Since 1990, this AAA Approved restaurant (above) in Pueblo has been welcoming customers with homemade Mexican fare and hospitality that makes them feel like they’re family. Infusing the dining experience with that familiarity isn’t a stretch. Co-owner Dena Dejoy is a second-generation restauranteur; she learned the business from her grandmother and opened Cactus Flower with friend Kim Harding. Now a third generation is involved: Dejoy’s nephew, Hunter, manages the kitchen.

The Dejoys care deeply about the food they make. Although they are of Italian descent, Dena loves Mexican food and has been cooking it for decades. Authentic isn’t just a buzz word here; it’s the foundation of everything the restaurant prepares. Tortillas and green chilis are sourced locally. Almost everything is made from scratch. And the food and drink features change with the seasons and by the month.

Their most popular item is the chicken and cream cheese enchiladas, which are available as a plate on its own, but most people enjoy it as part of a No. 7. Formerly known as the Cactus Combo, the No. 7 assembles the best of the best for people who have a hard time deciding between the chicken and cream cheese enchilada, pork and guacamole burrito and deep-fried chicken tacos.

The other favorite that has people lining out the door is a Pueblo signature: the slopper. A slopper is essentially a burger smothered in green chili. At Cactus Flower, the burger is grilled, then also topped with Jack and Cheddar cheeses and served on a bun.

To enhance your meal even more, look to the margarita menu. It’s an extensive collection of frozen or on-the-rocks options. If you can’t decide, go for the flight, which includes four, 6-ounce options. The selection also varies by season, so you could get frozen strawberry one visit and a sour apple on the rocks the next.

“We try to accommodate our guests by giving them what they want, even if we don’t have something they’ve had before on our current menu,” Hunter says. “We spoil our customers, who then spoil us by coming in three or four times a week. The restaurant is our home. We like our customers to feel that like it’s theirs, too.”

AAA Inspector Notes:

“The restaurant prepares an assortment of traditional Mexican American fare in a colorful Southwestern setting. Menu choices include burrito and chimichanga combos, enchiladas, fajitas, rellenos, specialty tacos, tamales and tostadas. Daily economy specials and vegetarian items also are available. Those seeking the perfect margarita have an extensive array of choices.”