Haxtun's El Paso Mexican Restaurant to open soon

For years the red building at the corner of Colorado Avenue and Highway 6 served as a place for customers to enjoy breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner. If walls could talk, they would have stories to tell of farmers and ranchers from the area who sat to drink their morning coffee and enjoy in each other's conversation. It was a place to gather for work meetings, fellowship over coffee and for pre-game meals to talk strategy for many Bulldog sports teams.

The walls of what was once the Barlo Café hold history and meaning. They display livestock brands and a way of life in rural Colorado, especially Haxtun. When new owner Jose Cardenas purchased the building at the intersection along Highway 6, he knew the walls would stay just as they were, full of history and knowledge. Now, as Cardenas prepares to open a new restaurant in the former Barlo Café building, he hopes to continue to be a staple within the Haxtun community. A community he says has been instrumental in helping him to get to opening day.

Cardenas purchased the building at 606 South Colorado Avenue in Haxtun from Brian and Sammi Starkebaum in late 2022. Within days of his new purchase, pipes broke in the building causing running water that ultimately resulted in extensive damage to the kitchen area. While the damage caused more work for Cardenas and his partners than originally expected, it allowed the crew to completely re-do the kitchen area and remodel most of the restaurant. The whole inside of the El Paso Mexican Restaurant is new except for the walls, although they do display a fresh coat of paint. Cardenas and his crew added new lighting above booths, new canned lighting in the ceiling, installed speakers and televisions and constructed a whole new entrance and counter on the east side of the building. All that remains from the original kitchen, Cardenas said, is the stove, hood and fryer.

Cardenas arranged the inside of El Paso Mexican Restaurant with booths along the sides of the north and west walls and tables in the middle, enough for a capacity of 95.

"I like to work," Cardenas said. "I am always busy." Before purchasing the Haxtun restaurant, Cardenas owned a Mexican restaurant in Wray. While he was the owner, Cardenas said someone else managed the day-to-day operations of the business. When he decided to purchase the building in Haxtun, Cardenas sold out from the Wray location and decided to go all in on a restaurant he could own and manage on his own. And he brought with him a friend, Ricardo, who previously cooked at the Wray restaurant. The two of them bring an extensive background in restaurant ownership/management and cooking experience. Ricardo's brother, Rafael, is a long-time cook at a Mexican restaurant in St. Francis, Kan. owned by close family friends. Ricardo will serve as El Paso's head cook and Cardenas, along with friend David, who has also been busy helping with the remodel, will operate the restaurant once open along with help from a few who have experience from the Wray location.

"We really liked it here," Cardenas said of choosing to purchase the restaurant building in Haxtun. "We were looking for something relatively close to Wray and St. Francis and we liked the town and the community. It was a good opportunity for us."

Since purchasing the restaurant, Cardenas said the community as a whole has been generous and helpful. While he has needed assistance from various businesses over the past few months, Cardenas said he has done his best to keep his business in Haxtun and that has allowed him to begin to meet members of the community. Along with support of those who have helped with the remodel, he said the Starkebaums have been a huge support system from the get-go. "From the very beginning they have helped us out a lot," Cardenas said.

The El Paso Mexican Restaurant menu will feature a taste of the border with appetizers, salads, dinner entrées, lunch specials and a kids' menu. Cardenas said to start there will be tea, coffee, soda and juice but once the establishment's liquor license is approved by the State, there will also be a drink menu with margaritas and other alcoholic beverages. The El Paso Mexican Restaurant's liquor license has been approved by the Haxtun Town Council and was sent to the State for final approval several weeks ago.

"We are using the same menu and food selections as the other restaurants," Cardenas said. "People really like it."

Pending a final inspection from the Northeast Colorado Health Department this week, Cardenas said he plans to officially open the El Paso Mexican Restaurant next week. He said if the blinds are open and the open sign is on in the window, he is ready for business.

Once officially open, El Paso Mexican Restaurant will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. To reach the restaurant or to place to-go orders, call (970) 762-4727.

"We are ready to start and to work hard for the community," Cardenas said. "We want to be a part of the community and support it any way we can."