El Jefe

4.9

692 Reviews

$30 and under

Mexican

Make a booking

2 people

15 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 20 times today

Neighbourhood gem
Good for groups
Great for happy hour

Our menu is inspired by the Mexican regions of Yucatán, Oaxaca, and Veracruz. We strive to respect the influences and traditions of these diverse cultures to bring you food that is uniquely El Jefe.

We believe in doing things the right way. Not because it’s trendy or cool, but because it’s right. We change our menu with the grow season, supporting our neighbors and the terroir of Colorado. We are not your average Mexican joint, rather a reflection of our environment and beliefs.

We hand make our tortillas every day. All of our pork comes from one whole hog. Our chefs breakdown the whole animal, for chorizo, appetizers, stocks, soups, and entrees. Nothing is wasted. We do this out of respect for the animal and for the people who raised them for us. Anything we can produce in our kitchen is done by us, with love. No frills, just good food.

We do an amazing brunch on the weekends, and by default or menu is nearly 100% gluten free.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Mexican, Farm-to-table, Contemporary Mexican
Hours of Operation
Brunch Sat 10:00 am–3:00 pm Sun 10:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue, Thu, Fri 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Sat 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(720) 389-7615
Website
http://www.eljefedenver.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Eusebio Silvario
Private party facilities
The Crown Room at El Jefe is great for holiday parties, cocktail parties, corporate team building events, movie nights, game-day parties, rehearsal dinners, family reunions bridal/baby showers and more.

Location
2450 W 44th Ave, Denver, CO 80211-1508
Area
Highlands
Cross Street
Alcott & 44th
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining

Private dining

3 SalsasUS$6.00
Choose 3: guajillo, xni pec, verde, arbol, habanera
GuacamoleUS$8.00
hand mashed to order
Winter QuesadillaUS$8.00
roasted poblano, grilled scallion, butternut squash, asadero cheese, salsa arbol
Crab NachosUS$12.00
guajillo & dijon mojo, asadero cheese, xni pec, blue crab
Pulpo*US$13.00
grilled octopus, Sikil Pak, spiced pineapple, olives, farm greens, cilantro
ChicharronesUS$4.00
fried pig skin, pequin
QuesoUS$8.00
asadero, queso fresco, cheddar, cotija, pepitas
Shrimp Ceviche*US$9.00
pineapple, radish, farm cucumber, lime, cilantro
Brussel SproutsUS$7.00
crispy brussels, peanut macha, cotija, lime

Main

Winter RellenoUS$14.00
tortilla crusted with sweet potato, cheddar, Spanish rice, mole ancho, greens & plantains
Chicken Tacos PlateUS$10.00
grilled chicken adobo, cucumber salsa, crema, house-made tortillas
Slow Roasted Pork CarnitasUS$16.00
local pork, potatoes, salsas, lime, house-made tortillas, pickled onions and jalapenos
Beef Barbacoa Tacos PlateUS$14.00
Adobo and avocado leaf slow roasted Colorado beef, pickled cabbage, cotija, salsa verde, house-made tortillas
Mushroom Tacos PlateUS$13.00
Hazel Dell Farms organic mushrooms, pepita crema, walnuts, salsa arbol, house-made tortillas
Pescado Tacos PlateUS$14.00
fried cod, citrus slaw, radish, chipotle lime aioli, house-made tortillas
Mexican Pizza (Tlayuda)US$13.00
crispy flour tortilla, pinto beans, Hazeldell mushroom, asadero, arugula, watermelon radish, pickled onions, salsa arbol
Butcher Steak FajitasUS$16.00
8 oz with rajas, crema, salsa arbol, pickles, housemade tortillas
Al PastorUS$14.00
Blessed Creek Farm pork belly, pickled pineapple, caramelized onion, plantains, house made tortillas
Chorizo Tacos PlateUS$12.00
white onion, crema, salsa verde, cilantro, house-made tortillas
Mole EnchiladasUS$16.00
grilled chicken adobo, queso fresco, pickled onions, house-made tortillas

Salads & Sides

add chicken +$4, add beef barbacoa +$5

Farro SaladUS$12.00
crispy brussels sprouts, cotija, pepitas, pickled raisin, roasted butternut squash, apple cider vinaigrette
Ensalada VerdeUS$6.00
farm cucumber, radish, chives, arugula, cotija, cilantro vinaigrette
Fried PlantainsUS$5.00
Market VegetablesUS$6.00
cotija, pepitas
Fingerling PotatoesUS$5.00
Pequin chili powder

Desserts

Mexican Lime PieUS$7.00
chili lime curd, graham cracker crust, whipped cream
Churro SandwichesUS$8.00
house made churros, vanilla ice cream, cinnamon, sugar, chocolate sauce, dulce de leche
Dessert PlantainsUS$6.00
cinnamon, sugar, dulce de leche, chocolate sauce
Vanilla FlanUS$5.00
citrus compote
Pumpkin PieUS$7.00
ancho chili, Mexican chocolate, candied pepitas, dulce de leche whipped cream

What 692 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.9Service
4.8Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

Denver / Colorado
Neighbourhood gem
Denver / Colorado
Mexican
Denver
Best Overall
Denver
Best Food
Denver
Best Service
Denver
Good for groups
Denver
Neighbourhood gem
Denver
Mexican

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

El Jefe is a vibrant, neighborhood gem with "amazing food and service." Guests rave about the "authentic flavors" from Yucatán and Oaxaca, with standout dishes like mole enchiladas, birria ramen, and crab nachos. The festive atmosphere, "friendly staff," and "delicious cocktails" make it a favorite for brunch and dinner alike.

692 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner VIP
Denver1 review
5.0
Dined on 22 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great brunch spot. Bottomless mimosas is always a plus.
Is this helpful?
K
Kevin
Denver38 reviews
5.0
Dined on 16 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was our third time at El Jefe for brunch and we were NOT disappointed. Quality food and excellent beverage options. Atmosphere is perfect for groups, small or large.
Is this helpful?
A
Alejandro VIP
Denver5 reviews
4.0
Dined on 15 February 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
For Valentine’s Day I was delighted they didn’t have a prix fixed menu. Good food
Is this helpful?
f
fareed
Denver2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 15 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
New & excellent experience for us, especially on Valentine’s Day
Is this helpful?
K
Kerry
Denver1 review
5.0
Dined on 15 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and amazing service! We were seated immediately and served so quickly.
Is this helpful?
G
Gina
San Francisco2 reviews
4.0
Dined on 14 February 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Lowkey, nice vibe, food good… not extraordinary, but decent value and fine. Would go again.
Is this helpful?
M
Molly
Minneapolis3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 26 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Consistently awesome with the best servers ever! Everything was perfect. This has become our go-to spot for casual Mexican in Denver.
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L
Lucinda
Denver10 reviews
4.0
Dined on 24 January 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious with friendly and great service. They were out of a few favorites on a Thursday night early, however.
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V
Victoria
Denver5 reviews
5.0
Dined on 22 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
great restaurant, easy to get a seat but super high end food. great service too, and awesome drinks! what a find!
Is this helpful?
K
Kristi
Salt Lake City3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 12 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing food!! Some of the best Mexican I’ve had in CO. Love the mole!!
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FAQs

El Jefe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (720) 389-7615.

El Jefe is rated 4.9 stars by 692 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

15 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 20 times today

Order delivery or takeout

2450 W 44th Ave, Denver, CO 80211-1508

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
Alcott & 44th
Area
Highlands
Hours of Operation
Brunch Sat 10:00 am–3:00 pm Sun 10:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue, Thu, Fri 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Sat 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Mexican, Farm-to-table, Contemporary Mexican
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Eusebio Silvario
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining

Website
http://www.eljefedenver.com/
Phone number
(720) 389-7615
Private party facilities
The Crown Room at El Jefe is great for holiday parties, cocktail parties, corporate team building events, movie nights, game-day parties, rehearsal dinners, family reunions bridal/baby showers and more.

El Jefe

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Custom inquiry

To Start

3 SalsasUS$6.00

GuacamoleUS$8.00

Winter QuesadillaUS$8.00

Crab NachosUS$12.00

Pulpo*US$13.00

ChicharronesUS$4.00

QuesoUS$8.00

Shrimp Ceviche*US$9.00

Brussel SproutsUS$7.00

Main

Winter RellenoUS$14.00

Chicken Tacos PlateUS$10.00

Slow Roasted Pork CarnitasUS$16.00

Beef Barbacoa Tacos PlateUS$14.00

Mushroom Tacos PlateUS$13.00

Pescado Tacos PlateUS$14.00

Mexican Pizza (Tlayuda)US$13.00

Butcher Steak FajitasUS$16.00

Al PastorUS$14.00

Chorizo Tacos PlateUS$12.00

Mole EnchiladasUS$16.00

Salads & Sides

Farro SaladUS$12.00

Ensalada VerdeUS$6.00

Fried PlantainsUS$5.00

Market VegetablesUS$6.00

Fingerling PotatoesUS$5.00

Desserts

Mexican Lime PieUS$7.00

Churro SandwichesUS$8.00

Dessert PlantainsUS$6.00

Vanilla FlanUS$5.00

Pumpkin PieUS$7.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

FAQs

Does El Jefe offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is El Jefe restaurant rated?

Is El Jefe currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information