Two new Mexican spots emerge in Aurora

I was in hot pursuit of a tow truck yesterday, which is neither here nor there, except that my chase landed me in Aurora, and whenever I’m in Aurora, I’m in taco country, and whenever I’m in taco country, I’m happier than a lizard lapping up flies.

Today was no exception. In fact, it went better than usual, because I unearthed not one, but two new Mexican joints that I can’t wait to try. The first is Durango’s Mexican Restaurant, located at 8135 East Colfax Avenue in the former Antes Aguascalientes space. Not only can I order parrilla de mariscos here, but I can knock it back with two-for-one cervezas every Tuesday and Thursday between 4 and 8 p.m.

It was the bright-colored mural that lured me into the parking lot of La California, a two-week-old taqueria and panaderia at 1685 Peoria Street that’s turning out asada and adobada tacos, gorditas and tostadas de ceviche and carnitas de puerco and pozole from a boxy, bare-bones joint with a small open kitchen bossed by one woman whose smile is wider than the Gulf of Mexico.

Damn, I love Aurora.