The salad options at most Mexican restaurants usually begin and end with one boring standby: the taco salad. Not so at North County, the two-month-old, Baja-inspired eatery in Lowry. Here, there are three to choose from: a wedge, an avocado-guajillo Caesar, and a chile de arbol roasted chicken (pictured). None are bound by oily shells or dollops of sour cream and tired guacamole. Instead, each selection champions a collection of inspired ingredients. The wedge is dressed with green goddess and adorned with grapefruit, pickled onions, jicama, and pistachios. The Caesar is punched up with avocado. But the salad you’ll go back for is the chile de arbol roasted chicken.

If you were to take the Cherry Creek Grill‘s famous macho salad and Baja it up, this is what you’d get. The kitchen tosses fresh greens with goat cheese, candied walnuts, dates, roasted corn, tomato, scallions, cornbread croutons, and shredded chicken marinated in chile de arbol sauce. The $13 price tag might put you off but the serving is huge—and the zesty cilantro-lime vinaigrette ensures you’ll eat every last bite.

94 Rampart Way, 720-532-0106

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—Photo by Rachel Adams

Amanda M. Faison
Amanda M. Faison
Freelance writer Amanda M. Faison spent 20 years at 5280 Magazine, 12 of those as Food Editor.