Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
Ot Cinco Decor - El Jefe, Denver, CO

El Jefe

4.7 (709)
$30 and under
Mexican
2450 W 44th Ave, Denver, CO 80211-1508

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 2 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Great for brunch
  • Lively
Our menu is inspired by the Mexican regions of Yucatán, Oaxaca, and Veracruz. We strive to respect the influences and traditions of these diverse cultures to bring you food that is uniquely El Jefe.

We believe in doing things the right way. Not because it’s trendy or cool, but because it’s right. We change our menu with the grow season, supporting our neighbors and the terroir of Colorado. We are not your average Mexican joint, rather a reflection of our environment and beliefs.

We hand make our tortillas every day. All of our pork comes from one whole hog. Our chefs breakdown the whole animal, for chorizo, appetizers, stocks, soups, and entrees. Nothing is wasted. We do this out of respect for the animal and for the people who raised them for us. Anything we can produce in our kitchen is done by us, with love. No frills, just good food.

We do an amazing brunch on the weekends, and by default or menu is nearly 100% gluten free.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Farm-to-table, Contemporary Mexican
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat 10:00 am–3:00 pm Sun 10:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue, Thu, Fri 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Sat 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Eusebio Silvario
  • Private party facilities
    The Crown Room at El Jefe is great for holiday parties, cocktail parties, corporate team building events, movie nights, game-day parties, rehearsal dinners, family reunions bridal/baby showers and more.
  • Neighborhood
    Highlands
  • Cross street
    Alcott & 44th
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 709 people are saying

El Jefe reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Denver / Colorado

    Mexican

  • Denver

    Great for brunch

  • Denver

    Mexican

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
El Jefe offers an "on point culinary experience" with "great food, service, and vibe." Known for "authentic Mexican cuisine," it's a "local neighborhood gem" with "great deals on Taco Tuesday" and "excellent brunch options." Despite occasional service hiccups, the "food is delicious" and the "vibe is great."
709 Reviews
  1. Krista

    Denver / Colorado7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service was great, food was even better - had a great time celebrating Father's Day here!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Robert

    Denver / Colorado1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    HIghly recommend this place if you want truly on point culinary experience

    Is this helpful?

  3. Caroline VIP

    Denver / Colorado4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 28, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The guac is the BEST! Great food, service and vibe! Denver’s best kept secret!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Gloria VIP

    Denver / Colorado18 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 25, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Although the place was loud and the service (well, our server at least) was haughty, we would go back to El Jefe for the food, which was good. The preparations were interesting, portions ample, and made with quality ingredients. That perhaps justifies the prices, but they none the less feel high, especially given the inattentive service. 4 out of 5 stars feels about right.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Andrew

    Denver / Colorado1 review

    4.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The brunch entrees were very good, and the marg was tasty. :-)

    Is this helpful?

  6. Nancy VIP

    Denver / Colorado1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My family and I go to El Jefe every chance we get! Have ordered a variety of dishes and loved every one of them!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Joseph

    Austin4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 4, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent experience - Greta wait staff, food and setting! Also great bottomless mimosas!! Thank you!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Kathy

    Denver / Colorado10 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    We’ve dined here several times. Always great service and food. Our only complaint is we’ve had to wear jackets throughout the entire evening. Doesn’t appear to be any certain area just overall temperature.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Mike

    Denver / Colorado46 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was fantastic and people so friendly - what a local neighborhood gem. We had the Mole and Mahi, both were amazing and even better ... were delivered by the owner. What a place and have to say that we will be back very soon.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Lexi VIP

    Denver / Colorado4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and service is always incredible and there are great deals on Taco Tuesday! My favorite spot in the neighborhood!!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

El Jefe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (720) 389-7615.

El Jefe is rated 4.7 stars by 709 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Denver / Colorado
  4. Denver
  5. Highlands

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 2 times today
Google Map for El Jefe

2450 W 44th Ave, Denver, CO 80211-1508

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Alcott & 44th
  • Neighborhood
    Highlands
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat 10:00 am–3:00 pm Sun 10:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue, Thu, Fri 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Sat 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Farm-to-table, Contemporary Mexican
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Eusebio Silvario
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    The Crown Room at El Jefe is great for holiday parties, cocktail parties, corporate team building events, movie nights, game-day parties, rehearsal dinners, family reunions bridal/baby showers and more.
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Businesses
  • Restaurant Management Solutions
  • Restaurant Reservation Software
  • Restaurant Marketing Software
  • Restaurant Event Software
  • OpenTable For Restaurants
  • OpenTable For Restaurant Groups
  • Restaurant Resources
  • OpenTable Pricing & Plans
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo