Finding a Mexican restaurant that genuinely welcomes families, where the food is delicious, the atmosphere is relaxed, and kids can actually enjoy their meal, isn’t always easy. But here in Aurora, we’ve been making family dining our specialty since 1990.
At El Chubby’s, we understand that feeding a family means balancing everyone’s tastes, from adventurous eaters to the pickiest little ones. Our recipes have been passed down through generations, and over 35 years of serving the Aurora community has taught us exactly what families need: fresh, made-to-order dishes, a welcoming environment, and menu options that make everyone happy. Whether you’re planning a sit-down dinner or grabbing something quick through our drive-thru, we’ve got you covered.
Why Families Love Dining at El Chubby’s
There’s something special about walking into a restaurant and feeling like you belong there, especially when you’ve got kids in tow. We hear it from parents all the time: they appreciate that our team doesn’t bat an eye when a toddler gets a little loud or a preschooler spills their drink. That’s just part of family dining, and we get it.
Our location at 1191 S. Abilene St has been home base since 1991, and in that time we’ve watched countless families grow up with us. Some of our original customers now bring their own kids, and even grandkids, through our doors. That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because we treat every family the way we’d want to be treated.
Beyond the welcoming vibe, families love the flexibility we offer. Running late after soccer practice? Hit the drive-thru. Need to order ahead because you know the kids are going to melt down if they wait too long? We’ve got online ordering available through Uber Eats and DoorDash, plus pickup service from 8 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 8 PM on Sundays.
And let’s be honest, parents appreciate good value. Our combination plates mix and match favorites like tacos, enchiladas, and rellenos, and every plate comes with rice and beans. That means you can feed a hungry family without very costly, all while enjoying food that actually tastes homemade. Because it is. We make our beans in the pot just like Mama used to make, and everything is grilled fresh to order.
Top Kid-Friendly Menu Items
We’ve put together a dedicated kids menu for guests 10 and younger, and here’s the best part: every kids meal includes a sopapilla. Because what kid doesn’t love ending their meal with something sweet?
Tacos and Burritos for Picky Eaters
If your child falls into the “I only eat three things” category, we’ve got options that work. Our kids menu features a cheese quesadilla and fries, a crowd-pleaser for even the most selective eaters. The beef taco with rice and beans offers a simple, familiar combination that most kids will dive right into.
For slightly more adventurous little ones, the plain bean burrito with rice is filling without being overwhelming. And our cheese enchilada with rice gives them something saucy and satisfying. The beauty of our setup is that we can customize almost anything. Need that burrito plain with nothing inside but beans? Done. Want extra cheese on the quesadilla? We’re on it.
Our taco and burrito options extend beyond the kids menu too. Parents often order a beef and bean taco or a chicken taco from our regular menu and split it between younger kids. The portions are generous enough to share, and you can choose soft, fluffy tortillas or crunchy shells depending on what your child prefers.
Mild and Flavorful Options for Little Ones
Spice levels matter when you’re feeding kids, and we understand that not every child is ready for our signature green chili. That’s why we offer our dishes prepared multiple ways, plain (no chili or cheese), special (green chili and cheese inside), smothered, or deluxe with lettuce and tomatoes.
For younger children who prefer milder flavors, our popcorn chicken and fries hits the spot every time. It’s familiar enough to satisfy cautious eaters while still being made fresh in our kitchen. The cheese enchilada is another winner, cheesy, slightly tangy from the traditional red sauce, and not too spicy for sensitive palates.
We also offer mild green chili as an option for parents who want to introduce their kids to more traditional Mexican flavors without the heat. Ask your server about having any dish prepared mild, and we’ll make it happen. Our goal is making sure everyone at the table enjoys their meal, even the four-year-old who’s still figuring out what they like.
Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere for Children
We’re a family-owned business, and that family mindset extends to how we run our restaurant. When kids walk through our door, they’re not an inconvenience, they’re valued guests. Our staff knows how to interact with children, whether that means bringing out crayons, delivering the kids’ food first when little ones are getting antsy, or just giving parents a knowing smile when things get chaotic.
The atmosphere at El Chubby’s is casual and relaxed. You won’t find white tablecloths or hushed conversations here. What you will find is a comfortable space where families can actually enjoy their meal without worrying about their kids being “too loud” or “too messy.” We’ve seen it all over 35 years, and honestly, a happy kid making a bit of noise is music to our ears.
Our seating arrangements accommodate families of different sizes. Whether you’re dining with one child or five, we can make it work. And because everything is made to order, we can pace your meal according to your family’s needs. Got a baby who needs to eat right away? We’ll prioritize that order. Older kids who can wait a few extra minutes while mom and dad enjoy some chips and salsa? No problem.
The little touches matter too. Ending every kids meal with a sopapilla gives children something to look forward to, turning dinner into a treat rather than a chore. And our dessert menu, churros rolled in cinnamon and sugar, deep fried ice cream, horchata bites, gives families a reason to linger and enjoy time together.
Tips for a Stress-Free Family Meal
After decades of watching families dine with us, we’ve picked up a few insights that might help make your visit smoother.
Time your visit strategically. If you’ve got very young children, consider coming during off-peak hours when the restaurant is quieter and service is faster. Early dinners (around 4:30-5:00 PM) tend to be less crowded than the 6:00-7:30 PM rush.
Order kids’ food first. Don’t be shy about asking your server to put in the kids’ orders right away while you’re still deciding. We’re happy to stagger the timing so little ones get fed quickly.
Take advantage of customization. Everything at El Chubby’s is grilled to order, which means we can adjust dishes to suit your child’s preferences. Extra cheese, no onions, sauce on the side, just ask.
Consider the drive-thru for particularly tired days. Sometimes the best family meal is the one you eat at home in pajamas. Our drive-thru makes it easy to grab everyone’s favorites without the stress of dining out when kids are overtired.
Don’t skip dessert. This might sound counterintuitive, but dessert can actually be a great motivator for kids to behave during dinner. Our churros and sopapillas are worth the wait, and knowing there’s something sweet coming can help kids stay patient.
Bring a backup snack for babies and toddlers. While we’ve got plenty of options for older kids, very young children might need something to munch on while they wait. We won’t judge if you pull out some Cheerios to tide them over.
Use online ordering when possible. If you know exactly what everyone wants, placing your order ahead of time through our website or delivery partners means less waiting once you arrive for pickup.
What Parents Should Know Before Visiting
A few practical details can make planning your family visit easier.
Location and hours: We’re located at 1191 S. Abilene St in Aurora, Colorado. Our pickup and delivery service runs from 8 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday, and 11 AM to 8 PM on Sundays. Whether you’re craving a breakfast burrito or dinner tacos, we’ve got something cooking throughout the day.
Ordering options: You can dine in, take out, order online, use our drive-thru, or get delivery through Uber Eats and DoorDash. For families with unpredictable schedules (which is basically all families with kids), having that flexibility makes a big difference.
Kids menu age limit: Our kids menu is available for children 10 and younger. Every kids meal comes with a sopapilla, which is a sweet bonus that kids absolutely love.
Dietary accommodations: While we’re a traditional Mexican restaurant, we can often adjust dishes for common preferences. Vegetarian? Our bean burrito, cheese enchiladas, and guacamole are all solid options. Need something without spice? We’ll prepare it plain or with mild chili.
Price considerations: Our menu offers great value, especially the combination plates that come with rice and beans included. Families can mix and match dishes to keep everyone happy without overspending. Our housemade guacamole and chips make excellent shareable appetizers, and our sides are available in various sizes from cups to quarts if you want to stock up.
Portions: Mexican food portions tend to be generous, and ours are no exception. For younger children, consider splitting a regular menu item rather than ordering multiple full meals. Many families find that a couple of combination plates plus a kids meal or two feeds the whole crew with room for dessert.
Conclusion
Family dining should be enjoyable, not stressful. At El Chubby’s, we’ve spent over 35 years creating an environment where families feel welcome, kids can be kids, and everyone leaves satisfied.
Our menu offers something for every palate, from adventurous eaters who want to try our signature green chili to picky eaters who just need a cheese quesadilla and fries. We cook everything fresh and to order, which means we can customize dishes to suit your family’s needs.
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, grabbing a quick weeknight dinner, or just treating the family to something better than fast food, we hope you’ll consider making El Chubby’s your go-to spot for family dining in Aurora. Swing by our location on South Abilene Street, hit up the drive-thru, or order online, we look forward to serving you and your family soon.
