September 2017 - Emma Heirendt

September 26, 2017May 8, 2025

Best Breakfast Burritos In Denver

When I married my husband, I knew I was marrying someone who was hilarious, intelligent, strong-willed and remarkably kind. Little did I know I was also marrying a breakfast burrito aficionado. JACKPOT.

Seriously though, my husband loves his breakfast burritos and he knows quality when he tastes it. One of our favorite Saturday morning activities is trying a new breakfast burrito and ranking it against others we have tried.

Who ever said research was boring? Research is delicious, especially when served with a side of green chile.

Little Anita’s

CURRENT FAVORITE

Address: 1550 S Colorado Blvd Denver, CO 80222

Hours: Mon – Fri 6:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Sat 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Sun 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Little Anita’s is located in an unassuming strip mall in Denver, as most local Mexican restaurants are, but what this restaurant lacks in curb-appeal they make up for in flavor. As I previously mentioned, my husband is the breakfast burrito whisperer while I am his trusty sidekick with little opinion and a lot of early morning sass. However, when trying this burrito I dropped most of my a.m. attitude and said, “Ok FINE, you’re right. This breakfast burrito is the bee’s knees.”

Our rating: 4.3/5

Presentation 5/5

Balance of ingredients 3/5

Sauce selection N/A

Overall taste 5/5

Building interior and comfort level 5/5

Building exterior and appeal 2/5

Staff friendliness and speed 5/5

Amount of food by cost 5/5

Breakfast burrito selection: Egg, chile and cheese, plus your choice of meat, potatoes and type of chile

Other ratings: Google rating: 4.1/5 , Yelp rating 4/5, Zomato rating: 3.7/5, Nominated for Best Breakfast on Denver A List

Taco Mex

Address: 7840 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220 THIS LOCATION CLOSED AS OF 2025

Hours: Fri and Sat 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m., Sun – Thurs 8 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.

If you’re looking for a dine-in breakfast burrito option look no further than Taco Mex. This location is full of charm and very comfortable for a fast food restaurant. Plus, they have a bar full of sauce options and taco garnishes which, according to my husband, meant a free “lifetime supply of green chile.” Don’t listen to him, guys, only take what you need.

Our rating: 3.8/5

Presentation 2/5

Balance of ingredients 5/5

Sauce selection 5/5

Overall taste 5/5

Building interior and comfort level 4/5

Building exterior and appeal 2/5

Staff friendliness and speed 5/5

Amount of food by cost 3/5

Breakfast burrito selection: Ham, bacon or chorizo

Other ratings: Google rating: 3.8/5 , Zomato rating: 3.5/5, Rated #4 best breakfast burrito by Westword

The Original Chubby’s

Address: 1231 W 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80211

Hours: Mon – Thurs 6:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m., Fri and Sat 6:00 a.m.-3:00 a.m.

Either The Original Chubby’s got a face lift or we were super drunk the last time we came here. Just kidding. Sort of. I’m obsessed with the new building. They even have an adorable little patio. The sauces are incredible too, if not a little misleading. The mild is SO MILD and the hot is SUPER HOT. There’s really no middle ground here.

Our rating: 3.75/5

Presentation 2/5

Balance of ingredients 5/5

Sauce selection 1/5

Overall taste 4/5

Building interior and comfort level 5/5

Building exterior and appeal 5/5

Staff friendliness and speed 3/5

Amount of food by cost 5/5

Other ratings: Google rating 3.7/5, Yelp rating 3/5, Zomato rating 4/5, Rated #7 on the Definitive Denver Green Chile Ranking on The Thrillist.

Burrito Giant PERMANENTLY CLOSED

Burrito Giant, 4501 W 38th Ave, Guerilla Garden — Burrito Giant, 4501 W 38th Ave, Artist: Guerilla Garden

Address: 4501 W 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80212

Hours: Mon – Sat 6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Sun 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

I can’t understand for the life of me how this place received such a high rating from my husband. I think it may have something to do with the fact that we were incredibly hungry and I asked him to provide his ratings mid-bite. Let me put it this way, when my husband asked for a cup of water, they handed him a cup and said, “potable water is available in the restroom.” If you can ignore that and the gym equipment in the dining room, this place has decent burritos.

Our rating: 3.5/5

Presentation 4/5

Balance of ingredients 2/5

Sauce selection 5/5

Overall taste 3/5

Building interior and comfort level 1/5

Building exterior and appeal 3/5

Staff friendliness and speed 5/5

Amount of food by cost 5/5

Breakfast burrito selection: Egg and potato, plus your choice of chile and meat

Other ratings: Google rating: 4.5/5 , Yelp rating 4.1/5, Zomato rating: 2.8/5, Currently #5 Best burrito in Denver on Denver A List

Santiagos

Address: 10400 E 6th Ave, Aurora, CO 80010

Hours: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., closed on Sundays

Santiago’s is kind of a big deal in Denver. Almost every office building in Denver orders Santiago’s for their employees because it’s cheap, delicious and a crowd pleasure. My husband and I just haven’t been that impressed. It’s good, sure, but not nearly as good as some of the other whole in the wall restaurants.

Our rating: 2.6/5

Presentation 2/5

Balance of ingredients 5/5

Sauce selection 1/5

Overall taste 3/5

Building interior and comfort level 2/5

Building exterior and appeal 3/5

Staff friendliness and speed 3/5

Amount of food by cost 2/5

Other ratings: Google rating 3.9/5, Yelp rating 3/5, Zomato rating 2.7/5, Rated #11 on Where to Get Denver’s Best Breakfast Burritos on The Infatuation.

We plan on updating this list as we try more breakfast burritos across Denver. I personally can only handle about one breakfast burrito a month while my husband could eat one for breakfast, second breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Have you tried any of these breakfast burritos? Which is your favorite?

Solving your traveling dilemmas,

Emma

September 21, 2017May 28, 2020

How I Stopped Biting My Nails In 3 Easy Steps

I have been a life-long nail biter. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t bite my nails. This made it all the more difficult to quit. Fortunately, I found a way to kick the habit four months ago and I’ve never looked back.

Here are 3 easy steps to follow to quit biting your nails.

Identify an upcoming event

I chose my family reunion. I talk with my hands and I didn’t want my aunts, uncles, cousins etc. to see my gross fingernails. I had a month until the event and I decided to stop biting my nails so they would look semi-normal when I saw everyone. Every time I was tempted to bite I would remind myself of the upcoming reunion and how embarrassed I would be if my nails were a mess for it.

Acknowledge your weaknesses

I most frequently bit my nails while watching TV in the evening. I would be thinking about the next day, what I was nervous or stressed about and I would just go to town on my nails. I knew I needed something else to help my evening stress so I bought a fidget spinner. I soon realized that I just needed to keep my hands busy and as long as my fingers never touched my mouth, I was able to make it through the evening.

Keep your nails painted

I hated to wear nail colorful nail polish on my fingers because it made my bitten nails look SO OBVIOUS (see old photo of my bitten, painted nails to the right). Instead, I started to put a clear coat of nail polish on them. They looked so shiny and beautiful and I wasn’t nearly as tempted to bite them off as I usually was. I also kept them filed and trimmed because another one of my weaknesses was uneven nails, if my nails felt uneven I would try to even them out by biting them.

Kicking a lifelong bad habit is hard. If you need additional support, ask a family member or friend to remind you of your goal when they catch you biting.

Give these 3 easy steps a try and see if they work out for you. I’m thrilled with the results!

September 19, 2017August 21, 2018

The Best Farmers’ Markets In Denver

There is something so enchanting about going to the farmers’ market on a weekend morning. Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, it’s a blast trying samples and talking with the locals.

Well, time is of the essence, people. You have about a month left to visit the Farmers’ Markets across the Denver Metro area as most are open from early May to late October.

While it’s great to grab fresh, local produce at the Farmers’ Market, I prefer to grab locally made jams, honeys and unique to Colorado products. I save most items and hand them out as thank you, Christmas, or housewarming gifts.

I’ve visited five Denver Farmers’ Markets this summer, here is what I thought about them.

Cherry Creek Fresh Market

East 1st Ave. and University Blvd.

I was thrilled to find out that parking was free at the Cherry Creek Fresh Market! We pulled in the Bed Bath and Beyond parking lot at 2500 E 1st Ave, Denver CO 80206 and found a spot immediately. This market is huge. It took my husband and me a good 45 minutes to visit every booth. I was thrilled to see made in Colorado cleaning products as well as flowers, fresh pastries, organic produce and more. This farmers’ market is a great option for those living or staying in the Cherry Creek area.

WHEN: Saturdays, May 6–Oct. 28, 2017, 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; Wednesdays, June 14–Sept. 27, 2016, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

City Park Esplanade Fresh Market

East Colfax Ave. and Columbine St.

The City Park Esplanade Fresh Market is conveniently located in a semi-circle at 2504 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206. I love that this market has a beautiful fountain and manicured lawn nearby – perfect for lying in the grass and enjoying your homemade treats. The parking was fairly easy. We snagged a spot a few blocks away at 14th Ave. and Elizabeth Street. A vendor was selling fresh squeezed lemonade infused with lavender that we just couldn’t refuse. YUM.

WHEN: Sundays, June 4–Oct. 29, 2017, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Farmers’ Market at Highlands Square

32nd Ave and Lowell Blvd.

Parking was a little trickier at the Farmers’ Market at Highlands Square. This market is located in a cool part of Highlands featuring Highlands Cork and Coffee (awesome patio) and Mead St. Station bar (featured on my What is your Happy Hour type? Take the quiz. blog). The live music at this market was phenomenal, the band had the attention of everyone sitting nearby.

WHEN: Sundays, June 11 – Sept. 24, 2017, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Union Station Farmers’ Market

Denver Union Station Plaza

It doesn’t get much more picturesque than a Farmers’ Market outside of iconic Union Station. This may be my favorite market in Denver because it has a selection of locally made cheese, chocolates and breads as well as fresh produce. While you’re here, make a reservation at Snooze, a restaurant located inside of Union Station that made my Best Brunch in Denver list.

WHEN: Saturdays, June 3–Oct. 28, 2017, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Old South Pearl Street Farmers’ Market

1500 block of old South Pearl St., between Florida Ave. and Iowa Ave.

It was so tricky to find the Old South Pearl Street Farmers’ Market! We put 1500 Florida Ave. in navigation – don’t do that. Just go to the cross streets of Pearl St. and Iowa Ave. Once we arrived, parking was a breeze. We snagged a parallel spot less than a block away. This is probably the biggest farmers’ market we visited in Denver and likely the best selection. They also had a ton of food trucks – save room for lunch!

WHEN: Sundays, May 21–Nov. 19, 2017, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

It should be noted that most farmers’ markets have the same vendors set up at each location. Choose the market that is closest to you. Bonus points if you walk or bike to it. Remember to bring your reusable bags!

Solving your traveling dilemmas,

Emma

September 12, 2017August 24, 2018

5 Things I Wish I Could Tell My Mom

On August 13th, 2017 I lost my best friend. She passed away unexpectedly and I didn’t have a chance to say goodbye. If I could have another day with my mom, this is what I’d tell her:

You are my best friend

We loved to shop together, didn’t we? We would hit up all of the sales and use every coupon in your purse. “We did good today,” you’d say as you threw our bags in the trunk. We’d get home and do a fashion show, making the hallway our runway. We would ask Dad for his opinion, he’d nod and say, “Nice,” for every item. You’d roll your eyes and shrug. We shopped for us, not for our men. When I was having a bad day we’d go to the mall and try on hats. You always said hats weren’t your thing because you had, “sticky-outty ears, just like Grandpa.” I quickly realized you were just letting me wear the cute ones while you put on the goofy ones. You would do anything to cheer me up.

You are beautiful

Inside and out. I was in 1st grade, getting ready for picture day, and I told Dad that I was self-conscious of the gap between my teeth. I was practicing my best closed-mouth smile in the mirror when Dad tickled me and said, “You are your most beautiful self when you laugh.” Mom, when you laughed you lit up the entire room. I did everything I could to make you laugh and smile because that alone made my day.

Thank you

As the youngest child, I must’ve asked you a million times to play barbies or go to the park with me and not once did you say no. When we were at the pool I’d ask you to play Mud Princess and Pretty Pony, a game I had made up. You’d play along, asking me if we should stop and pick up magical crystals on our way to the deep end, as if it were a completed normal errand. You joined me in my imaginary world and didn’t break out of it until I was done playing.

I love you

I’ll always remember that line from the book, Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch that went “I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living, my mommy you’ll be.” Mom, you took care of me, my sisters and about five dozen other children during your lifetime and you loved each one of us immensely. As a youngest child you’d think I’d be jealous of all of these kids snagging your attention but you made each one of us feel as though we were the favorite. I will love you forever, Mom.

I miss you

Yesterday was hard, today is hard and tomorrow will be hard. I will continue to imagine that you are by my side, holding my hand as I walk through life. I see you in the leaves falling from the trees. I hear you in praise hymns. I even smell you in spray butter, because you once sprayed it the wrong way, directly in my face, during dinner. I couldn’t stay mad at you, we laughed until we cried. It seems as though everything reminds me of you but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Each little thing reminds me of how full our relationship was and how we took advantage of every minute of life we had together.

I will never understand why you were taken from me so early, but I feel comfort in knowing that you are in heaven, no longer in pain, dancing, singing and smiling down at me.