Taqueria Amigo Chino is as authentically Mexican as it can be for a place with a Denver omelet on the menu and a neon sign in the window that reads "ham and eggs." This American fare seems slightly out of context for a restaurant that offers some solid Mexican staples.
Colorful paintings, clay pots and bull horns hang from the walls. There's even a deer head peering solemnly from the back wall, but you won't find any venison on the menu. Instead, meaty selections include a ton of beef and chicken, prepared any way you like it; grilled, breaded, simmered.
There are no appetizers on the menu, but a complimentary caddy of salsas (pulled straight from the old-school Coca-Cola cooler in the corner) should be enough to stave off your hunger until that hot dog you ordered comes out. The trio (served with chips, of course) includes pico de gallo (mild), salsa verde (medium) and chile de arbol (tear-jerking spicy).
And just in case you've forgotten what a can of Sprite looks like, the menu has photos. Pictures of the entrees are actually quite helpful and only misleading in the sense that the dishes are not really the size of your thumb. These meals ($10-$15) are served on cast-iron planks and take up about half of the table. Bring a friend or you'll be eating leftovers for days.
Average cost: $10-$20
Centerstage Reviewer: Stacy Warden
