The best Mexican food in Fort Collins is the kind made from scratch every single day, and that is exactly what we do at Cafe Mexicali. Scratch-made is food built from raw ingredients in our own kitchen rather than opened from a bag or a can. Since 2005, we have been serving fresh Mexican food right here in Fort Collins.
Why Fort Collins loves fresh Mexican food
Fort Collins is a food town. Between the college crowd, the trail runners, the families, and the folks who just appreciate a great meal, this city knows the difference between something reheated and something made with care. When you search for mexican food near me in Fort Collins, you are spoiled for choice, and that is a good thing. It means the bar is high.
We opened our first location here in 2005 with one goal: to serve Mexican genre food that is As Fresh As It Gets. That tagline is not marketing fluff. It is a promise we keep in the kitchen every morning. Every sauce, every meat, every bean, and every tortilla is made so that you could enjoy each one all by itself. If a single ingredient is not good enough to eat on its own, it does not belong on your plate.
What makes a Mexican restaurant worth your drive
Not all Mexican restaurants are the same, and when you are comparing your options for the best mexican restaurant fort collins has to offer, a few things separate the great from the forgettable. Here is what we think matters most.
| What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Made-from-scratch cooking | Fresh ingredients prepared daily taste bolder and more balanced than pre-made shortcuts. |
| Ingredients that stand alone | If the beans, meats, and sauces are delicious on their own, the whole dish is better. |
| Fast-casual speed | You should not have to choose between fresh food and a quick lunch. |
| Friendly, people-first service | A meal is better when you are greeted with a smile and treated like a regular. |
| Options for everyone | Allergen-aware menus and choices for different diets mean the whole table is happy. |
We built Cafe Mexicali around every one of these. Our owners, Rick Krammer and David Hoffman, care as much about how you are treated as they do about how the food tastes. Rick found his passion for cooking in college and has run several restaurant concepts, and his friendly leadership keeps every location running smoothly. David brings an analytical mind from his background as a Naval Officer and a mechanical engineering degree, which is exactly what a fast-paced kitchen needs.
What to order on your first visit
If it is your first time and you want to taste what scratch-made really means, here is where we would start. Think of this as a shortcut to the good stuff.
- A burrito loaded with your favorite meat. Our tortillas and meats are made to shine, so this is the classic move.
- Something with our beans. Beans are usually an afterthought elsewhere. Try ours and you will understand our whole philosophy.
- A dish that lets the sauce lead. Our sauces are made from scratch and balanced for bold flavor, so let one take center stage.
- Breakfast, if you can catch it. Our breakfast burrito is worth setting an alarm for.
Want to see everything before you go? Take a look at our full menu and plan your order. If you like to know exactly what is in your food, our team has written a helpful guide on allergen-friendly Mexican food that walks through the menu in detail.
Finding us when you search mexican restaurants near me
We started with one location in Fort Collins, and today we have grown to multiple locations, with franchising underway. That means when you type mexican restaurants near me, there is a good chance a Cafe Mexicali is closer than you think. You can find the spot nearest you on our locations page.
Curious how a single Fort Collins cafe turned into a growing family of restaurants? We told the whole story in The Cafe Mexicali Story: From Fort Collins to Franchise. It is a fun read, and it explains why we have stayed obsessed with fresh food the entire way.
More than just a lunch spot
Great Mexican food in Fort Collins is not only about your weekday burrito. We love being part of the community, and that shows up in a couple of ways.
Feeding a crowd. Whether it is an office lunch, a birthday, or a big backyard gathering, our catering brings the same scratch-made flavors to your event. If you have never planned catering before, our guide on how feeding a crowd works takes the guesswork out of it.
Giving back. We host fundraising nights that turn a good dinner into an easy win for schools, teams, and local groups. It is one of our favorite ways to support the town that supported us from day one. Learn more on our fundraising page.
Our mission is simple: serve everyone a smile and flavors we are sure you will love, using the freshest ingredients prepared daily.
The Cafe Mexicali difference
When you are weighing your options for mexican food fort collins locals actually recommend, remember what sets scratch-made apart. Fresh ingredients, bold and balanced flavors, food prepared daily, and a team that genuinely cares about your visit. We are not interested in shortcuts, and we are not interested in corporate sameness. We are interested in making the kind of meal you cannot wait to have again.
Come hungry, order something new, and taste why we say it is As Fresh As It Gets. We think you will be back before the week is out.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Cafe Mexicali the best Mexican food in Fort Collins?
Everything we serve is made from scratch daily using the freshest, highest quality ingredients. Every sauce, meat, bean, and tortilla is crafted to taste delicious on its own. That commitment to fresh, scratch-made food is what sets us apart in Fort Collins.
Where is Cafe Mexicali located?
We opened our first location in Fort Collins, Colorado in 2005 and have since grown to multiple locations. To find the one nearest you, visit our locations page.
Does Cafe Mexicali offer catering in Fort Collins?
Yes. We cater events of all sizes and bring the same scratch-made flavors you get in our cafe. You can learn more and get started on our catering page.
Can I host a fundraiser at Cafe Mexicali?
Absolutely. We host fundraising nights that help schools, teams, and community groups raise money over a great meal. Visit our fundraising page to see how it works.
Related reading: What Scratch-Made Mexican Food Actually Means
Related reading: Fresh Mexican Food: What's Behind Every Dish
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