From thick and chunky to spicy and smooth, these are the green chilis worth seeking out this winter.

By Colton Strickler

You don’t have to look very hard if you’re in search of some good green chili in and around the Denver area. Almost every restaurant offers either a bowl as a menu item or a dish that includes green chiles as an ingredient. It’s a Colorado staple. While I love green chiles on my burger and my pizza as much as anyone, what I really like is a warm, spicy bowl of green chili.

Let me first paint a picture of what I consider to be a good candidate. I prefer my chili to be thick, chunky and spicy. It can’t be too thick, though, and it can’t be too chunky. In my opinion, a good green chili exists somewhere in between these parameters. I have spent the better part of 2025 trying and reviewing one offering each week, and have assembled a list of 15 of my favorite spots to grab a bowl around town. If you are looking for some of the finest mouthwatering choices from the Front Range to warm you up over the winter months, here are a few places that I really enjoyed:

El Taco De Mexico

714 Santa Fe Dr., Denver
The green chili at El Taco De Mexico is arguably the gold standard in Denver. It looks and tastes the way a bowl of green chili should. My latest bowl had a ton of tender pork, was nice and spicy, and tasted great. You can’t go wrong with a bowl from El Taco De Mexico.

Brewery Bar II

150 Kalamath St., Denver
This is another heavy hitter in the Denver scene. Brewery Bar II has been serving award-winning green chili for the better part of 40 years, and it’s not hard to see why once you dive into one of their bowls. The chili features large chunks of pork and peppers, and it borders on the tongue-numbing stage. If you find yourself dealing with a winter cold over the next few months, a bowl of this chili would certainly help clear your head and fill up your stomach.

Little Anita’s New Mexican Foods

1550 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver
Little Anita’s New Mexican Foods makes a beautiful bowl of green chili. The large chunks of green and red peppers create a nice-looking chili that also tastes great. This is another bowl of chili that will singe a few taste buds if you’re not ready for it. It is delicious, though, and one of the best spots in Denver to get your fix. Plus, after you enjoy a bowl of their green chili, the kind folks at Little Anita’s will bring you a fresh sopapilla, and that’s a great way to conclude your mouthwatering experience.

El Aguascalientes Mexican Restaurant

Wheat Ridge, Brighton, Lakewood
The presentation at El Aguascalientes is the dictionary definition of what a green chili should be. There are no frills, but it looks great, smells great, and tastes great. It isn’t too thick or too thin and is nice and peppery. If you are craving a good, all-around bowl of green chili, you will not be disappointed with El Aguascalientes.

The Original Chubby’s Denver

1231 W 38th Ave., Denver

When I think of Denver green chili, I think of The Original Chubby’s. The characteristics that distinguish Chubby’s from some of the other green chilis on the board are the color and consistency. Chubby’s chili has a distinct orange look and is speckled with little chunks of chile peppers and tender bits of pork. The chili is creamier than others on the list, almost like a soup, and has a nice, spicy finish.

El Jardin Restaurant

6460 E 73rd Ave., Commerce City
El Jardin serves up a great bowl of green chili. Featuring large chunks of tender peppers and flavorful pork, this is another chili that looks, smells, and tastes great. If you aren’t a fan of the heat, El Jardin’s has you covered by offering chilis with different levels of spice. I thought that I ordered the spiciest one available, but I’ve heard that there are two secret chilis that they don’t list on the menu that will kick it up a notch.

Los Carboncitos

Multiple Locations
The green chili at Los Carboncitos is the definition of comfort food. It has a great color, a great consistency, and a great taste. On a cold, snowy day, there is nothing better to warm you up and satisfy your hunger than a bowl of chili from Los Carboncitos. The peppers and pork pack a flavorful punch before a perfect finish.

La Loma

Multiple Locations
La Loma is another acclaimed Denver green chili spot. Just about every “Best Of” list you see includes La Loma, and this one is no different because it is that good. The spice level is perfect, but the distinguishing characteristics of La Loma’s chili are the lime green coloring, consistency and the freshness of the ingredients. La Loma’s green chili almost has a puree feel to it, and the pork melts on your tongue. It’s a well-crafted chili that has rightfully earned a spot on the list for the best offerings in Denver.

Bull & Bush Brewery

4700 Cherry Creek S. Dr., Denver

Bull & Bush Brewery makes one of the most unique green chilis on the list. It’s also one of my favorites. What separates this contribution from the rest of the pack is that it’s served to you deconstructed. The chili itself is delicious, and it’s served with fresh diced onions, cheese, and green chile crisps on the side, allowing you to enjoy the green chili the way that you want. I go light on the cheese, but I like to throw in all of the onions and green chile crisps to add a nice crunch to every bite. In addition to great beer, Bull & Bush makes a very tasty green chili with a unique twist that isn’t too spicy.

Old Capitol Grill & Smokehouse

1122 Washington Ave., Golden
For those looking for chili on the west side of town, the Old Capitol Grill & Smokehouse in Golden has a great one on the menu. It checks all of the boxes that I look for in a chili: great consistency, great spice, and great flavor. The first thing I noticed about this green chili was how good the chunky peppers and pork smelled when it came out. This chili can hang with the best of them.

George’s Cafe

6504 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada
This old-school Arvada restaurant has been serving delicious food for a long time, and they’ve crafted a delicious green chili that is a little different from what you’ll find elsewhere. The green chili on the menu at George’s Cafe features tender pork and a comfortable level of heat. The thing that distinguishes it from others on the list is the way that it’s seasoned. Every place seasons their chili a little differently, and something about the way George’s Cafe makes theirs makes it stand out amongst the crowd.

The Buffalo Restaurant & Bar

1617 Miner St., Idaho Springs
The best place to get out of the I-70 ski traffic and warm up on your way back down from a day on the slopes is the Buffalo Bar and Restaurant in Idaho Springs. This chili takes the cake for the fanciest presentation, but it backs it up with great flavor and spice. It smells as good as it looks, and tastes even better. It’s thick, spicy, and delicious. Cilantro is front and center and a welcome addition to the dish. The restaurant is paired up with Westbound & Down Brewing Co., which adds to its appeal.

Cochino Taco

Multiple Locations
Cochino Taco makes a really authentic chili. The orange color of this green chili is the way that a good green chili is supposed to look. I loved the way it smelled when it came out of the kitchen – like a garden, and it tasted as fresh as it smelled. The shredded cheese melted perfectly into the chili, creating a thick, gooey bowl of happiness that finished with a kick. Cochino Taco makes a seriously delicious green chili.

Lot One

13730 W. 85th Drive, Ste. 101, Arvada
The green chili at Lot One is a heavy hitter. It’s thick and chunky and features deliciously seasoned and tender pork that tastes great. Lot One’s chili doesn’t knock you on your back with spice, but what it lacks in heat, it makes up for in flavor. Not only does Lot One make some delicious green chili, but they also make some of the best macaroni and cheese you’ll find anywhere.

Torres Mexican Food

1597 S. Federal Blvd., Denver
If you’re looking for a solid, all-around good green chili, look no further than Torres Mexican Food. This chili is a touch thinner than I like, but it possesses a nice color and features good-sized chunks of perfectly prepared peppers and pork. It grabs your attention with a spicy finish that will leave an impression, but won’t scare you away.

Colton Strickler is a proud Colorado native. He has covered the Colorado State Rams men’s basketball and football programs, the Denver Broncos, and was Major League Rugby’s lead writer before contributing to Thirst Colorado. He likes to spend his free time watching football, trying new restaurants, and working on his newsletter, The Cowboy Collar.