Colorado’s Best Spicy Food

Enjoy the state’s penchant for hot flavors with locally made sauces, salsas, cocktails and so much more.

Meals

My Brother’s Bar, Denver

The oldest bar in Denver has shucked ice-cold beers continuously since 1873. But one of the city’s best-kept spicy secrets is their Jalapeño Cream Cheese Burger, piled (almost) mile high with jalapeño cream cheese. 

Jim’s Wings, Fort Collins

This hole-in-the-wall joint dishes up some of the spiciest wings in the state, doused in their secret sauce, of course. 

Annapurna, Vail

With views of snow-covered trees, Annapurna will make you sweat through your ski jumper while eating the spicy vindaloo, an Indian curry best served with lamb. Order fluffy naan to soak up every last bit.

Gray’s Coors Tavern, Pueblo

Bask in the glow of neon bar signs as you sink your teeth into the famed local delicacy — the Slopper cheeseburger bathed in Pueblo green chile.

Sports Station American Grill, Loveland

Located in Loveland’s 1902 train depot, Sports Station boasts Jalapeño Popper Egg Rolls — mini bites filled to the brim with jalapeño-bacon cream cheese, served with make-your-mouth-tingle pepper jelly.

Hacienda Real, Frisco

Sit under the pumpkin-colored arches drinking a humongous frozen margarita and destroy Hacienda Real’s carne asada. It’s a filet of skirt steak with a heap of guac and a deep-fried hot pepper. 

Siam, Telluride

Step inside this adorable yellow house for the drunken noodles — pan-fried rice noodles with eggs, vegetables and a spicy chili sauce that will leave you needing approximately 10 glasses of water.

Adult Beverages

High Hops Brewery, Windsor

A red ale brewed with habanero peppers, Habanero Hunny from High Hops might be just what you need on a chilly afternoon. 

Breckenridge Distillery Restaurant

This cavernous tasting room and eatery is the perfect stop after you’ve skied the day away. Warm up with the Chili Chile margarita, which includes the distillery’s Chili Chile Vodka and spicy sriracha.

Horsetooth Hot Sauce, Fort Collins

Nothing says frosty Sunday brunch like Dog that Bit You Bloody Mary Mix. Pour the mixture of salty tomato juice and a blend of secret spices over ice. You can buy it online and in select Colorado stores! 

The Wobbly Olive, Colorado Springs

The Weepy Grin cocktail is a heat-filled delight, with vodka, ginger liqueur, honey, absinthe, lemon juice a habanero shrub and — for a little extra kick — a fresh jalapeño. 

Bird & Jim, Estes Park

Sporting a cool-kid vibe, Bird & Jim slings the Coco Caliente cocktail for a year-round clientele. The beverage is hot chocolate, ghost-pepper-infused mezcal finished with a pillow of whipped cream and served with crispy churros.

Snacks 

El Moro Spirits & Tavern, Durango

El Moro is a beacon of New American bites with a totally steampunk attitude. Pop in for the Tajín-dusted pork rinds; they’ll make an audible crunch, which is oh-so satisfying. 

Overkill Hot Sauce, Conifer

Overkill’s ghost-pepper condiments and sauces— think mayo, marinara, ranch, soy sauce and horseradish — will take any meal to the next level.

Climax Jerky, Denver & Breckenridge

When you need a bit of protein on a glacial hike, reach for this spicy elk jerky smoked with red pepper, which gives it the ideal amount of kick. 

Backstreet Bagel Company, Montrose

Start your morning right with a thick layer of jalapeño cream cheese sandwiched between a green-chili bagel at this casual locals’ spot.

The Argentos Empanadas & More, Silverthorne

While not over-the-top hot, the Spanish chorizo empanada at Argentos is the perfect balance of spices and buttery, flaky pastry to make it incredibly flavorful.

Hot Sauces & Salsas

Find these Colorado brands in grocery stores, specialty shops and online. 

Tlaquesalsa, Westminster

Tlaquesalsa’s árbol salsa uses the freshest ingredients to set your mouth on fire (in the good way). Pick up a jar and some of the company’s homemade tamales for a delightful meal. 

Alida’s Fruits, Palisade

Using Colorado-grown fixins, Alida’s Fruits Habanero Peach Salsa will make you want to dump the whole jar on your breakfast tacos. 

K-Sauce, Centennial

K-3 Be Afraid!! Hot Sauce is studded with Bhut Jolokia, aka ghost chili, one of the hottest peppers in the world.

Yin Yang Hot Sauce, Boulder

Small-batch hot-sauce maker Yin Yang captures the feeling of tomatoes being grown under Colorado’s bright sunlight in a bottle. 

Chiporro Sauce Co., Longmont

With ghost peppers as the base of their Ghost Hot Sauce, the heat will haunt you — but it won’t make you want to guzzle an entire gallon of water.

Musso Farms, Pueblo

This all-natural, no-preservatives Pueblo Chile X-Tra Hot Salsa is straight from the farm. Eat it with some fresh blue-corn chips while watching the snow fall. 

Decadence Gourmet, Grand Junction

Colorado-Style Southern Chow Chow is based on a traditional relish that’s been around for two centuries, but with a Centennial State twist — tomatillos and ghost peppers. 

High Plains Spice Company, Sterling

With nearly twice the spice of a ghost pepper, High Plains’ Scorpion Pepper & Lemon Balsamic BBQ Sauce will add incredible heat to your shrimp.

Rose’s Creamery, Elizabeth

Rose’s Hot and Spicy creamy peanut butter is gastronomic genius when put atop a PB&J sammy. 

Jojo’s Sriracha, Denver & Pueblo

Handcrafted, wild-fermented sriracha with chili peppers, organic vinegar, garlic, sea salt and coconut palm sugar can go on any meal.

Photo Credits: Breckenridge Distillery, El Moro Spirits & Tavern, My Brother's Bar, Zach Bunch 

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