El Mesón adds weekend brunch

Highlands Ranch Mexican restaurant makes changes

BY RACHEL LORENZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Weekend brunch is the latest change to come to El Mesón Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Highlands Ranch since it came under new management last winter.

“I think it’s gonna be a good surprise for people who come for breakfast,” Inti Salgado told Colorado Community Media. “So they can taste these avors.” e previous owner, Amelia Lopez, is Salgado’s relative by marriage. Lopez’s retirement gave Hernandez the opportunity to move to the area from Mexico and acquire El Mesón in February 2022, Salgado said. e new owners refreshed the eatery by removing the carpet and clearing away some furniture from the vestibule and decor from the walls. Previously painted a variety of bold colors, El Mesón’s interior is now a more serene gray. A cleaner, simpler aesthetic was what they were after, Montiel, Hernandez and Salgado all agreed.

Established nearly two decades ago near Redstone Park, El Mesón is now co-owned by Teresa Hernandez of Highlands Ranch and Bertha Montiel of Denver. Salgado is Hernandez’s husband and part of the restaurant’s leadership team.

Montiel, who’s worked on and o in the restaurant industry for 18 years, was an acquaintance of Hernandez’s before joining the business in June. “We have a great team. I know about restaurants. He knows technology. She knows accounting,” Montiel said of Salgado and Hernandez.

In February of this year, El Mesón debuted its breakfast menu featuring Mexican favorites like huevos rancheros and chilaquiles as well as brunch staples like three-egg omelets and French toast. Because it’s o ered until 3 p.m., even late sleep-

If You Go

El Mesón Authentic Mexican Cuisine is at 3506 W. Town Center Drive in Highlands Ranch. It’s open Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Enchiladas montadas, or enchiladas with eggs on top, is part of El Mesón’s new breakfast menu.

ers can enjoy it, Montiel said. Montiel has fond memories of Sunday breakfast out with family and likes the idea of providing that in the community. “I’ve always wanted to do bottomless mimosas and bloody marys,” she said, so El Mesón o ers a handful of boozy brunch beverages in addition to coffee, tea and juice.

Taco Tuesday, a new-to-El Mesón tradition, is another weekly event that Hernandez and Montiel added