Think you’ve seen all the dining options Aspen, Colo., has to offer? If you like bold flavors and authentic Mexican cuisine, don’t miss Zocalito Bistro’s Latin Cuisine and Rum Bar. Chef-owner Michael Beary highlights the distinctive chile varieties of Oaxaca — such as chilcosle, negro chilhuacle and taviche — to create dishes that showcase traditional ingredients with contemporary technique. 
Beary says, “At Zocalito we’ve pushed the envelope farther than perhaps any other restaurant in America in terms of featuring the unique and rare chiles and other ingredients of Oaxaca.”
Having spent considerable time in southern Mexico, Beary partners with local Oaxacan farmers and food artisans to source the freshest produce, chiles and specialty items. That commitment to authenticity extends beyond the kitchen: Zocalito’s online marketplace offers chile enthusiasts the chance to buy rare peppers, regional salts, spices and even roasted grasshoppers to bring genuine Oaxacan flavors into their home kitchens.
Signature dishes at Zocalito highlight the depth and variety of traditional Mexican preparations. Start with Aztec soup, a comforting bowl of chicken and tomato broth accented by avocado, panela cheese, corn truffles and crisp chips, brightened by chicostle chile. For a heartier entrée, try the Oaxacan chicken breast wrapped in banana leaf with chorizo, cheese, tomatoes, potatoes, onion, corn and a spicy yellow chilhaucle salsa. Vegetable lovers will appreciate the Pasilla de Oaxaca rellenos — roasted pasilla chiles stuffed with black beans, vegetables and cheese, served in a rich red mole sauce.
Located at 420 East Hyman Ave., Zocalito is open seven days a week, serving dinner from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 or 10:30 p.m., depending on the night. Whether you’re a local or visiting Aspen, Zocalito offers a memorable, chile-forward dining experience that brings the tastes of Oaxaca to the Colorado mountains.