Los Dos Potrillos Mexican Restaurant - Highlands Ranch

Los Dos Potrillos is the work of the Cordero family, originally from Aguascalientes, Mexico, who opened the first location in Centennial in 2002 and added Highlands Ranch and Parker over the next 15 years. Carlos Cordero (the father) and his sons run the kitchens; the family also operates a tequila distillery and brewery on the same business. The Highlands Ranch location at 35 W Springer Drive is the busiest of the three on weekends and the closest to most of north DougCo.

The menu reads regional Mexican, not Tex-Mex. Tacos al pastor with marinated pork shoulder topped with fresh pineapple. Chiles rellenos with poblano and a slow tomato sauce. Molcajete (the volcanic-rock bowl with mixed grilled meats and vegetables) for two or three to share. Carne asada from the dedicated grill. Ceviche made daily. Street tacos in the late-night menu. The tortillas are pressed in-house, which is the kind of detail you can taste in the first bite.

Margaritas are the bar's signature and they live up to the reputation. Classic on the rocks, a strawberry-jalapeño house version, a tamarind variant, and a margarita flight (three smaller pours) for trying multiple. They run strong; one is a meal, two is a cab home. The tequila list is over 100 deep.

The wait is the trade-off. Saturday nights run 60-90 minutes without a reservation; Sundays after church get a brunch crowd that backs up by 11:30am. OpenTable bookings open three weeks out and the prime slots fill the day they release. If you can't book, eat at the bar; the same kitchen, the same margaritas, faster turnover.