Quijote's Mexican Grill ~ Colorado Springs, Colorado

Latest visit: Mar 2024

First visit: Apr 2018

Back at Quijote's for the first time this year, much later than usual. As noted below, we used to come here often. Before the pandemic at least twice a month, but now maybe twice a year. I did take Mr. Music here last April, and that was the last time I'd been. Mrs. RJG and I were craving a spicy Mexican breakfast, so we made the pilgrimage down south for some yummy green chile - mine burying a burrito, hers the chile relleno. Mrs. RJG said it wasn't as good this time, something about the cheese not tasting right. Mine was the same as always, super great. Chips and salsa were good as well. Quijote's used to be packed on a Saturday morning, but we were the only ones there today. And even though they too have had to raise their prices, they're still cheaper than everywhere else. Doesn't matter, too far from zero for most folks to afford. Once competition reenters the markets, we should see some normalization to all of this. But until then, it's survival of the fittest. If the below updates aren't clear enough, do not miss going to Quijote's and trying their spicy green.

---2/18/23 update

Back again for our annual review. Last year's note said nothing more than still our favorite restaurant in Colorado Springs. And that could suffice here too, but I'll add a little more color this time. Since we were last here, they reopened their breakfast / lunch space on the north side of their (rather large) building. They also gussied it up and made it more sleek. We also noticed the calming jazz music. Perhaps someone mentioned the B Street Cafe? All restaurants should take note of this. Ditch the annoying pop music. On this visit, I went with the ham breakfast burrito smothered in spicy green. That chile is arguably the best in town - and certainly one of the hottest. I probably will go back to bacon next time as the salty meat penetrates better the acute flavor of the chile. Mrs. RJG had a chile relleno smothered in the same green along with a side of rice. We were both crying at the end. Because we were sad that it was over? Maybe. Well, you know why. We don't come to Quijotes as much as we used to, or would like to. Part of that is they're not open on Sundays, as they were when we first moved here. And our Saturday schedule tends to fill up. But on this gloomy and cold Saturday, it seemed the perfect antidote. Oh - and it's still the cheapest meal in the Springs. Glad my readership here in the Springs is still light - because there should be a line around the door. 

---original 1/30/21 review

If there was ever a reason to restart the RJG, it's been Quijotes. As you can see, the first visit goes back to April 2018, and that's because we were here to do our new home "walk through". Sort of a pain in the butt (not to mention expensive), as we had to fly from DFW to do this. Oh well, not one to complain, the RJG is always up for trying new restaurants when traveling. For whatever reason, all the hotels up north were sold out or super expensive, so we stayed south by the airport. Mrs. RJG and I knew it was going to be a long day, so why not enjoy an old school Colorado Mexican breakfast on the way north. But where? A quick search suggested Quijotes might be our kind of place. We've been going back ever since.... It's not around the corner, but who cares? Honestly nothing is that far in Colorado Springs. It's not like going from White Settlement to Wylie in DFW.

So what's the draw here? Smothered burritos (as if you have to ask). And, in particular, their hot green. They have a mild one, which isn't to our taste honestly. But the hot is seriously spicy. Like crazy-I-can't-believe-you-can-get-this-at-a-restaurant hot. And super flavorful, which is required given the heat level. We have never tasted anything like this chile - ever, anywhere. And we seek this stuff out! I usually get the egg and bacon breakfast burrito. And it's unbelievably low priced. Not only is this the best food in town - it's the cheapest! Mrs. RJG will sometimes get the huevos rancheros buried in the same green sauce to much glee and delight. Oh, and the salsa that comes with the chips is great too (chips aren't free, but you have extra money to burn here).  Everywhere we live - or travel to - we find a favorite. And with almost 3 full years in Colorado Springs, Quijotes is ours! Not much else to say about that.

The location is split into 2 dining rooms - one is a small area that primarily was used during the week to handle sit down and to-go customers. In what has to be considered a genius business decision, they also opened up a large space that was to be used as a karaoke bar and dance floor for the weekend evenings. Well guess what? That's now their primary sitting area, and it's spacious so as to handle the pandemic regulations. Good things happen to good people. Oh, the ladies who own and work here are wonderful. Tough as nails, but sweet as pie too. Go here.

4/20/18; 1/25/20; 7/3/20; 1/30/21 (new entry); 3/5/22; 2/18/23; 3/30/24