As far as food goes in Colorado, you’ll find a melting pot of all different kinds of cultures and dishes. As a solidly Southwestern state, we have some pretty excellent Mexican restaurants around here, and one of the best just happens to be this tiny spot in the town of Lafayette. The authentic Mexican food served here has been perfected through long-standing family traditions, and once you try it, you won’t want to go anywhere else.

Welcome to Efrain's Mexican Restaurant & Cantina in Lafayette!
Mike Bison/Google Local
In may not look like much from the outside, but it’s hiding a vibrant world of flavors inside.
Guy Bickel/Google Local
The owner, Efrain, has operated many eateries in his 30 years in the restaurant business, but it’s this tasty restaurant in Lafayette that has become one of our favorites.
Efrain's features authentic Northern Chihuahua cuisine, which is a high-altitude desert region in Mexico - making this cooking style perfect for our own high-altitude location here in Colorado.
Janna H./Foursquare
The Northern Chihuahua tradition brings bold flavors to each dish. Make sure to try the Chile Verde or Efrain Burrito, which is smothered in green chile and pork.
Nathan C./Foursquare

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Don’t Let The Outside Fool You, This Mexican Restaurant In Colorado Is A True Hidden Gem
Efrain's famous house margarita is a local hit and pairs perfectly with any meal.
Alan C./Foursquare
This hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant might be unassuming, but their flavors are robust and the chili is hot as ever.
Chaz C/TripAdvisor
It's not hard to see why this little restaurant has gained so much recognition. Everything is made fresh daily, and the chefs start cooking as early as 6 a.m. to prepare the delightful dishes.
Efrain's Mexican Restaurant - Boulder, CO/Facebook
This little restaurant in Lafayette is an amazing experience for authentic Mexican food from a humble heritage and is arguably the best Mexican food in all of Colorado.
Kishin Wadhwani/Google Local
And if you can’t make it to Lafayette, there’s actually a second Efrain's location in Boulder! Efrain's II Mexican Restaurant has won "Best Mexican Food In Boulder" year after year.

The original Efrain’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina is located at 101 E. Cleveland St., Lafayette, CO. It is open Monday & Wednesday – Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (the restaurant is closed on Tuesdays). For more information, visit the Efrain’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina website here.

The second location, Efrain’s II Mexican Restaurant, can be found at 1630 N. 63rd St., Boulder, CO. This location is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is closed on Sundays. For more information, visit the Efrain’s II website here.

Have you ever been to Efrain’s? What did you order? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!

Looking for more Mexican food in Colorado? Check out this timeless restaurant in Denver.

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