Denver Restaurant Guide

Our family opened our first restaurant, El Zarape over 30 years ago. Even though the restaurant closed, this experience set the pace for our love of the restaurant industry. At the time, it seemed like leasing kitchens was the way to go, so off we went leasing kitchens providing our 4 food (mostly bars). In 1979, we leased the kitchen at The Blue Bonnet (which back then, was a hole in the wall), but with our recipes and family members as our staff, we soon helped them become one of Denver's favorite Mexican restaurants.

With success and experience under our belts, we purchased and opened Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant in Thornton, Colorado in 1982. After our lease expired at the Blue Bonnet in 1989, we opened Dora's Mexican Restaurant and Lounge in a strip mall - the old Aurora Summit spot. Four years later, an opportunity to buy a vacant, neglected building (where Calientes and Tequila Willy's once operated) was presented to us. We saw the potential, so our family rolled up our sleeves, put on our tool belts and began the renovation. On November 1,1994, we proudly opened Dora's Mexican Restaurant and Lounge and welcome you, your family and friends to come experience our lovely atmosphere and sample our delicious meals. We can't wait to serve you!