El Jefe

4.8

680 Reviews

$30 and under

Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 2, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 3 times today

Great for creative cocktails
Great for brunch
Charming

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
Neighborhood
Highlands
Cross street
Alcott & 44th
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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

Main

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

Salads & Sides

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

Farro Salad$12.00
crispy brussels sprouts, cotija, pepitas, pickled raisin, roasted butternut squash, apple cider vinaigrette
Ensalada Verde$6.00
farm cucumber, radish, chives, arugula, cotija, cilantro vinaigrette
Fried Plantains$5.00
Market Vegetables$6.00
cotija, pepitas
Fingerling Potatoes$5.00
Pequin chili powder

Desserts

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

What 680 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Denver / Colorado
Lively
Denver / Colorado
Mexican
Denver
Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

El Jefe shines with its "amazing food and service," offering standout dishes like chorizo nachos, guacamole, and Al Pastor. Known as a "neighborhood gem," it boasts a friendly staff and a festive, relaxed atmosphere. Patrons rave about its brunch, margaritas, and authentic Mexican flavors.

680 Reviews

S
Sally
Denver
19 reviews
vip
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on October 20, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our ramales-making cooking group of 6 really enjoyed our reunion at Sunday brunch at El Jefe. We excited with the heat of the guacamole, and the new-to-us Xni Pec salsa. The dishes we ordered were colorful and satisfying with authentic succulent carnitas, outstanding potatoes, delicious hue is rancheros. The service was great—just the right amount of attention. We love the decor and the Sunnyside neighborhood. We’re already talking about when we can return to try the dinner menu with its great variety!
Is this helpful?
M
Megan
San Francisco
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on October 20, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Went for brunch on a Sunday. The staff was lovely, and atmosphere was festive and comfortable. The food was mid. Too much flavor all at once, super salty, horchata was like syrup it was so sweet. We loved the plantain stuffed french toast, but the chilaquiles and the chicharrones were both sub par.
Is this helpful?
V
Vinny
Denver
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on September 29, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Great food, good value, nice environment, not so crowded.
Is this helpful?
S
Short57
Washington DC
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 26, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and service. The mole enchiladas were wonderful.
Is this helpful?
n
nancy
Denver
31 reviews
vip
5.0
31 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful dinner with super fresh food-crab nachos, grilled octopus, mahi in an olive sauce. Yummy key lime pie! And great margaritas! We love El Jefe.
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V
Vanessa
Chicago
2 reviews
vip
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 19, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
The overhead lighting is so bright, it definitely impacted our experience. If you could not have the overhead lighting be so intense (it felt like dentist lighting) I think the experience would be so much better for people.
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H
Heber
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 25, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
One of the best I have been. The bar tender was really awesome. Feels like a family place. Everything was perfect.
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G
Gilbert
Denver
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on August 25, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It was a great meal, we had chorizo nachos that were delicious. Their guacamole is very good. And we enjoyed this with a very delicious El Jefe margarita. Highly recommend the nachos!
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A
Alison
Denver
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on August 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Local neighborhood favorite!! Quesabirria and tortilla soup are some of our favorites.
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M
Matt
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 10, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic dinner - we shared multiple starters and mains and loved all of them. Highly recommend
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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 4.8 stars by 680 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 2, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 3 times today

Order delivery or takeout

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

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Alcott & 44th
Neighborhood
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
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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 reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

To Start

3 Salsas$6.00

Guacamole$8.00

Winter Quesadilla$8.00

Crab Nachos$12.00

Pulpo*$13.00

Chicharrones$4.00

Queso$8.00

Shrimp Ceviche*$9.00

Brussel Sprouts$7.00

Main

Winter Relleno$14.00

Chicken Tacos Plate$10.00

Slow Roasted Pork Carnitas$16.00

Beef Barbacoa Tacos Plate$14.00

Mushroom Tacos Plate$13.00

Pescado Tacos Plate$14.00

Mexican Pizza (Tlayuda)$13.00

Butcher Steak Fajitas$16.00

Al Pastor$14.00

Chorizo Tacos Plate$12.00

Mole Enchiladas$16.00

Salads & Sides

Farro Salad$12.00

Ensalada Verde$6.00

Fried Plantains$5.00

Market Vegetables$6.00

Fingerling Potatoes$5.00

Desserts

Mexican Lime Pie$7.00

Churro Sandwiches$8.00

Dessert Plantains$6.00

Vanilla Flan$5.00

Pumpkin Pie$7.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does El Jefe offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is El Jefe restaurant rated?

Is El Jefe currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information