Guilty Pleasures

Katie Shapiro

We've turned the tables on Denver's top chefs to reveal their secret food faves.

Tyler Ward

Elway's Cherry Creek

"I go to Santiago's at least twice a week for the extra-hot green chile burrito and two beef tacos. Several of my cooks told me this was the place for real Mexican food, and they were right. Great food, cheap, friendly and fast. They know me now, so I always feel welcome."

Santiago's

5701 Leetsdale Dr.

303.333.5305

eatatsantiagos.com

Eloy Arellano

Grand Lux Cafe

"I love Guadalajara. I've been a customer since their first day of business and have grown to know the owners very well. Great ambience, great people and great food. That's all I need."

Guadalajara

1001 Abilene St., Aurora

303.696.0903

Daniel Landes, Watercourse Foods

"Our family lives on a one-acre farm half a block from Colfax in west Lakewood. It is not uncommon to be woken by the crow of a rooster and have goats and horses as neighbors. One time, our chickens jumped the fence and were well on their way to Fascinations down the block before we rounded them up and returned them to the coop. Our favorite neighborhood joint to get breakfast is Davies Chuckwagon. It's a classic, '40s-style, chrome diner that serves amazing pancakes. Look for the 40-foot cowboy tipping his hat and the life-size horse on the roof. The juxtaposition of walking from our farm to Colfax in a matter of minutes is a wonderful benefit of living in Lakewood."

Davies Chuckwagon

9495 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, 303.237.5252

davieschuckwagon.com

Elise Wiggins

Panzano

"Tacos Jalisco is cheap and delicioso! I love their green chile. It's made as if an abuela made it.

I was introduced to it by my girlfriend, Samantha. The place is super clean, and the staff is warm, polite and friendly. The green chile tacos are a must!"

Tacos Jalisco"¨

4309 W. 38th Ave.

303.458.1437

Mary Nguyen

Parallel 17

"I love the Shish Kabob Grill. It's family-run, the service is impeccable and the food is amazing and authentic "” especially the gyro and fries. The matriarch of the family runs the show, so you know you're actually getting momma's home cookin'."

Shish Kabob Grill

1503 Grant St.

303.837.8800

shishkabobgrill.com

Troy Guard

TAG

"Tacos Tijuana! This place is so rad! Tacos are 99 cents all day, every day. There are two great salsas: red with meat and green with chicken and pork. Try the sopas, all different animal organs that are very tasty. And you can't beat the old-school Galaga arcade game while you wait for your food. If you're there on the weekends, there is a taco stand in the parking lot, and they carve the pork right from the spit! It's an awesome late-night stop, too;

they're open until 3 am."

Tacos Tijuana

4406 Sheridan Blvd.

303.477.0121