El Pollo Tote

I am sad to say El Pollo Tote is closed. I am sorry you guys did not make it; it was not for the lack of trying.

The sad thing about Mexican food in Denver is that it all about the same. Walk into most places and you do not even need a menu. The restaurant will undoubtedly serve, burritos, tacos, tosadas and enchiladas. What makes this especially sad is that Mexico has an incredibly rich and diverse culinary tradition.
El Pollo Tote is different from most Mexican restaurants in that they serve Mexican style chicken. In particular, they serve a type of chicken one finds in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. They cook marinated half chickens in front of the store in what looks like an old oil barrel. A standard order comes with refried beans, rice and a roasted jalapenos. As condiments, they serve salsas and pickled red onions. The food is simple, inexpensive and very good.
There are a few other Mexican style chicken restaurants in Denver. Strangely, most of them are owned by Koreans. The food is decent in the Korean owned restaurants but ultimatley the food is made by employees and not family members. Visit El Pollo Tote and see the real deal.