Another longtime Denver-area restaurant, this one in Englewood, is closing.
The beloved Mexican food spot, El Tepehuan, at 3495 S. Broadway, plans to shutter on Dec. 31 as its owner, Graciela Corral, retires, according to an announcement shared by her son, Miguel Corral.
The restaurant, endearingly called El Tep by locals, dates back to 1978 when immigrant Jose David Corral of Sinaloa, Mexico, used his hard-earned money to “achieve his dream to open his own business,” according to the restaurant’s website. He named it El Tepehuan as an homage to his mother’s indigenous tribe.
In 1987, Jose Corral died in a car accident and his wife, Graciela, took over and ran the business for 36 years. She also oversaw its relocation between 2015 and 2017.
Speaking by phone, Graciela Corral said she kept the restaurant open after Jose’s death because she needed work and thought having her own business would be the best opportunity. El Tep weathered several economic downturns, not the least of which was the COVID-19 pandemic, which Corral described as “difficult.” But the local community stepped up with support, ordering to-go food and drinks.
“I will miss the customers and workers. For me, it’s like family,” Corral said. “To the customers, thank you for everything, for support for 45 years. Thank you, thank you for everybody.”
Over the decades, El Tep became known for its highly coveted green chile and other specials. In 2008, The Denver Post lauded the eatery’s signature House Special in a dining review.
“Every item in the combo was, if not astonishingly fantastic, nonetheless a solid throw-down, gimme-more, don’t-talk-to-me-I’m-eating keeper. Fresh, flavorful, spicy and just naughty enough, from the spicy red chile Colorado to the melty-velvety cheese over the beans to the plump, meaty beans themselves,” dining critic Tucker Shaw wrote at the time.
Corral’s retirement plans include spending more time with family, including her kids and grandkids. And while she won’t have a restaurant, she expects to continue sharing her love through food.
“They like (when) abuela cooks for them,” Corral said.
