A word like authentic is often overused when it comes to many ethnic cuisines, but it is an accurate inclusion for Los Volcanes Authentic Mexican Restaurant, where good food and service are the real things.

The Menu

Besides standards like burritos, tacos and enchiladas, shrimp and other seafood dishes garner a lot of space on the menu.

Critic’s Tip

When shredded beef is among the choices, my opinion of the authenticity is elevated. Shredded chicken doesn’t warrant the same awe, but it’s a good sign when beef is slow-cooked long enough to be torn into tender threads. Ground beef doesn’t offer the same bonus in texture or seasonings, although it is available here.

On the Table

Volcan fries ($14.50) caught our attention. It was an opportunity to sample a mashup of fries and nachos. Crinkle-cut fries (clearly not hand-cut, but easily overlooked) were laden with carne asada, pico de gallo, melted cheese, guacamole and sour cream. The meat was juicy and plentiful. 

Our server confirmed that the chicken mole ($20) was very good and among the most popular items. The large platter arrived with bite-size pieces of chicken in a rich, dark sauce, served with rice, beans and a small salad. A good mole has a depth of flavor that can’t be ascribed to one or two ingredients, and such was the case here. This was a complex sauce that blended sweet and savory with multiple spices and roasted nuts. The menu used the word “exquisite” to describe its mole; it wasn’t hyperbole.

Combination plates are a good way to sample more than one item at a time, so the chimichanga and chile relleno with rice and beans was a good option (Combo #18; $14). We selected carnitas as the meat of choice. This was a baked, rather than fried, chimichanga. The flour tortilla shell was crispy and stuffed with pork cubes. 

The relleno was a large poblano chile filled with cheese and smothered in a red sauce and melted cheddar. The egg batter coating around the chile was thick and soft. It would have been more palatable if there’d been some crunch to the exterior layer.

While the enchiladas a la crema ($14) lacked in color variation, it exceeded taste expectations. As the name implies, the chicken-filled rolled corn tortillas were blanketed in a thick, rich silky sauce. Some caramelization of the sauce enhanced the overall enjoyment of the dish.

The Venue

Los Volcanes is surprisingly large and bright, evocative of a supermarket. That’s not the vibe I look for in a restaurant, especially not in the evening. Decorative, comfortable booths line much of the perimeter with tables filling the dining room’s wide open space. Barstools draped with serapes were the only overt reference to Mexico in the decor, which was otherwise subdued. TVs were located on several walls, but not so many that they detracted from interacting with dining companions or enjoying the food.

Afterthoughts

Our entrees included rice and beans. These typical sides are often afterthoughts, but not here. The beans were earthy, creamy and an appreciated addition to our meals.

Despite off-putting lighting, the meal was well-prepared: an indication of attention to detail in the kitchen. That boast about the mole was well-founded!

Know Before You Go

Los Volcanes Authentic Mexican Restaurant

Mexican cuisine

Location: 4767 N. Carefree Circle

Contact: 719-698-7579; losvolcanes.co 

Prices: $6.95 to $47.95

Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Details: Credit cards accepted. Alcohol. Wi-Fi.

Favorite dishes: Chicken mole, Volcan fries.

Other: Gluten-free and vegan options available.

El Paso County Health Department Inspection: Overall in compliance, with some noncompliant issues (April 2025)