Molino Chido is here to feed the people. Officially opened on Nov 11, 2025, it’s chef Michael Diaz de Leon’s first restaurant working with Denver restaurateur Tommy Lee (Uncle, Hop Alley), focusing on Mexico City–inspired street food.
It’s a homecoming of sorts for Diaz de Leon. After leading ID Est Hospitality’s Brutø to its first Michelin star in 2023, he left the world of tasting menus and spent a year traveling and doing pop-ups. The urge to settle back down was already there when Lee approached him about taking over the old Comida restaurant space in Stanley Marketplace. Diaz de Leon credits the seasoned operator as the final piece that made launching a new restaurant make sense, and the concept came together fast after the two linked up.
The team wants to be known for doing simple food really well. Fair enough. But with Diaz de Leon, it’s second nature to draw from the best flavors and techniques he’s experienced around the world. So even a menu of tacos, quesadillas, and burritos takes diners on unexpected culinary detours.
You’ve got pavo (turkey) tacos with Yucatecan recado negro and a jammy ajitama-style egg, al pastor meat boosted by tamari, miso-cooked frijoles, and curry-potato flautas with mole masala. Ready to die young? There’s a diabolical option to add a costra cheese crust to any taco on the menu. (Try it with the prime strip loin.)
The restaurant has its own molino and produces 1,000 tortillas daily, a number that just barely covered demand during a jam-packed opening weekend. Made from Ute tribe maíz from Bow & Arrow Brand and nixtamalized in-house, they’re tasty enough to eat on their own and elastic enough to handle heavy fillings without cracking.
In addition to a natty wine list is a cocktail program led by AGM Javier Portillo that’s ready with margs, palomas, and daiquiris that go down too easy. Even if you’re not a coffee fan, try the carajillo made with espresso, Licor 43, and coffee liqueur.
Only in its first week, Molino Chido is primed to be a hit.
The details
Molino Chido
2501 Dallas St Unit 140, Aurora, CO
Closed Mondays. Weekends are especially busy. A new waitlist system is now in place, but be prepared to exercise some patience when trying to get a table during peak hours.
Disclosure: I attended a hosted media event. However, the restaurant has no influence over my coverage, which remains independent.