Who knew that white queso could be the mythical unicorn of Mexican food? Oh, wait, for everyone who has ever lived in the south and then moved elsewhere, they know.

Some of you may be like “What’s the dealio with white queso?”, also known simply as cheese dip. So let me tell you, it is COMPLETELY different than queso, or really any yellow cheese substance you dip chips into.

The Search For White Queso

White queso is far superior. It’s like crack. I have been known to eat ungodly amounts of it. For some reason, this magical melted cheese is ridiculously hard to find west of the Mason Dixon line and north of Virginia. Honestly, I don’t know where in the north it disappears but it was rare in D.C.

To be completely honest, I find it absurd to not even offer any type of melted cheesy goodness at a Mexican restaurant because that is totally a thing here in Colorado – boo! When I spot queso on the menu I often scan their Google or Yelp images for the mythical white queso. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I do not find it. ::weeps into phone::

In the four years, I lived in Dallas, we only found white queso at one place. ONE! I actually got a text from a good friend overjoyed that he had found it at a Mexican spot in Deep Ellum. Now a hip part of town, Deep Ellum was a little off the beaten path in 2007 but we went, solely for the white queso. RIP Monica’s – you were a blast and a sanctuary for the white queso lovers of Dallas.

When I moved to Denver I searched and search with no luck. Every six months or so I would Google “white queso Denver” only to find a few threads from 2011 and earlier of lost white queso worshipers wondering where to get their fix around town. Texts between fellow southerners revolve solely around finding the perfect white queso.

ALAS! I have found the white queso!! Actually, a few spots in Denver and one in Breckenridge. As I seek out more white queso in Colorado, I will continue to update this list.

This post was originally published in 2019 but has been updated and recirculated for 2021.

Where to find White Queso in Denver

Kachina Cantina

LoDo/Dairy Block

This trendy Mexican spot in the Dairy Block has been a favorite for a while. We actually ate here right after we finished the Whole30 in 2018 and I downed their queso. However, we recently returned in December and ordered the queso again. This time it was different. It was thick and white and delicious! We immediately asked our waiter if this version was new, turns out they had just switched up the recipe. We told him it was perfect and DO NOT CHANGE IT. Kachina brunch tacos are also killer.

Los Portales Mexican Restaurant

Englewood

I heavily rely on Google reviews (vs. Yelp) so I figured I should probably start contributing, which I have done a so-so job of. But when Clay and I went on search of good Mexican in Englewood, we were pleasantly surprised to find some delicious white queso at Los Portales Mexican Restaurant. I snapped a pic and added it to Google. Every once in a while I get a message from Google telling me X amount of people have seen my photo and I feel like I have contributed to the greater good.

Moe’s Original Bar B Que

Englewood & Vail

I am going to let you in on a little secret. Moe’s has white queso. I discovered this when I ordered the Pork BBQ Nachos in the summer of 2017. Since that time I probably had over 50 orders of these nachos no joke. I had an addiction. We basically did Whole30 to kick the weekly habit.

Local Jones

Cherry Creek

As we chatted with the waitress at Local Jones about the menu, she mentioned they have a secret off-menu item – queso. Of course, my immediate question was “What color is it?!?!” When she said “White” I kind of lost it! LOL, I explained I have a whole blog post on white queso and we had to try it! Well, it’s a winner for sure!! The food is good, the drinks are good and the decor is soo Insta chic!

Federales

RiNo

This Austin transplant, Federales, nails it with their white queso! I was literally licking the bowl with my finger when we ran out of chips. Federals is located in the heart of RiNo and is a total vibe. Even at noon on sunny Saturday this place was packed. The big outdoor space is a great addition to the RiNo bar scene too.

Perdida Kitchen

Wash Park/Gaylord Street

Perdida coastal Mexican spot is brought to you by the great minds behind Park Burger and Birdcall. First, let’s talk about the decor of this space – gorgeous! I love the front patio – perfect on a winter day under the sun and heaters. Now the white queso – this stuff is so yummy and you can get it with short rib which is super fancy.

Community Sourced White Queso around Denver

My fellow white queso fanatics have slid into my DM’s with their white queso finds…

• • El Pueblito – Loveland, Greely & Ft. Collins
  • Los Dospotrillos – A few locations around town
  • El Nora Nora – Santa Fe & 7th
  • Yolanda’s Tacos – Castle Rock & Greenwood Village

White Queso Outside of Denver

Mi Casa

Breckenridge

For years this was my only refuge from the yellow queso of Colorado. I have ruined many a dinner by eating way too many chips and queso. When Clay and I got engaged, we came right to Mi Casa to celebrate with margs, queso, and champagne. Mi Casa will forever be my go-to spot in Breckenridge.

Bonez

Crested Butte

Of course, the genius behind my favorite pizza in the world serves delicious white queso in their Mexican joint! DUH! Bonez in Crested Butte is always a good choice – killer margs, food, and of course, white queso.

Salt & Lime

Steamboat

A follower slid into my DM’s and reminded me that the delicious and stylish Salt & Lime in steamboat also has white queso! Score!

UPDATE 2020: We got to-go “Four Cheese Queso” from salt this summer – not good. Not white queso… Did this change??

Casa Sanchez

Beuna Vist & Leadville

I had this in Leadville and totally forgot until a follower DM’d me about their new location in Buena Vista. This is some good white queso! Will update with a photo soon!

Community Sourced White Queso around Colorado

• Idaho Springs – Azteca Family Mexcian Restuarant

Not white queso but pretty damn good

(AKA good enough for me to want my own bowl)

Cochino Taco

Englewood & South Broadway

Our go-to Mexican spot in the hood, Cochino has killer queso, margs, and frozen Palomas!

The Rio

Downtown

Great for happy hour, groups, and cheap delicious queso and margs. Be careful with the margs, they will get you turnt.

Mas Kaos/Uno Mass

Tennyson, 6th

It’s not white, but the consistency is super similar to what we get in the south! Mas Kaos is a pizza taco love dream come true – Una Mas + Kaos Pizza – but since COVID I have yet to see queso on the menu so Una Mas (Just the tacos) may be your best bet.

The Pioneer Bar

DU

Okay, The Pioneer does have white queso, and it is good but the chips are not. They are not normal chips. They are giant circle chips you have to break up to dip which means they just crumble into a thousand tiny pieces. GET NEW CHIPS!

El Jefe Denver

Sunnyside

El Jefe’s in Denver is big with a large patio so perfect for groups. The food is on point and the drinks are too. The queso is not white but I was eating it with my finger while waiting for more chips. Then I dipped my brunch in it – it’s that good. (Or maybe I just really love melted cheese)

Los Chingones

RiNo, Central Park, DTC, Fort Collins

Los Chingones is a go-to Mexican spot for me and while their queso is not white is sooo delish! I particularly love spending a few hours sipping margs on the sunny rooftop in RiNo or in the lounge during winter.

 

Have you found white queso around town! TELL ME!! Slide into my DM’s, comment, or tweet me!

For more Denver food recommendations check out my Denver guide here.