Denver Landmark Don Raúl's Mexican Cuisine to Reopen
The family-owned restaurant is returning to 2538 West 32nd Avenue after reclaiming the space from former operators.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Mexican Food
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Alejandra Hernandez is reviving the former La Mexicana Taqueria as Don Raúl's Mexican Cuisine. The family reclaimed the Denver property on September 21, 2026, following the eviction of a previous tenant.
Why it matters
The reopening marks a return to the original vision established by founders Raúl and Eloisa Hernandez. Alejandra Hernandez is spearheading the effort to honor her father's legacy by restoring the family's historic restaurant business.
The restaurant space is located at 2538 West 32nd Avenue in the Highland neighborhood. The establishment requires eight hours to prepare its signature green chile and will maintain the menu established when the site first opened in 1996.
The players
Alejandra Hernandez
She is the family member leading the revival and reopening of the restaurant at the Highland location.
Raúl Hernandez
He is the founder of the original business who began his career in the restaurant industry in 1984.
Eloisa Hernandez
She co-founded the restaurant with her husband and operated the business for 24 years before retiring in 2020.
The details
The Hernandez family took action to regain control of their building after an investor caused damage to the space during a previous lease. The new iteration will retain the original menu that defined the location for over two decades.
Timeline
Raúl Hernandez opened his first restaurant in 1984.
Raúl and Eloisa Hernandez purchased the building at 2538 West 32nd Avenue in 1995.
La Mexicana Taqueria debuted at the location in 1996.
The founders retired and rented the restaurant space to operators in 2020.
The Hernandez family regained control of the property on September 21, 2026.
Culture Shift
This transition highlights a growing trend of legacy business owners reclaiming properties from third-party operators to preserve family history. It reflects a shift away from outsourced management toward a focus on long-term neighborhood institutional stability.
Residents in the Highland neighborhood can expect the return of original menu items once the restaurant clears its pending city health inspections. The transition ensures the space will operate under the ownership of the founding family rather than outside investors.
The takeaway
Restoring a family-owned business after a period of external management requires significant effort but preserves essential neighborhood character. Local diners benefit when historic eateries return to their roots with original recipes and ownership.
Further reading
Discover more about the local culinary scene on the Denver Mexican Food section of our site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Denver Westword.
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