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El Sabor offers delicious Latin American cuisine just steps from the snow

Kim Fuller
EAT magazine
Elotes- grilled sweet corn, tajin spice, lime, cotija cheese and a strawberry margurita.
Dominique Taylor/Dominique Taylo
If you go ... What: el sabor, Slopeside Latin American & American eatery and tequila bar with great views and a sun-facing deck. Where: 660 Lionshead Place | Lionsquare Lodge | Vail Cost: Appetizers, Salads and Tacos: $8-$17; Burgers and Large Plates: $12-$28. Signature dish: El Diablo burger with five pepper relish, bacon, asadero cheese and roja aioli. More information: 970.477.4410 | elsaborvail.com

Editor’s note: This story first ran as a paid feature in EAT magazine.

It’s good to know that you barely need to leave the snow for a delicious and flavorful fiesta in Lionshead. Right at the bottom of the mountain and just steps from the entrance to the Eagle Bahn Gondola is El Sabor, a true Latin American experience where vibrant ingredients and traditional spices offer a fresh cuisine for local and international guests.
With its ideal location and perfect outdoor dining deck, this is a great place for people watching and tequila sipping. And, believe it or not, this Mexican-inspired restaurant has one of the best burgers in town. The El Diablo is two thin beef patties on a really nice toasted bun, served with five-pepper relish, bacon, asadero cheese, roja aioli and a side of fries.

Of course El Sabor has delicious tacos, tamales, enchiladas and Tres Chilis for lunch, après-ski and dinner, and the eatery also has several American-inspired options like an 8-ounce seared beef tenderloin served with vegetables and seared salmon with a spiced agave glaze.

Salads are a highlight on the menu as well, from a tostada salad in a fried tortilla bowl to the Southwest Sabor Salad with mixed greens, black beans, corn salsa and cojita cheese.
“We have enough variety to keep everybody in the group happy,” explains Colby Lefebvre, General Manager.

The Tres Chilis has maintained its status as an entrée favorite, offering “the flavor” from Latin America’s northern, southwest coast and southeast coast regions. Pass the colorful plate of chicken-and-cheese-stuffed poblano with mole sauce, a shrimp-and-rice-stuffed poblano with an avocado salsa and a cheese relleno with salsa roja.
“And you can’t go wrong with margaritas when you make the mix in-house,” adds Lefebvre. “There is no sour mix here — we only use hand-squeezed lime juice and organic agave nectar.”

In addition to lunch and dinner service, El Sabor opens at 7:30 a.m. every morning to serve $6 grab n’ go breakfast burritos. Lunch starts at 11 a.m. and their full menu is served all the way through 9:30 p.m.
Finish your afternoon or evening meal with fried plantains and ice cream—simple, but oh so sweet. And for a dose of flavor every week, follow @elsaborvail on Instagram for specials.


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