José “Pepe” Garayoa has been driving his food truck around the Denver area for seven years. Given that it’s a larger truck and an older model, he said navigating traffic was challenging.
Now, though, he’s found the perfect permanent spot for the Ricas Tortas Calientes truck along South Golden Road.
“I’m very happy to be here in Golden,” he said. “What a great opportunity.”
The spot near Native Nursery, which is accessible via 17025 South Golden Road, may be familiar to locals as the former home of Bonfire Burritos and/or La Huacha.
Garayoa said his friend who runs La Huacha recently opened a brick-and-mortar location a few blocks away, leaving the food truck spot open. So, Garayoa moved Ricas Tortas Calientes there in December.
He said the spot is ideal, because “Golden knows someone is selling food here.”
Garayoa has been in the food industry for 30 years, working in both restaurants and his own food trucks.
He’s now bringing that experience and his own unique twist to the Ricas Tortas Calientes menu, which features tortas, burgers, tacos, quesadillas and specialty items.
While the winter has been slow, Garayoa expected things to pick up with the warmer weather. He’s preparing to expand his hours and start serving premade breakfast burritos in the summer.
Garayoa emphasized how Ricas Tortas Calientes is a family business. His wife and three daughters have helped him with various aspects of the business over the years.
Running his own business has always been his dream, Garayoa continued, saying, “You have to put yourself to work (to achieve your dream), and it’s easier when you have your family behind you.”
Ricas Tortas Calientes is currently open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call 303-881-8376 or visit pepestortasandburgers.org.
Click through additional photos of Ricas Tortas Calientes:
José “Pepe” Garayoa wraps up a Cancún torta, which features chicken Milanese, ham and cheese, inside his Golden-area food truck on March 11. The Ricas Tortas Calientes menu includes several kinds of tortas, tacos and specialty items. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
As seen on March 11, the Golden-area Ricas Tortas Calientes food truck offers fiesta fries. The food truck, which is accessible via 17025 South Golden Road, also features tortas, burgers, tacos, quesadillas and specialty items. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
As seen on March 11, the Golden-area Ricas Tortas Calientes food truck offers tortas, tacos, burgers, quesadillas and specialty items. Owner José “Pepe” Garayoa recently opened the truck at a permanent spot at 17025 South Golden Road. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On March 11, José “Pepe” Garayoa looks through the window of his Ricas Tortas Calientes food truck. Garayoa used it drive it around the Denver area but recently opened it at a permanent spot at 17025 South Golden Road. Credit: Corinne Westeman
Mobile sauna brings warmth, relaxation to local businesses and events
When she lived in Chicago, Rachel Swanson used to swim in the frigid waters of Lake Michigan, and the best way to warm up afterward was her friend’s mobile sauna.
While mobile saunas are more common in Nordic countries and the United States’ Upper Midwest, Swanson thought Colorado would benefit from the idea too. So, when she moved to the Denver area last year, she launched the Nomadic Fire Mobile Sauna.
What looks like a simple trailer on the outside is a warm, welcoming haven on the inside that can easily reach 190 degrees. Swanson and her family summarized the concept as: “Heat on wheels, relaxation that heals.”
Swanson has been taking the mobile sauna to community events and local businesses, including Golden’s Mountain Toad Brewing and Arvada’s Colorado Tap House.
People can book a 30-minute session in the sauna, which sits six people comfortably. Swanson also offers a cold plunge outside, so people can alternate.
Along with community events, Nomadic Fire is also available for private events, such as holiday parties or team-building events, or private rentals at people’s homes.
Swanson, who’s been a therapist for 15 years, emphasized the physical, mental and social benefits of saunas. She encouraged people to listen to their bodies and hydrate beforehand, saying, “It’s a place of gathering, not a competition.”
While saunas are great for athletic recovery, Swanson hoped everyone would try Nomadic Fire. People can bring their friends, play music and have fun while visiting a local brewery, she described.
A regular 30-minute session is $25 per person, but multi-packs and group rates are available.
Nomadic Fire is at Colorado Tap House every other Thursday evening, starting April 3, and at Mountain Toad every other Tuesday evening, starting April 8.
For more information, including pricing, schedule and private booking availability, visit nomadicfiremobilesauna.com.
Click through additional photos of Nomadic Fire Mobile Sauna:
On March 11, owner Rachel Swanson showcases the outside of the Nomadic Fire Mobile Sauna. Swanson has been taking the mobile sauna to community events and local businesses, including Golden’s Mountain Toad Brewing and Arvada’s Colorado Tap House. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Craig Desmet sports a Nomadic Fire Mobile Sauna sweatshirt as he sits with Rachel Swanson, his wife and the sauna’s owner, while the sauna is parked at Golden’s Mountain Toad Brewing on March 11. Swanson launched the mobile sauna last year, and has been taking it to a mix of community events and private bookings. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
The Nomadic Fire Mobile Sauna is parked outside Golden’s Mountain Toad Brewing on March 11. The sauna, which offers 30-minute sessions for $25 per person, stops the brewery every other Tuesday evening. Credit: Corinne Westeman
Cheesecake Factory opening May 13 at Colorado Mills
Those who’ve walked around Colorado Mills lately may have seen the “Cheesecake Factory, coming soon” signs.
The restaurant recently announced a May 13 opening date for its new location at the Lakewood mall.
The new Cheesecake Factory will be at Entry No. 1, on the mall’s northwest corner. It will be accessible from both the mall’s exterior and interior.
The restaurant features more than 250 items on its menu, each freshly prepared from scratch at every location, including more than 30 “legendary cheesecakes,” the Cheesecake Factory described in a recent press release.
Additionally, the restaurant stated it will be hiring more than 300 employees for the Colorado Mills location. This includes bartenders, bussers, cashiers, baristas, line cooks, servers and more.
Anyone interested in applying should visit cakecareers.com/coloradomills.
