Santo

Don’t let the strip mall location fool you—while the setting is casual, the food and overall experience feel a step above your typical neighborhood spot. The portions are generous (come hungry). The standout dishes for us were the queso fundido and the guacamole—both were absolutely top-notch and worth coming back for on their own. The kids were also big fans of the fresh-squeezed orange juice, which was a nice touch you don’t always find. The refried beans were also great, but the entrees weren't a standout for us.

Docking one star because of a lack of transparency in adding a 7% kitchen fee - I have no problem with them doing this but make sure to inform me when I am paying and perhaps reflect this in the signature tip screen - with the minimum tip offer initially being 20% it just feels manipulative. Either reflect your entire menu with the pricing or just be very transparent about the 7%. Also, we had a toddler and got fish tacos - asked the waitress if they were spicy and she did put the salsa on the side but the fish itself is incredibly spicy especially for a toddler. We had to send it back based on this. The tacos are very stacked and high quality but not sure i wouldn’t prefer $3 tacos from a simpler spot. Just be aware 2 tacos for $18 is a little aggressive.

Enjoyed my first sit down experience at Santo. I've had the breakfast burritos and loved those. Though I wish I could get them after 11. Service was well paced and informative. Loved loved loved the blue corn chips and smoked pineapple salsa. Everything we had was well priced not too much food as we had desert as well. Will definitely be back.

I visited this delightful restaurant for the first time on a Thursday evening. I was promptly seated by the manager themself, Sam, and attended to and engaged by some of the most pleasant and personable waitstaff I can remember ever having. I ordered entirely based on recommendations, and each dish wowed me in turn. I started with the classic chips and guac, alongside a modern take on elote salad. I also enjoyed a Fermentation Batch #7 cocktail, a unique and refreshing drink. My companion and I each got a blueberry basil limeade, a fantastic alcohol-free option. The chips were a visually pleasing green corn blend, and they paired perfectly with both the guac and the salad. For the main course, my companion and I shared the chicken mole and the reverence trout. Both rendered us speechless. The complexity of flavor and cleverness of composition tickled our palates scintillatingly. Finishing with the tres leches cake ensured that both body and soul were fully satisfied. I also had the privilege of sitting beneath the visual masterpiece that is the abstract canvas on the back wall, which my server, Amos, informed me was a custom piece done by a local Boulder artist. Overall, Santo delivered a magical night in Boulder, and I cannot recommend it enough. For both delicious and distinctive food, as well as a cheery and charismatic staff and atmosphere, you can't do much better.