Work Hard. Be Nice. Eat Burritos.
It’s a simple enough mantra to live by, but T.J. Ingraham and Mike “Seth” Sethney, owners of the popular Verde Food Truck, are taking those words to a new level this year.
Their quest to bring authentic Sonoran-style Mexican food to Colorado began in 2011 when the duo hit the streets of Boulder in the bright green Verde Food Truck— delivering their hearty burritos and tasty street food to just about every office park, craft brewery, and festival in the area.
Today, the Verde Food Truck still roams the streets of Boulder, looking for burrito-craving mouths to feed. But at night, when the serving window is shut and the generator is silent, the green machine returns to its home to rest up for the next day— and that home is Verde’s new brick and mortar joint located at 3070 28th Street.
For an eatery placed just off of one of the busiest streets in town, the ambiance inside of restaurant is surprisingly quiet and serene. The noise of the traffic outside dissolves when the door closes behind you. Vibrant hues of yellows, oranges and reds give the restaurant personality, and the beautiful photographs on the wall capture images of towns and people thousands of miles away, and hint at the type of meal you’re in store for.
The smell of spices linger in the air and on the tongue after the first enlightening bite. Soft, handmade tortillas work in pairs to hold in all of the juicy meat and toppings found in Verde’s tacos. The machaca is a must-try, crafted with heat-inspired flavors of Mexico that dance together on your tongue between bites. For $3.50 per taco, the portions are large and at that price, ordering a few tacos means you’ll be able to try a variety of offerings, from the tender meat in the carne asada taco to the classic chicken taco. And don’t miss the intriguing fried cheese taco that’s become a house favorite.
A house marg at Verde rings in at $6.5 ($5 on happy hour) and compliments the subtle heat found in the meat-filled dishes and in the Mexican Street Corn. The kernels on this delicious side dish still hold the charred taste of the grill and are slathered with a mix of spicy chile powder, habanero-infused butter, and soothing Cotija cheese. Both the house marg and the Mexican Street Corn on offered on Verde’s happy hour menu (drinks: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and food from 3 to 6 p.m.) along with pitchers of craft beer that’ll cost you a mere $6.75, discounted wine, cocktails, and food items like Mexican Pizza ($10), Nachos ($8), Quesadilla ($6.5), Queso ($6) and more.
Bottomless chips and salsa are a great way to start your meal at Verde, but don’t pass up on the guacamole addition. Fresh produce and hand-smashed love goes into this appetizer and side dish, and paired with homemade and spiced corn tortilla chips will cure your hangry stomach until your main dish arrives. And if you’re trying to navigate your way through the variety of main dishes— save yourself some time and ask the waitstaff for some tips. Nine times out of ten, they’ll tell you to order the California burrito. Carne asada, potatoes, cheese and guacamole— it’s definitely a house-favorite. And don’t be deterred by the $11 price tag. The burrito is massive. Think of it as spending $11 on two meals, because you won’t need to eat for awhile after consuming this menu item. If tacos or burritos aren’t quite your jam, Verde also offers a selection of salads, fajitas, enchiladas and an array of side dishes that will add just the right amount of zest to your seated meal at Verde.
Verde is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. everyday. Check out Verde’s full menu here.
