CENTRAL CITY - The mountain town of Central City just became a lot more kid-friendly with the opening of Monte Lobo Tacos y Tequila on June 14.

Located in the old Doc Holliday building at 131 Main Street, Monte Lobo (Wolf Mountain) has a large dedicated game room providing entertainment for minors and a non-gambling alternative for those 21 or older.

Monte Lobo specializes in arcade games; Skee Ball, Super Chexx Bubble Hockey, Big Buck Hunter, Street Fighter, Super Bikes 3, and Cruis’n Blast are just a few of them. For a quarter, you could try the Claw Machine. If you were adroit enough, you might latch onto a stuffed animal.

Jill Hansen and her daughter Kelly and granddaughter Paige were visiting from Omaha. Kelly and Paige engaged in a closely-contested game of Pac-Man.

The interior of the building is a massive 42,000 square feet, making it the largest historic building in Central City. The space affords plenty of elbow room, unlike the sometimes-crowded feel of casinos. The pressed tin ceilings, woodwork, wallpaper, and big windows overlooking the cobblestone street give a late 19th-century ambiance.

Having worked in the area for over 20 years, chef Herminio Rodriguez’s much-sought-after services have often gone to the highest bidder. He signed on with Monte Lobo this year, bringing savory goodness to the food.

People are already lining up to sample his culinary masterpieces. Elotes are a sweet mixture of corn, butter, mayonnaise, and spices served in a cup or bowl.

Laced with homemade salsa and garnished in cilantro, Rodriguez’s “street tacos” are out of this world. Several delicious varieties are offered: steak, chicken, pork, and chorizo sausage, with more to come.

The Al Pastor taco contains marinated pork and pineapple. Jarritos (sodas) or a Mexican Coke made with pure cane sugar complement the dining experience. To top off your meal, an ice cream cone is a tasty dessert.

The expansive bar stretches from east to west in one of the rooms. Bartender Kevin Quiroz makes the “best margaritas in the state” according to owner and manager Austin Boulter. A patron riding the rail concurred.

A different infused tequila is featured each day, with flavors including cucumber/jalapeno and pineapple/orange. For beer drinkers, there are eight chelada concoctions to choose from.

Large-screen TVs are strategically placed throughout the ground floor to ensure you don’t miss any of the sports action.

A grand staircase leads to a showroom, stage, and dance floor upstairs. Monte Lobo held its first concert and dance there on Madam Lou Bunch Day, which Chief Tequila Officer Steve Boulter described as “wild.”

The showroom with full bar and private party rooms are available to rent for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, or other special events. For reservations, contact Austin Boulter at 303-582-5908.

Monte Lobo’s hours are from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday they open their doors at 11 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. Management vows to remain open beyond its regular hours on all seven days until the last customer leaves.