tuff like leather and I wanted to use it a a moccasin. The owner is from Caracas Venezuelan and he must know that Venezuelans would never accept this Americanized stuff he is presenting as authentic Venezuelan. The owner is very nice. The Pavallon was good. Platano and tostone was good. Elote is " corn" his Cachapas should have been the best of the best. We go to Emanada Expeess on 44th in Tennyson fur pretty good Cachspas. Elite has the ability to be great but gotta get that Cachapa perfect. We will try one more time.
(3)Israel A.
Great place, tried their Reina Pepeada Arepa and their tuna Arepa with some traditional juice from Venezuela, we loved it. Also, good for those looking for gluten-free options.
(5)Kayla W.
So glad to have found this great spot! The food was beyond delicious, authentic and ridiculously well priced. Just visiting, but wish I could have this food back home. The owner is very attentive, extremely friendly and engages with the customers. The cafe is quaint and inviting and is the perfect atmosphere to enjoy this homemade food. If I could give 10 stars I would. If in the Golden area you must spot off at this fabulous spot!
(5)Stan D.
One of the big problems with dining out is that there are very few "different" choices, and, if you find one, it is probably more than a bit expensive. This restaurant beats both of those trends. It is both delightfully different, and pleasantly affordable. The biggest problem with this restaurant is that we've driven by it many, many times, but never even knew it was there! We only found it, and tried it because we had a restaurant.com discount. We are happy we finally found it. They advertise it as "New Age Latin American Cuisine." It is that, but so much more. It is Central American food prepared by Venezuelans - the food of Venezuela. They serve fish, beef, chicken, cheese, and, especially, vegetarian dishes. They actually have a different "Vegetarian Dish of the Week" every week. In fact, the "Specials" menu changes every week, and stays in place for the entire week. Everything on the menu is fresh, and prepared on-site, including the lovely, affordable desserts. When we were there, there were two Vegetarian specials, and my wife and I shared one of each. I do not remember the name of either, but one was Vegetable Balls topped with tomato sauce that tasted like, and resembled meatballs, but made entirely with vegetables. You get your choice of sides with the dish, so I had the black beans, and the tostones. The black beans were perfectly seasoned, and tasted unlike any others I have ever had. Tostones are fried plantains, but they are not sweet. I had never heard of such a thing, but I guess they are very popular, and very common in Venezuela. I had mine with a little hot sauce, but I am told they usually just eat them with salt. My wife's dish was a tomato and zucchini "pudding" served in a baking dish. It, too, was very different, very nice, and very tasty. She had black beans with her dish, too, but she went for the more common "sweet" plantains. To top our meals off, we both enjoyed dessert. She had the coconut cake, and I had the banana cake. Both were very moist, and delicious. The presentation was very nice, too. Probably the best part of the meal was the price. Both entrees, with beverages, sides, and dessert only brought the total bill to $25.00. And, you can get that same deal any day of the week. They have a Special always on the menu where you get an entree, soup or salad, a side, a beverage and dessert for just $12.99. It's a really great deal. But, even if you don't order the special, you will find everything on the menu to be very good, and very affordable. They practically give away this great food. As I said before, the only bad thing about this place is it is hiding in plain sight. If you can find Santiago's, you can find this place. It's right next door in the little shopping center next to the nail salon and Domino's Pizza. If you are in the area, you like dining out, and you like great, new choices, find this place. You will not be disappointed, and I guarantee you will come back.
(5)Joe B.
What a delightful evening at Elotes. We had a great experience on our first visit to Elotes. The service was great with everyone being extremely friendly and helpful. The food was fantastic from the corn soup to the dinner plates everything was fresh and tasty. They even treated us to a sample of a potential new dish. Prices were very reasonable and the experience was top notch.
(5)Laura L.
Stopped in after reading wonderful reviews, but was slightly disappointed with our choice. The restaurant was busy for a Saturday afternoon, but service was slow as there was only one server, who seemed less than thrilled to be serving. I didn't end up getting what I thought I had ordered, which was an Pabellan empanada, but received the Pabellan plate. It was good, but my rice was hard and all stuck together. The kale salad was good. My husband got his empanadas and they tasted good, but we're more corn cake rather than filling. They could have used a bigger side of sauce, he got a small cup with about a tablespoon of sauce in it! The owner did discount my meal, as I didn't get what I had ordered, but I am not sure I will be back anytime soon.
(3)Ana L.
Excellent food. If you love or just want to love Latin American cuisine you will love this charming restaurant.
(5)Toni R.
We were in Golden for a wedding, and stumbled across this place. We actually went back a second time because it was so good! My husband raved about the coconut cake and in the end ate 3 slices. We both thoroughly enjoyed the cauliflower soup and main dishes. They have an outstanding gluten free menu, I had a corn cake with chicken and avocado. It was to die for. This is a gem in Golden!
(5)Tianyi L.
The service was excellent; we were waited on by the owners (granted it was a Sunday night and there wasn't anyone else in the restaurant). However, the food itself was "ok" to "decent", with the coconut cake dessert being particularly good and memorable (as many others have mentioned already). It's a coconut sponge cake saturated in what appears to be some sort of condensed milk.
(4)Brandon F.
I absolutely love this place! The jugo natural (sort of a fruit smoothie) is bangin' and hints that they aren't joking around here. I prefer the carnitas over the pabellon criollo, but they are both excellent. The desserts are just as good as everything else. You can get a drink, soup/salad, entree, and dessert for $12.99 - which is an unbelievable value! That would easily be $20 anywhere else like Cuba Cuba for example, which doesn't even come close. This place is authentic and it will do well. Come try it and spread the word!
(5)Tricia B.
The food was very good and atmosphere intimate. The empanadas are gluten free along with the majority of all their other items on the menu. The waitress was pleasant. This is definitely booked marked for many returns.
(5)Amy B.
Was really looking forward to this place. Not my favorite...the Tilapia wasn't even a filet of fish it was a bread mix. The plantains lacked any real flavor and I couldn't even get refills on my iced tea. Prices were good, gluten free selection was good. For folks who don't know arepas though or how they are served...would be nice for them to be told that there is only the arepa...no side dish or actual entree. I think they are new so maybe they'll improve service and selection over time.
(2)Blake C.
Great mom and pops joint. I love it's a family operation! We had some great personalized service.
(5)Erika B.
I've been to Elote's Cafe twice for lunch. The food is interesting, authentic and prepared with care, although a little salty. The owner, Luis, is very nice and obviously proud of his Venezualan heritage. He is the only one there to serve lunch, however, and both times I was there longer than I would have liked. It seems to be a popular place, so I hope he will add another server soon. Both times, there were groups of women who were overwhelmed by the "exotic" menu, asking him many questions as he tried to multitasking and then basically asked him to choose their meal for them. They seemed so focused on their own needs that they were unaware that the poor man was needing to serve others. Maybe he needs more explanation of the dishes on the menu so that he can greet and attend to more guests. But please try this place! I always root for the independent restaurants.
(3)Kharis E.
This place, despite being a little tricky to find if you're coming in from Denver, is AWESOME! I think I changed our reservation a few times - no complaints from the staff. We showed up all separately (we were coming from different towns, different work schedules to meet for dinner before Red Rocks) and were seated with a friendly smile. Margaritas are delicious. Food is perfectly portioned and made with love. Would absolutely recommend this little hidden gem to anyone.
(5)Rob M.
Again a little non-chain restaurant surprises the hell out of me, everything we ordered here was %100 perfect, amazing flavor, perfect temperature, just the right about of service. Kale salad was quite good. In our party of 4 everyone was completely satisfied.
(5)M M.
Went for dinner last night and am already wishing I had one more night in Golden so I could go again. Empanadas were crusty and light, not greasy and heavy. Also had the special, breaded cauliflower with yogurt sauce which I, and my 2 kids, loved. The tilapia in coconut milk was different than I expected (flaked and mashed rather than a a whole filet) but still tasty. Tostones were perfect. Sauces were flavorful and fresh. Ended with the flan. The couple running restaurant clearly have their hearts in this place and it shows. My prediction is that they will quickly outgrow this little space and need a place triple the size. Prices are very fair; empanadas 5.99, entrees 7.99 and flan $3. The reviews are accurate, Elotes is a winner.
(5)Brandi U.
Wonderful, authentic Venezuelan cuisine. The arepas are fresh and delicious, and their coconut cake is simply amazing. Great prices, great food, and great service--they even fed us when they were closed just because they happened to see us come to the door. I highly recommend if you're in the mood for something tasty and unique!
(5)Darrell M.
Very very good and authentic South American cuisine. Owner will share how he makes each dish. Very reasonably priced. Great little atmosphere.
(5)Mic O.
What an amazing surprise. Food was delicious, so affordable and the staff was awesome. Will definitely be coming back, especially for the coconut pie, rice and beans.
(5)Carol S.
This was a delightful change of pace. The food was fresh and well prepared. I had tilapia which was lightly fried and delicious. I tried the sweet potato soup and didn't care for it. The owner (who was my server) not only refunded the price if the soup but offered a free desert. The real shock came with the bill. We literally thought the bill was not for both of us , since my tilapia with plantains and a kale salad was only $7.95. You shouldn't miss this small restaurant. It's located in a small strip mall on the outskirts of Golden
(5)Luis U.
I've had their fair share of dishes since I've been in CO and I am impressed by every single one. The Cachapa is an excellent mix of sweet, salty, and savory and the Empanadas are fresh and crispy. I'm also a huge fan of the Chicken Polenta, I've never had anything like it anywhere else! The ambient is nice and cozy and the service is very friendly, always willing to explain whenever there are any doubts. The Coconut Cake is a must get.
(5)Holly J.
We love this place, but went on a Saturday evening and they were busy but could not handle the number of tables :( It was dissapointing the service offered this time. We waited 20 minutes just to get waters and when our food came out it was incorrect. Then it took even longer to get our check. Maybe they need more staff or more experienced staff on busy days? We hope next time will be better... Not sure we would go back on a weekend....Customer Service is important to us!
(3)Sarah C.
Took my father to lunch here this afternoon after reading the previous reviews about how wonderful this place was and I must say they were spot on!!! The service was probably the best I've experienced, the food was extremely delicious and all ingredients are natural and everything's home made. on top of it all, the prices are shockingly great and supper affordable! I would recommend this place to ANYONE! The Fresh squeezed juices are so refreshing and desserts to die for! Also, Plenty of vegetarian options as well as gluten free, but also great meat options for you carnivorous eaters ;-) Give this place a try, I promise you will not be disappointed!!!
(5)Carla C.
E lotes menú goes beyond arepas and empanadas which are also very good. The lunch menu is great deal and very tasty. I highly recommend the marrón coffee, it is exactly how we drink it in Venezuela. I will continue going to this place. Highly recommended Venezuelan rest from a venezuelan client!
(5)Amb O.
Easy to pass right by Elote's, but worth the stop if in Golden. I hope that this place gets business! Delicious, authentic, inexpensive Venezuelan food & tasty, STRONG coffee. Everything made in house and from scratch. Friendly, energetic owner just wants a chance for his business to thrive. Don't drive-by: STOP in!
(5)Karla S.
Wonderful food and amazing owners. Great rum selection. Highly recommended! So glad to have this quality of food in Golden. Thank you!!!!
(5)Brad B.
Fantastic Friday evening dinner. I asked owner about the two specials, as I was indecisive. He offered a special plate with both. Surprising tastes. Excellent service. Intimate atmosphere. This is a "mom& pop" shop where they know how to cook and care about customers. Highly recommend.
(5)Bertie W.
Food is very good but there is a clear lack of leadership as a result the kitchen is in chaos, which spills into the front. Not hugely upsetting to the customer, you end up getting a bunch of great food for free, but not sustainable as a business. I hope they get that fixed so I can eat here for years to come. Excellent food.
(5)Thomas K.
We were so pleased with the explanation of their different plates. Very cute little restaurant that we had all to ourselves.
(5)Danielle K.
I highly recommend this new restaurant in Golden! The food was fresh and flavorful and our waitress was very friendly. I ordered the mango juice (jugo natural) and it was AMAZING! I would swim there just for a glass. The fried plantains and pork carnitas with green sauce were delicious. The prices were very reasonable. If you haven't tried this place yet, please do. The restaurant is small, but could grow with more exposure. I'm already looking forward to going back!
(5)Lynette A.
This place was great. The service was great. The plates are perfectly sized and the Wine menu looked great. I would definitely go back to try something different.
(4)Rob M.
Don't go there thirsty on a hot summer day! Food ok not to the level of these reviews. But what really got under my skin is when I ordered iced tea, asked for a refill and was told only one refill on iced tea (not mentioned on the menu). What! No excuse for this. Not a great idea to upset a customer for the cost of basically a glass of water. I made mention of this not being typical for restaurants to charge extra for tea refills and was told they use the espresso machine to make their tea and they are too busy to refill glasses so to get people to not bother them with refills they charge for them, that is crazy on so many levels. First what are you doing using the espresso machine to make tea. A little advice on how to make tea economically and in bulk - use tea bags and tap water, put in pot, heat water and then put in big pitcher. As for being too busy for refills, they will now have one less customer to worry about all over the cost of a glass of iced tea.
(3)Annette G.
Wow! The food is amazing, the service is great and the prices are VERY reasonable. Agreed that the coconut cake is a must and the dumplings are delicious. We are taking our in-laws to this restaruant. It's a new favorite. Must try---GREAT restaurant.
(5)Donna H.
Came here looking for Venezuelan food. Ordered a little of everything. All excellent ! Pavellon criollo was just like home. Cachapas tasted made from scratch. Empanadas were light and crispy. Prices are very reasonable. The atmosphere is very relaxed and comfortable. The owner/chef welcomed us right away great attitude and was very attentive throughout our visit. We will be back this weekend with the rest of the family!!
(5)Annie P.
We got take out, and it was so yummy. I'll definitely be back to try other menu options. Thanks Elote!
(5)John H.
This restaurant is excellent. The food is fresh, tasty and ample portions with the prices very modest for the quality. If you enjoy a sweet desert try the coconut cake. An easy drive from the Colorado Mills.
(5)Robert D.
Wonderful restaurant! Great selection of South American food. Extremely nice owner! Very reasonable price. I will definitely be going back!
(5)Matt L.
I have been eating at Elote's multiple times a week since their opening, and I have nothing but positives to say. The restaurant has been completely remodeled on the inside and it looks very nice. All the ingredients are high quality, fresh, and delicious. All the food is hand prepared from scratch, and they definitely know what they are doing. Prices are very fair, their entree special is 3 courses and a drink for $12.99. The staff is more than willing to answer any questions, and they always ask for your opinion on the meal. You can tell that the owner cares very much about the restaurant and this is definitely some of the best food you can get in the Golden area.
(5)Alex C.
I've passed this place many times and finally convinced some friends to go with me. It was delicious and very reasonably priced. Soup/salad, and entree, and a dessert for $13. And it is well worth it. As a table we had: kale salad, one of their weekly fish specials, sopes, empanadas, mango juice, and 2 berry juices, flan, banana cake, and coconut cake. Everything was amazing. And for the entire table the bill was only $40. I will definitely be back to try the rest of their menu.
(5)Sanarie B.
I love this place. It is a warm and friendly place the owner Luis is charming. The food is great. I have tried several items but the Tuna Caribbean Cake is my favorite. I have taken several friends their and they all love it. Great Latin cuisine.
(5)K D.
This is an awesome gem in Golden. Delicious traditional Venezuelan food with reasonable portions and great prices. Fresh squeezed juices and plantains are amazing.
(5)Evan S.
I've been here twice now. One lunch, one dinner. The food was very good both visits. Did the $12.99 drink, soup or salad, entree, and dessert combo for dinner. It's a great taste of of the menu at a reasonable price. The vegetarian entree I got by itself at lunch left me a bit hungry, but was very good. The (I assume) owner is super nice. Food is great, service was a little, well, let's call it relaxed. I wouldn't go if I had somewhere to be in a hurry.
(4)Jessica D.
Great food. Really authentic and homey. The chicken croquettes were a delight and the sopes were so flavorful. Prices were great. We will be back for sure. Recommend to anyone looking to try something fun and fresh.
(5)Kevin L.
Our first time at Elote's and we will be back regularly. The food and service are great and the prices are even better. Luis, the owner was gracious and very friendly. The black bean soup was delicious. The entrees, including the special which was a vegetable pudding topped with a fantastic bechamel sauce, were superb. The flan and coconut cake were desserts to die for. The meals are reasonably portioned and very affordable. Make sure to map out the location as it is tucked into a small storefront on South Golden Road. My guess is that you'll be very happy you found it.
(5)Julie B.
This is my favorite restaurant in Golden. I've eaten the tuna arepa a few times now and its divine - always hot, fresh, and delicious. I've also tried the sweet and savory plantains and both are great. The entree specials are all good, but the arepas are my favorite. Service is super. This place is awesome.
(5)Bradley M.
I have been several times. The arepas were made fresh for me each time - I love the thick, moist consistency! I have also enjoyed buying affordable a la carte pieces from the menu. All of the food has a quality texture and tastes fresh.
(5)Greg P.
Great little family run, local place with tasty food. They've got some wonderful items on the menu (chicken polenta and cachapas and coconut cake were very good). Wouldn't suggest this place of you're in a hurry, they are still new to the restaurant game. But considering they've only been open a few months, they're doing a great job, and it's worth any sort of wait.
(5)Anna W.
Fantastic! Amazing authentic food and great prices. We will be back again and again!
(5)