Keissy Corrales has opened a second location of her metro Denver-based La Patrona Mexican food restaurant at 6840 N. Academy Blvd. in Colorado Springs, formerly El Jalisco Mexican Restaurant.

Corrales has operated La Patrona in Northglenn for five years. Having grown up in Colorado Springs, she sprang for the El Jalisco space when it became available in July. She spent about a month redecorating El Jalisco, which was decorated in traditionally Mexican festive flair, into her pretty-in-pink Hispanic vibe. The result gives off a bright, inviting, “Hey, girl” welcoming with a flower wall of rosy posies at the entry and hot pink neon signs here and there. But guys will feel right at home, too. Especially when they see the man-size portions of food coming from the kitchen.

The menu has the regular roundup of Mexican fare covered, with tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, soups, beans and rice. There’s more than a dozen birria-style offerings, including a pizza version ($45.99), which according to Corrales, “will serve more than two people.”

She shared a photo of the birria pizza, and it does look appetizing. But why almost $50?

“It’s $45.99 because there’s a lot of meat and other ingredients,” Corrales said.

Also of special note is an entire page devoted to breakfast offerings, which are available all day. We opted for the huevos rancheros ($16.99) and the chile rellenos plate with two soft rellenos ($18.99). Both plates were big servings with beans, rice and salad garnish.

The rellenos were particularly outstanding with an egg batter that was slightly crispy and the poblano pepper was not overly stuffed with melty cheese. The red sauce on both dishes was bright red and nicely spiced. We were especially impressed with the quality of the tortillas.

“I get them from Tortilleria Chihuahua in Denver,” Corrales said.

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We lucked out on the rainy Monday we visited to have live entertainment doing a practice run with their equipment. Karina Karaokee, the vocalist, will be a regular entertainer on Wednesdays through Saturdays performing Latin numbers.

As we wrapped up our meal. we looked at the dessert menu. There were no sopapillas, but there was an interesting-sounding chocoflan ($5.99).

The sweet treat is a popular Mexican dessert consisting of a layer of chocolate cake, topped with a creamy flan, and finished with a caramel sauce. The combination of textures and flavors are delicious. Definitely worth giving a try if you have not had it before.

Hours are 11 a.m-9 p.m. Sundays and Mondays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Tuesdays. Details: 719-375-5912, tinyurl.com/8u974595.

Chicken tenders heating up

Driving south on Powers Boulevard, approaching Barnes Road, you can’t help not hearing the Dave’s Hot Chicken building calling out with its giant sign and loudly graffiti-painted murals. And who can resist the temptation not to test their taste buds checking out the range of spice levels offer at the eatery, all the way up to the waiver required for those who dare try the “reaper!”

Coming to us courtesy of Jay Hafemeister, local franchise owner of Dave’s Hot Chicken, is a second location of his quickly growing chicken empire at 5860 Barnes Road. Hafemeister opened the first Dave’s in the fall of 2023 at 1286 InterQuest Parkway.

“We’re on track to open a third location in Fountain in early September,” Hafemeister said.

The chicken is fried and then the heat level is tailored to your choice of what your tastebuds can endure. The levels are no spice, light mild, mild, medium, hot, extra hot and reaper.

“The chicken is freshly cooked as ordered and the spice level seasoning is applied to the chicken by hand,” Hafemeister said.

The tenders are served on a slice of white bread with pickles and Dave’s sauce, and the slider is on a potato bun topped with kale slaw, pickles and Dave’s sauce.

We must give the kale slaw ($3.49). as a side, a shout-out. It’s just the right balance of chopped cabbage tossed with kale and dressed with the chain’s secret sauce to be amazingly delicious.

“It’s made fresh every day,” Hafemeister said. “The kale comes to us washed and chopped. We wash and chop it again before adding the dressing.”

We’ve been known to swing by Dave’s to just pick up a couple sides of kale slaw to have for a snack. Yes, it’s that tasty.

Soft drinks and milkshakes are also on the menu.

Hours are 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 10:30 a.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Visit daveshotchicken.com.

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Weekend of wine

Harvest Fest at The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey kicks off with a wine dinner at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park’s Cafe 1230, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m.

For $150 per guest, you get a progressive gourmet food and wine tour with nine courses at tasting stations where diners can graze around the selections. There is free transportation to the park from Cañon City and back. Call 877-422-9463 or email info@abbeywinery.com for tickets.

The Harvest Festival continues 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 27 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 28 on the winery grounds at 3011 E. U.S. 50. The fest is free to the public with plenty of parking, but wine tasting is $12, which includes a commemorative logo wine glass and five tasting tickets. Additional tasting tickets can be purchased ($8 for five tickets) and bottle service is available. The event features wine, live music, food, chile roasting, freshly harvested produce, and arts and crafts vendors.

Wine connoisseurs can sample limited wine releases of Harvest Fest’s Riesling along with other wines produced at the winery. The tasting room offers more for sale than just wine. You’ll find linens from Provence; pottery from Spain, Tunisia, Portugal and France; and a vast array of food, wine and travel books. No pets allowed (only service animals). Tickets in advance at tinyurl.com/mrszshnt or on site at the entrance. Details: 719-276-5191, abbeywinery.com.