Tucked into a shopping center at 6830 South Yosemite Street, Venalonzo’s Tacos may describe itself as a “little taco shop,” but the family-run Centennial restaurant has built a reputation that now reaches well beyond our city limits. The story begins with siblings Pako and Nati Venalonzo, who brought the flavors and traditions of their hometown of Mochitlán, Guerrero, Mexico, to Centennial.
Their menu draws from the herbs, spices, recipes and home-style cooking they grew up with, while the restaurant itself was created to feel less like a transaction and more like being welcomed to the family table.
That family philosophy is right there in the restaurant’s message: food brings people together. For Pako and Nati, the goal was never simply to cook, hand over an order and move to the next customer. They wanted to create food and an atmosphere that felt like home.
And Centennial was where they chose to begin.
The original Venalonzo’s opened here in 2022, eventually attracting enough attention to expand into Parker and Lone Tree.
What Should You Order?
If this is your first visit, there is one obvious place to start: the quesabirria.
Venalonzo’s folds its birria meat into a crispy corn tortilla with cheese, onions and cilantro, then serves it with rich consommé for dipping. The result has become one of the restaurant’s signature dishes.
But apparently birria saw the menu and decided tacos were only the beginning.
You can also find birria ramen, with noodles bathed in consommé and topped with birria, onions and cilantro; a birria burger pairing birria with Angus beef and melted cheese; and pizza-birria, built on a crispy flour tortilla with cheese, onions and cilantro and served, naturally, with more consommé for dipping.
For a more traditional taco run, choices include al pastor, asada, barbacoa, carnitas, chicken and grilled vegetables. The menu also stretches well beyond tacos with chile rellenos, enchiladas, tortas, alambres, burritos and quesadillas. Breakfast is served all day, including chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and breakfast burritos.
Centennial's Little Taco Shop Gets Big Attention
The word has definitely gotten out.
In 2024, Venalonzo’s beat a field of 32 restaurants to win the Denver Gazette’s reader-voted Taco Tournament. The following year, the Gazette continued to highlight the Centennial restaurant among notable Denver-area taco destinations.
Then in 2026, Westword selected Venalonzo’s for Best Birria Tacos, specifically calling attention to its slow-braised birria and the many ways the restaurant has reinvented it.
That recognition is impressive, but the reason Venalonzo’s belongs in Centennial Pulse Eats is even simpler: this growing Colorado restaurant story started here.
You can visit the original DTC/Centennial location at 6830 South Yosemite Street and explore the current menu, online ordering and other locations through the restaurant’s website.
Visit Venalonzo’s Tacos
So grab a few tacos, order the consommé, and perhaps venture into birria ramen territory while you are there.
Be sure to tell Venalonzo’s Tacos that Centennial Pulse sent you!
39 Comments
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Shoutout to Pako and Nati for keeping it real. Tacos just taste better when there’s some story behind them.
Absolutely, Pako and Nati’s story is at the heart of what makes Venalonzo’s so special, and you can taste that family tradition in every bite.
Vicente RuizAgree, knowing the backstory makes it even better. You can really feel the love in their food!
I always end up over-ordering here. Anyone else just want to sample everything?
Venalonzo’s is my first stop with out-of-town friends. That slow-braised birria really lives up to the hype.
Not sure about dipping pizza in consommé but hey, don’t knock it til you try it I guess.
Cool to hear how they’ve kept it feeling family-run even with new locations. The OG is still my favorite though.
miguelAZ17Same here. The original spot just feels special, but it’s nice that the new ones keep the same friendliness.
Went on Taco Tuesday and the vibe was so fun! Try the alambres plate if you’re extra hungry.
Tried the birria burger once, can confirm it’s ridiculously rich but worth every bite. Fork and knife recommended!
Huevos rancheros are a hidden gem on their menu. Don’t sleep on the salsas either, especially that spicy green one.
Love seeing Mochitlán get a shoutout. I grew up not far from there and it’s the real deal at Venalonzo’s!
The breakfast burritos are huge! My kids can split one and still have leftovers.
Thanks for sharing! Those burritos are definitely generous, perfect for families or anyone with a big appetite.
I have to admit, I miss the quieter days before all the awards. But good for them!
How busy does it get on Friday nights? We want to bring the whole family but not sure if waits get crazy.
Lisa R.We went last month around 6:30 and there was a line, but not too bad. I’d get there on the early side with a group, just in case.
I found Venalonzo’s through the Taco Tournament thing! Proud to see Centennial getting noticed.
We’re proud, too! The Taco Tournament win really put Centennial’s taco scene on the map.
It’s awesome to see a family business doing so well. Bring on more expansion! Lone Tree could use another location.
We love seeing the Venalonzo’s story grow, too, thanks for supporting local family businesses!
Dennis W.Lone Tree definitely needs more great taco spots! I hope they keep growing, but still keep that family vibe.
Any tips for vegetarians? I mostly go for the grilled veggie tacos but curious if folks have recs.
Great question, besides the grilled veggie tacos, you might try the chile rellenos or cheese and veggie quesadillas, both made fresh and full of flavor.
Not sure about pizza-birria but the quesabirria is a must. Always order extra consommé for dipping!
Hard to go wrong with the quesabirria, extra consommé is the pro move for maximum flavor!
Enchiladas verdes at Venalonzo’s are my weakness. Everything’s so fresh. Never had a bad meal.
I still remember when they opened in ‘22! Was so happy to see a real mom-and-pop spot in the DTC area.
It’s been wonderful watching Venalonzo’s become a DTC favorite since 2022, thanks for being there from the start!
Birria in ramen? Now I’ve seen everything. Can anyone who’s had it say if it’s weird or actually tasty?
chad_jI was skeptical too but honestly, the birria ramen is really good. The broth is super flavorful. Totally worth trying if you like birria!
Was just at the Centennial shop yesterday! Always a line but totally worth it. Staff really are like family too.
We LOVE Venalonzo’s for weekend breakfast. Chilaquiles and a horchata to start my day right.
A classic combo! Chilaquiles and horchata are hard to beat for a delicious start to the weekend.
Real Guerrero flavors in Colorado is such a treat. My abuela approves of the salsas at Venalonzo’s!
Gianni L.That means a lot coming from your abuela! The salsas are legit. The green one has just the right kick.
Asada tacos are always my classic order. The birria burger sounds wild though, not sure if that’s for me!
The original location is my go-to for lunch. Never had birria ramen before, but now I need to try it. Do they make it spicy?
I’ve only been to the Parker spot but omg the chile relleno is my comfort food. Quesabirria is legendary too. Worth every bite.