Mexico became our family’s spring break ritual when our kids were young, a tradition that now includes grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Time passes, but some habits hold.

We never came for the beach. We came to eat.

More than 20 years ago, we discovered Mazatlán’s culinary depth, and it’s been our annual destination ever since. Days may end on the sand, but they’re defined by what comes after: long, relaxed meals.

Over time, through cooking classes, food tours and friendships, we’ve watched the city’s dining scene evolve from old-guard formal to a modern, chef-driven landscape.

When Totem opened in downtown Colorado Springs late last year, it caught our attention. The second outpost of Mazatlán’s Tótem Cafetería de Barrio raised an obvious question: Could it translate the same sense of place?

We did what we do best: ate our way through both.

In Mazatlán, Totem anchors Centro Histórico. The three-story space moves from café and coffee bar to bakery, ending in an open-air rooftop garden.

The menu mirrors Colorado Springs’, with brunch and a broader lineup of starters, salads, tacos, pastas, burgers and entrées. Neapolitan-style pizzas highlight both menus.

Execution is strikingly consistent. Co-owner and chef David Ferretis has trained both teams to deliver the same flavors and balance. Close your eyes, and you could be in either location.

Differences are subtle, but the results align. For Colorado Springs diners, Totem delivers a remarkably faithful taste of Mazatlán.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. Details: 315 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 719-641-4389, totemmazatlan.com/home-cos.

Next stop: A global tasting journey

Ricardo Morffin, co-owner and executive chef of Latin Social, piqued our curiosity with a Facebook post. He’s introducing a limited-time, omakase-style dinner built around “5 mundos,” or five “worlds.”

At Latin Social, the menu traces the Mediterranean: Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece and Turkey. Now Morffin veers off that map, guiding diners through a multi-course journey spanning Mexico, Japan, Thailand, France and India.

Seats are limited for the experience, set to debut in May. Details: 316 N. Tejon St. #100, 719-900-7962, facebook.com/LatinSocialCO.

Por Favor expands north

The Galvan family has opened a second location of Por Favor Tacos & Tragos, to the north side of town.

The eatery is co-owned by Everardo Galvan Sr. and his sons, Everardo Jr., Yuriam and Edgar. The new space mirrors the original but features a longer bar area.

“We’ll be offering the same menu as our Centennial location,” Galvan said. “Edgar will continue directing the beverage program.”

Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Details: 13395 Voyager Pkwy., 719-495-3602, facebook.com/porfavorcolorado.

The right stuffed crust

Mountain Mike’s Pizza just got ooey-gooey better with Garlic Parmesan stuffed crust, a $2 upgrade on any large pizza. The golden-baked crust is filled with mozzarella, brushed with garlic butter and finished with grated Parmesan.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Details: 123 Spectrum Loop, 719-490-4300, tinyurl.com/4rj36yeh.