Carniceria Leonela

Carniceria Leonela is a true hidden gem, offering a delightful combination of a restaurant, meat market, and Mexican grocery store. While I haven't explored the market extensively, the restaurant is outstanding! Their authentic "Caldo de Res" (beef soup) and "Menudo" are must-tries for soup lovers. They also serve a variety of delicious tacos, complemented by authentic, intensely spicy salsas reminiscent of the flavors found in Mexico. The prices are incredibly reasonable, making it an even more attractive option. If you crave genuine, unadulterated Mexican flavors, this is the place to go; you won't be disappointed.

This is by far my favorite store. It has fresh meat all the time, a variety of products from various Latin American countries, bread, tortillas, etc. The chile colorado is the best! And the icing on the cake is that it's a store that shares its blessings with the community through donations to churches and other causes.

Not only do we love their selection of meats but anytime we are there, Leonela and her husband treat us like family! I usually like their marinated meats and they hook it up there! Thank you guys for being local and family owned! Such a great feeling.

I just tried your tamales. I would have to say those are the best ones I’ve tasted here in the springs. It’s full of meat. Very tasty. I will definitely be back for more

This is the best Carniceria in southern colorado. They have a big meat counter and a huge selection of Mexican products. The restaurant is reasonably priced, and the food is good. I'll definitely be back. I would highly recommend Leonelas to anyone. I purchased the products in these pics to make these tamales.

Lots of meats available, although not many that are marinated. Still uses a paper ticketing system for good reason, as they’re busy even on weekdays.

I was in search of ground pork for tourtiere and have been disappointed at the meat selection at the local groceries stores such as Safeway. CL had ground pork for a good price so I got what I needed, along with the beef. Let me tell you, this meat is way above the rest of the meat I've found in the Springs. I had it in my fridge for two days before cooking and it stayed bright pink, unlike other store's meats which turn brown in a day or two. It tastes like meat is supposed to taste as well. I will be doing all of my meat shopping here from now on. My only complaint was there was a little cilantro in the pork and tourtiere absolutely cannot have cilantro, but I was able to pick it out. They put their meat in big bins and top them with cilantro, onion, and lemon, so I see how it got mixed in there. Not a big deal. Still 5 stars from me. I did look around the rest of the store and the pastries looked incredible so I got a few and really enjoyed them. The staff here seems to be bilingual, which helped me a lot. I need to brush up on some Spanish!

Man, this place is crazy, the parking lot I'd always full, and can never find a spot, and you might come out with a ding or two. Then, inside the store is super crowded and you can't get to anything. And then the staff just looks at you instead of helping. It's not my favorite place in the world, but it's the only place I can find good masa.

This place is as close as you're going to get to an authentic "Mexican store" here in Denver. They have unique products, that you may need if let's say, a relative is visiting and you want them to make a special dish, etc. wanna make Sopes? You'll need the special tortillas (sopes) they sell here. This place actually has the largest variety of hispanic chips and tortillas I've seen yet. The only issues is, it can get crowded, and the checkout and line for the butcher can be long, but otherwise, everything I've bought here has been legit, and we look forward to coming by when we are in the area. The other addition is that it's got an attached small restaurant, with a wide selection of good eats we've tried tacos, burritos, carne asada plate, beef soup, all delicious! The aisles are tight and a little tough to maneuver when it's crowded, but nothing deal breaking. Definitely worth a stop if you're looking for that special thing, whatever that may be for you. Best of all? Their prices are (mostly) reasonable, unlike some of the other "Hispanic" stores in town that overcharge.

Legit Mexican store in Colorado Springs. I came on a Saturday afternoon and it was super packed. They have a restaurant section with seating inside, a large meat department, and several grocery isles. The meat section operates off pulling a number for service. There were 5-6 people working the meat section and they were about 20 people ordering and waiting to select their meat. I spent about 45 minutes browsing around the store and left with several good items! Go to spot for Mexican food, spices, and dishes.

Worst place I've ever been to. Don't ever come here They're really rude and they won't service you like they're supposed to. Won't ever recommend this to anyone. The amount of rudeness is crazy. Ya won't last a day in Texas No bueno amigos. No vengan aqui. Y si vienen son iguales que Yahritza. MLP los carniceros.

The sweet bread containers are full of flies roaming around not sure how fresh the bread is.

Bad service, butchers were rude and had attitude. Servicio muy malo, no saben como trabajar los carniceros.

I usually get my masa 'dough' for my tamales here and have been satisfied. This last time the masa was hard, flavorless, and didn't cook well. They have lost a faithful customer.

I've been here a few times with my husband and the food has been either really good or mediocre, but this morning I went to get my son a sausage and potato breakfast burrito before school and I hear him in the back say "mom I don't think I could eat this..". And then passes it to me, and I'm horrified to see raw ground beef in the burrito. Needless to say, that is so very messed up.

Today we were on the search for what we from Texas call barbacoa tacos and I saw on the menu they had it! But if your from TX their barbacoa is not what we consider the yumminess that is barbacoa. It was more like just shredded beef is some sauce. It wasn't bad but it wasn't what we were looking for. We also tried a few other things and it wasn't bad but definitely not great. It does certainly hit the spot when your hungry of course. They young lady at the register was super nice and helpful. I may not think it's the best but it's not a place I'd say I'd never go back too.

I have been searching and searching Colorado Springs for things I need when it comes to cooking. And this place is it! Literally everything I could ever ask for in one place. Reminds me of la Vallarta back home in cali. Only thing missing is the fresh agua frescas. Best hole in the wall grocery in cos.

It's been a challenge finding legit Mexican since coming to the Springs. So glad we found this place. The market is great for getting your Asada, Chorizo and other meats that you can't get in other stores. Get your cheeses and pastries too as well as all other necessities for cooking your fav Mexican dishes. We stopped in the restaurant to grab tacos and they were very satisfying! Best Mexican we have had since coming to the Springs. Everyone we have encountered here has been very nice and helpful especially since we don't speak Spanish and some employees speak only Spanish.

The food is AMAZING!! I will be back as the good Lord guided me right here. I wish I could fit more in my belly as I would order more!! I cant wait to eat here again and God Bless you all as your service was awesome!

They don't seem to be practicing or enforcing any sort of social distancing. The lines were pretty long and people were clustered in every aisle, since they didn't do any controlled entry. This place was CROWDED, and since I only needed a tortilla press, and couldn't find it anywhere else, I grabbed it and stood in line for 15 mins while simultaneously praying I didn't get rona. Masks were worn by the staff but I won't be visiting here again anytime soon.

My favorite carniceria in the springs by far. This place has all the Mexican goodies and more. Here you can find some of the best Mexican meats around like Al Pastor, Discida, Carne Asada, Fajitas, Chorizo, Lengua, Steaks, Chicarones, fresh crema, salsas, tortillas, and all the other hard to find Mexican ingredients you might need. But besides the grocery store and meat market, this place also has a restaurant inside that has some of the best food and also by far some of the best Menudo in town. Definitely a must-try!

Exploring cooking interests with Mexican flare? Entertaining friends for taco Tuesday? Want to experience a broad range of flavor and textures? This place has everything you need. Don't go in hungry! Was my first time in a true Mexican market. With nothing to compare it to, I'd say it's the best one I've ever been in! Will definitely be back.

Best authentic Mexican food! The tamales are so good, no wonder the bin is near empty if I go there in mid afternoon. The quality of meat sold at the butcher shop is probably the best ever and they are super friendly. Every time I go in there, it takes me back to my grandma's store in Juárez MX.

We have been in this store several times with Bro J, when visiting in Colorado Springs. I wish we had such a place close by in St Louis. Normally we are shopping for groceries, but this time we had a quick lunch. Leonela has a great little taqueria attached. The other three had good looking tacos of various meats like lengua, cabeza, etc. I really wanted to have a torta de chorizo and it was excellent. It was large and I shared it with Bro J. It was moist and flavorful, served on a soft telera roll with shredded lettuce and avocado slices. This is worth going for and is no doubt good with any selection of your favorite meat filling.

I knew I'd miss Mexican food in San Diego and Baja California, Mexico when I moved to Colorado Springs so I was happy when my daughter introduced me to Carnicería Leonela. Both its market and restaurant are authentic. I'm addicted to ceviche. Seriously. I used to eat ceviche four or five times a week. Each time I've come to the restaurant side of Carnicería Leonela, they've been out of ceviche, but the tacos have been a satisfying substitute. The salsa bar is good--just wish there were more spicy carrots. My daughter said the chilaquiles are pretty good so I'm looking forward to trying those for breakfast/brunch. I've gotten the fresh ceviche in the market, and it was quite good. They run out of it, too, so I need to get there earlier in the day.

Seriously who pays 15.00 lbs for flank steak you can go to Costco and get it cheaper,this place is ripping people off knowing that some people won't go else where also the pastries not fresh ,deli section is hideous I cannot understand why this place isn't bigger one way isle when you shop although they do supply you with every thing you need to make tamales at one stop just the meat I would go else where..

Hard to find authentic Mexican food, but this place is amazing. The staff is very friendly and their salsa bar is on point as well. The food came out fairly quickly, and it's definitely filling. Their orchata is just ok, I recommend the agua de Jamaica. You probably won't find any better authentic Mexican food in the springs area.

Bought marinated carne asada for tailgating and it turned out great. They have really good prices and an awesome meat section.

I haven't tried the restaurant but this is my go to place for Mexican ingredients. It's always pretty crowded which I take as a good sign. From vegetables, spices, tortillas, and pan dulce they've got it all and it's priced much better than a traditional grocery. The meat counter has pre-marinated meat by the pound and it's all delicious. You've got to be there early for the pastries or they are gone. They frequently have cajeta at the checkout in cones and they are amazing. It's rich and creamy but you can't have more than a little at a time because it's so heavy. The cashiers are friendly and quick. The only struggle will be if you don't know rudimentary Spanish you might need some help. The staff is good at interpreting pointing and I've had other customers interpret when I was asking for something and pronounced it wrong. Overall my favorite grocery in town.

This is one of the better Mercado's in the area, offers more variety and feels like a grocery store.

Fabulous tacos!! Can't wait to try everything else!! Very affordable!! Haven't found any good Mexican food in the Springs until now!!

I love this carnicería! From their Mexican pastries to the little restaurant inside, Leonela's always delivers. I can always find the random Mexican items I can't find at Safeway or King Soopers. My favorite are all the spices they carry. Good prices! Highly recommend.

Best Pastor tacos in town. Soft corn tortillas, cilantro and onions. The red sauce they give you has a nice kick to it. Followed up with a Mexican Coke and it's perfect.

This is a great place to get some authentic Mexican dishes. I went through the drive thru and got two burritos (barbacoa and tongue). They were both delicious! They take pride in what they make and you can really taste it in the food. The burritos are perfectly made. They are just the right size, have every ingredient well spread out, and do not get soggy at all. I would definitely come back and try different dishes!

I love this place! I'm originally from Arizona, so I was trying to find a great Carniceria, regardless. What originally brought me to this place was in a search for a quality pinata for my son's 1st birthday. I used to buy them at a Mercado in Phoenix. I have a lot of cousins, so the overpriced, one swift-beating pinata at Walmart was not going to cut it! During my first visit, in search for Nemo (seriously), I bought a tamale and a bag of pan dulces! Amazing! Reminded me of being home again! Plus, the service was great and almost everyone is bilingual, so I got brush up a little on my Spanish. I have yet to try out the chorizo, but from what I hear, that's a must try!

I love this place! The carniceria area is top notch & super efficient. There are always at least 5 guys working that meat counter. The prices are fair & everything is always fresh. The market has every Mexican & Guatemalan grocery item I've ever needed. The pan dulce is tasty but pricier than what I was used to in California (59¢ per piece!). The ready made tamales are delicious and worth the $6.49 per half dozen. Every cashier has been very sweet to me & the restaurant saved me when I needed beans & rice for an impromptu party of 20 people. They lose a star for the always cramped and awkward aisles... Someone needs to redesign that whole market area. Also parking is pretty terrible. Regardless,I still make the 10 mile drive from the northeast side of town at least once a week because it's worth it. Edit: I gave them the full 5 stars because even though it's cramped, nothing compares to this place. Great customer service & everything I need, always.

Holy cow the line in this place during holidays is insane! It's a mad house! I went Christmas Eve, to be able to buy some Hispanic Foods that can't be found around the area, and the line to pay was painful. They do sell all kinds of meats, and options for Hispanic food are pretty decent. I found guava paste, and the plantain leaves to make tamales. As well as boniato, which I had not seen in a very long time.

Great little find. Authentic Mexican food. All sorts of meat options, not just your basic chicken, beef, and pork. (Lengua, tripas, al pastor, barbacoa, etc)

It is a meat shop/grocery store/bakery/taqueria. The vegetables are cheap and very fresh. I think both cheaper and fresher than Rancho Liborio. I got mint, limes, cilantro, onions, jalapeno peppers. All were fresh and cheap. I have not tried the butchered meat, most of the cuts are thin. Maybe you can ask them for thicker slices. They also have whole fish here. I did pick up a couple peaces of pan: one apple turnover and one coconut topped roll. I tried the apple and it was fine. I tried a pastor torta at the kitchen area, and it was decent as well. The avocados were fresh, the bread crispy, and the pork was decent but maybe a little bland and dry. Not the best pastor, but serviceable. Definitely a big fan of the groceries. Would like to go back and try some more stuff.

This meat market and grocery has the most delicious restaurant attached to it! It was recommended by a fellow Californian (maybe we just like a certain style of taco?) who found it after living here over 3 years. Seriously - THE BEST TACO I've had in Colorado!! We've tried almost all the types they have - and all were delicious! The prices are perfect if you're on a budget, but I'd happily pay much more. I was embarrassed of the Mexican food places in Colorado Springs before (especially that "pink place"), but now I have the perfect spot to take people who want authentic basics. It's a hole in the wall type place, nothing fancy - but so perfect!

Authentic Mexican food! There is a restaurant attached. I had the shredded chicken tacos, was not disappointed. They're salsa bar is on point!

Well, I've been here and a few other places around the Springs and I think I can safely say that this is some of the best and most authentic Mexican food you can find. The tacos here simply cannot be beat. I'm not saying this as a fan of Mexican food in general, I'm saying this as someone who has spent most of his life and formative years living less than 15 minutes away from the Mexican border in South Texas. They don't serve alcohol, for that you'd be better going to Monica's Taco Shop a few blocks west, but for lunch it's simply amazing here. Go for the pastor. I myself love the tripas (pig intestine) but I always order mine extra crispy. Carnitas are also worth of writing home about (which I actually did, to tell my mother). Don't worry if you don't speak spanish, just about everyone in there speaks english or will grab someone for you that does. The staff is extraordinarily helpful and the meat, especially the pre-seasoned cuts, is fantastic and cheap. The mexican sweet bread is fresh and tasty, baked in-house and changes slightly day to day. Seriously, just go get the tacos already, they're a dollar fifty a pop.

SO COOL I REALLY live tips carneceria. So great cheap 2 $, and clise. 41/2 stars! I'm really impressed 5 Stars here. Keith

I was so excited to try this place. We ordered several different tacos and two different enchilada plates. Everything was very affordable, the restaurant seems clean and our food came out fast. My biggest complaint was how uncomfortable I felt. I have never felt more like I didn't belong somewhere, than I did here. I felt like I was completely unwanted and that made me want to eat my food as fast as I could and run out. My waitress stood behind me when I placed my order and wouldn't look me in the face. I will sadly never be back. Luna's Market had better tacos and my beloved fruit bar plus the ladies there are always so kind.

I love this place I wish I lived closer very reasonable also I have the ceviche tostada it was made to perfection

Authentic, delicious, quick. I really like going here for lunch. I am always full and satisfied when I leave here. Not much to say but great food, friendly staff.

This is IT, people, the best street taco in Colorado Springs! There is a little taquaria sitting in the corner of this place that sells little tacos for $1.50 each. I got three carne asada tacos with rice/beans and it came to about $7. Let me tell you, the meat on these tacos was better than any tacos I have EVER had. I am so glad I gave them a chance. Also, I got meat from their butcher counter and they were super nice. The pan dulce are good too.

Hidden inside a Hispanic grocery store. Incredible food. Hunt this place down and be amazed.

One of my go to places for this style of Mexican food. Especially love their Menudo and their bakery!

I love shopping in a place I can barely communicate, and the carniceria is just that! But who cares? You need some meat for carne asada? Some fresh fruits and veggies. Like hot obscure hot sauces? They got you covered. Crazy candy selection too!

Leonela has a lot to offer, and although their dried peppers are spread out and the organization of the canned/bottled goods might need some work, the carniceria part of the business (not to mention the produce) is where Leonela shines. Their meat is a few cuts above the competition and the bilingual staff are very friendly and accommodating. I've been here a few times to buy hard-to-find products and will certainly be back.

Excellent eatery within the supermarket. I especially love the flautas de pollo. My girl is a big fan of Chilaquiles. Even when it gets busy your food is ready in under 10 minutes. Horchata isn't bad at all not to mention Tamarindo when available. Well worth the visit. Authentic Mexican food

This place can be dodgy and crooked at times, and it's a shame that the Latino community clients are just expected to put up with this. For example.... on my visit a couple of days back, 5 items got rung up as 6, with one item being charged 2 separate times with 2 separate prices on the receipt! Worse yet, one other item was rung up as $1.39 apiece (mangos) when the store sign price was 39 cents, keeping in line with competitor Sprouts Grocery price of 2 mangos for a dollar. Net effort to overcharge me was $6 difference on this item alone, caught only when I was outside the store requiring me to return and dispute the charge and not being able to purchase the fruit as desired. I would like to say that this has only occurred this once, but unfortunately this is not the case, and I rarely go to this store at all, despite Liborios going out of business in the city. BEWARE here!

This place is just awesome, I finally found a place that has awesome carne ranchera like in California. Not only is their meat great but they have so many items that I can't find at my local grocery store, even though they're a bit pricey it's definitely worth it. They also sell fresh Mexican bread and their restaurant has amazing food, I recommend the tacos de lengua, definitely the best ones I've had here in Colorado.

This place is AHmazing! The best carniceria meat market hands down! Everything is so fresh and lasts forever in the fridge whereas meat that is bought elsewhere goes bad within a couple days. The chorizo is awesome! The pastor diced meat is great for tacos, their pork is delicious and their carnitas are to die for. The restaurant next door makes the best chicken tamales. I always have to get there early to pick up since they tend to sell out on a daily basis. They have everything you can ask for. Even whole hogs for outdoor BBQ pits!

Went thru drive thru. Prices were wrong on the board. Tacos were soggy and fell apart. Had to eat everything seperate. Coke bottle i had to pry off it didnt twist off. First time there not sure if i will go back or not.