There’s something deeply satisfying about a plate that gives you a little bit of everything. At El Chubby’s, we’ve been perfecting the art of combination plates since 1990, serving up fresh, made-to-order Mexican food that brings families together in Aurora, Colorado. Whether you’re torn between enchiladas and tamales or simply want to sample more of what our kitchen has to offer, our combo plates solve that delicious dilemma. Every plate arrives with rice and beans on the side, turning a simple meal into a complete experience. Let us walk you through what makes our combination plates stand out, and how to find your perfect match.

What Makes a Great Combination Plate

A truly great combination plate isn’t just about piling more food onto your tray. It’s about balance, contrast, and a thoughtful pairing of flavors that complement one another without competing.

First, there’s variety. A good combo plate should give you distinct textures and tastes in every bite, something crispy alongside something smothered in chili, something cheesy next to something savory. You shouldn’t feel like you’re eating the same thing three times over.

Then there’s freshness. We grill everything to order at El Chubby’s, which means your plate arrives hot and ready, not sitting under a heat lamp. That matters more than people realize. The difference between a soggy enchilada and one with a slight snap to the tortilla edge? Night and day.

Portion size plays a role too. A combination plate should leave you satisfied, not uncomfortably stuffed or still hungry. We’ve calibrated our combos to hit that sweet spot, with generous servings of rice and beans rounding out each meal.

And finally, customization. Not everyone wants green chili. Some folks prefer red sauce. Others want extra cheese or hold the sour cream. At El Chubby’s, we understand that. That’s why we let you have almost anything prepared exactly the way you like it.

The Variety That Sets El Chubby’s Apart

We didn’t just throw together a few random items and call them combination plates. Each combo on our menu was designed to give you a taste of what we do best, mixing and matching our most beloved dishes into one satisfying meal.

Signature Proteins and Fillings

Our proteins are where the magic starts. We offer beef, chicken, steak, carnitas, and bean options across our combination plates, so there’s something for every appetite.

Take our Combo #8, for example. It pairs a small beef and bean burrito smothered in our signature green chili with a cheese enchilada and a beef taco. Three completely different preparations, three different flavor profiles, one plate. Or consider Combo #10, which features three carne asada enchiladas smothered in our traditional red sauce, perfect for anyone who knows exactly what they want and wants plenty of it.

Our homemade tamales (featured in Combo #2) are a customer favorite, smothered in that signature green chili that’s become synonymous with El Chubby’s. And for those who love a little heat and substance, our smothered rellenos in Combo #3 deliver crispy, cheesy satisfaction.

Sides That Complete the Experience

Every combination plate comes served with rice and beans, but don’t think of these as afterthoughts. Our rice is seasoned properly, fluffy and aromatic. The beans? Creamy, well-spiced, and the perfect vehicle for scooping up any extra chili left on your plate.

Want to add more? We’ve got you covered with sides like housemade guacamole, chips and salsa, queso con chorizo, and even chicharrones for some crunch. These additions can turn a great combo plate into an unforgettable feast.

Fresh Ingredients and Authentic Recipes

Here’s the thing about Mexican food: shortcuts show. You can taste when tortillas have been sitting around, when meat was pre-cooked hours ago, or when the salsa came from a jar. We don’t do any of that.

At El Chubby’s, freshness isn’t a marketing buzzword, it’s how we’ve operated since opening our doors. Our family has been creating made-to-order dishes using recipes passed down through generations. That means your cheese enchiladas taste like someone’s abuela made them, not like they rolled off a factory line.

Our green chili is a perfect example. That signature flavor you’ll find smothering burritos, tamales, and rellenos throughout our combo plates? It’s made in-house, using a recipe we’ve refined over decades. Same goes for our red sauce, which brings that traditional, slightly tangy warmth to dishes like our carne asada enchiladas.

We source quality ingredients and prepare them with care. Tender strips of steak get grilled with jalapeño, onions, and tomatoes. Chicken is cooked the same way, never rubbery, always juicy. Even our sopapillas, which you’ll find accompanying our kids’ meals or as a sweet finish to your own dinner, are made soft, chewy, and fresh.

Authenticity matters to us because it matters to you. When you bite into one of our combination plates, you’re tasting tradition, not a corporate recipe designed in some test kitchen far from Colorado.

How to Choose the Perfect Combination Plate for Your Appetite

With ten combination plates on our menu (plus specialty items like our Carne Asada Plate and Stuffed Sopapillas), choosing can feel overwhelming. Here’s how we’d break it down.

If you want classic comfort: Go with Combo #1, featuring three cheese enchiladas smothered in traditional red sauce. It’s straightforward, satisfying, and hits all the nostalgic notes. Combo #2 with our two smothered homemade tamales is another solid choice for purists.

If you’re indecisive (no judgment): Combo #6, El Chubby’s Sampler, was literally designed for you. One small beef and bean burrito smothered in green chili, one beef taco, and one tostada, three different textures, three different experiences. Combo #8 offers a similar variety with its burrito, enchilada, and taco trio.

If you’re really hungry: Combo #9 brings two smothered beef and bean burritos to the table, both drenched in our signature green chili. Pair that with rice and beans, and you’ve got serious fuel.

If you love rellenos: Combo #3 gives you two smothered rellenos, or try Combo #7 for a cheese enchilada paired with a smothered relleno, the best of both worlds.

If you want something special: Bertha’s Special Burrito (Combo #5) tops a regular size bean burrito with cheese and your choice of chili, then adds our delicious chicharrone on top. It’s different, it’s crunchy, and it’s absolutely worth trying.

Still stuck? Ask our team. We’ve been serving Aurora since 1990, and we’re happy to point you toward your new favorite.

Conclusion

Combination plates exist for good reason, they let you explore without committing to just one thing. At El Chubby’s, we’ve built our combo menu around variety, freshness, and recipes that have stood the test of time. Whether you dine in, hit our drive-thru, or order through Uber Eats and DoorDash, we’re ready to serve up something satisfying. Come see why Aurora families have trusted us for over three decades. We’re sure you’ll feel right at home.