Where To Find The Absolute Best Chili Rellenos In Denver, According To A Local

There's no shortage of places to get tasty chili rellenos in and around Denver, Colorado. Not only is the state famous for green chili, something that any good relleno is smothered with, but we also have a large Hispanic population, and Mexican food is easy to come by. Still, not all spots are worth going out of your way for, especially when a craving for chili rellenos hits (although having them on the menu is a major green flag). No need to worry, though. As a card-carrying Denverite for decades, I'll let you in on a secret: Los Dos Potrillos is hands-down the best place to get chili rellenos in the city.

This isn't a proclamation I make lightly — in fact, I've been on a mission to find the best chili rellenos in the city for as long as I've called Colorado home (26 years, to be exact), so I've had more than my fair share of them across the city. Regardless, Los Dos, as I lovingly call it, blows everyone else's attempts away. I go to the Denver proper location, but there are five additional spots in the surrounding areas (the original is in Centennial). Don't get it twisted, though — this isn't some corporate chain. The owner, Jose Ramirez, is a Denver-area native, and he serves up real Mexican food and all the authentic vibes you could want. So, the next time you've got a hankering for chili rellenos, look no further than Los Dos Potrillos.

For starters, the chili rellenos at Los Dos Potrillos can be ordered soft or crispy — why anyone would order them soft is beyond me, though — and when they say crispy, they freaking mean it. They may be smothered with ample amounts of green chili, but the rellenos themselves stay super crunchy. As for the green chili, it's the stuff dreams are made of. Spicy, saucy, and packed full of flavor, it's a showstopper for sure. It comes in a classic pork version and an extra-spicy vegetarian one as well, so everyone can enjoy it.

Inside the crispy exterior, you find Anaheim green chili pepper strips and Monterey jack cheese. One look at the staggering size of them and you just know they're fully stuffed, too. As a result, every bite provides you with a gooey, crunchy, spicy mouthful of goodness. A plate of chili rellenos also comes with rice, beans, diced tomatoes, chopped lettuce, and optional house-made tortillas on the side — get the tortillas, or you'll be sorry. Los Dos doesn't stop there, though. It also makes chili relleno nachos, and yes. They are just as amazing as they sound. 

There are a couple of other restaurants in Denver that give Los Dos' chili rellenos a run for their money, like La Fogata and La Loma. However, Los Dos has them beat when it comes to the overall quality and flavor. I'll fight anyone who disagrees.

Los Dos Potrillos' chili rellenos are the best in town, but that's not all the place has going for it. The menu is full of drool-worthy classic, regional Mexican dishes. When I can manage to order anything other than chili rellenos (it's hard not to), I get the cheese enchiladas, tableside guacamole (definitely not a basic recipe), or a good old-fashioned combination platter (with a relleno, of course). Every single one is a banger. Even the tortillas alone — corn or flour — are utter perfection. Fun fact: You can watch them being made in real time because the tortilla-making station is on full display in the dining room. 

Oh yeah, for all you margarita lovers out there, Los Dos Potrillos has your back in that regard, too. It features a menu full of tasty cocktails, but the margaritas come in a myriad of fun flavors, and frozen isn't off the table, either. The margs also come in various sizes, so you can opt to really get the party started or share a pitcher with friends. Regardless of whether or not you choose to imbibe, everything on Los Dos' menu is made with quality ingredients and an attention to detail that shines through deliciously in every dish and drink. So, I recommend you go for the best chili rellenos in Denver, and maybe a margarita too, but come back time and time again to try everything else.