If you love tacos, you’ve probably had the soft vs crunchy debate more than once on the way to dinner. We get it. At El Chubby’s Mexican Restaurant here in Aurora, we make both styles daily, and each has its own personality. Whether you’re swinging through our drive-thru, grabbing a booth in the dining room, or ordering delivery on DoorDash or Uber Eats, this quick guide will help you pick the perfect taco for the moment.

What To Know About El Chubby’s Tacos In Aurora

We’ve been serving Aurora since 1990, cooking to order with family recipes and ingredients we’re proud of. That shows up in our tacos. You can choose soft corn or flour tortillas or go crunchy with hot, crispy shells. Fill them with beef, beans, chicken, steak, shrimp, or carnitas, then finish with your favorite toppings. Don’t forget a side of our housemade guacamole.

El Chubby’s Mexican Restaurant is set up for but you like to eat. Dine in for a relaxed meal with friends, use the convenient drive-thru when you’re on the move, or order delivery if you’re settling in at home. Portions are generous, prices are friendly, and our team aims to make every order right the first time. If you’re craving steak tacos, try our Steak Order plate with tender strips of steak grilled with jalapeño, onions, and tomatoes, tucked into soft white corn tortillas with rice, beans, and sliced avocado. It’s a local favorite for a reason.

Soft Tacos: Tortillas, Texture, And Flavor

Tortilla Quality And Warmth

Soft tacos live or die by the tortilla. We use warm, pliable tortillas that hug the fillings without getting in the way. Soft corn has a toasty aroma and a little chew. Flour is fluffy and mild. Either way, warmth matters. A heated tortilla keeps structure, highlights the aroma of grilled meats, and makes every bite feel fresh.

Because our tacos are made to order, the tortilla reaches you at its best. That small detail adds up. The tortilla should support the star of the show, not try to steal it.

Fillings That Shine In Soft Form

Cuts with great texture and juice excel in a soft tortilla. We recommend:

• Carne asada or steak for a beefy, char-kissed bite
• Carnitas for rich, slow-cooked flavor
• Chicken, especially grilled pollo, when you want something lighter
• Shrimp when you’re craving a clean, sweet snap
• Beans for a satisfying, vegetarian-friendly classic

Soft tacos handle saucier toppings like pico, salsa verde, or even a spoon of our green chile. They’re sturdy enough to hold it together while still being easy to fold and eat with one hand.

Crunchy Tacos: Shell, Snap, And Structure

Shell Integrity And Seasoning

Crunchy tacos are the fun ones. That first bite gives a real snap, and the shell adds a toasty, savory note you don’t get from soft tortillas. The trade-off is structure. A crunchy shell can crack, which is part of the charm and part of the mess. To keep the crunch, we load them smartly and recommend fillings that won’t weigh the shell down.

Fillings That Work Best In A Crunchy Shell

Dryer or finely chopped fillings work best in crunchy tacos. Think:

• Seasoned ground beef or shredded beef
• Diced chicken with lettuce and tomato
• Cheese, sour cream, and a mild salsa for balance

If you love green chile, go easy with crunchy shells so you keep that crisp texture. Spoon some on each bite instead of flooding the taco. You’ll get the heat without sacrificing the crunch.

Fillings, Salsas, And Sides

Proteins And Veg Options

Our taco lineup covers the bases:

• Beef, chicken, steak, shrimp, and carnitas
• Beans for a hearty vegetarian option
• Fun twists appear on our broader menu, like Navajo or even Philly Cheesesteak tacos

Each protein brings its own personality. Steak is bold and beef-forward. Carnitas are tender with crispy edges. Shrimp stays sweet and springy. Beans are creamy and comforting.

Salsa Heat Levels And Pairings

We offer mild to hot salsas, plus our Colorado-style green chile that regulars love. A few pairing ideas:

• Soft steak tacos with salsa verde for a bright, herbal kick
• Carnitas with roasted red salsa to match the rich pork
• Crunchy beef tacos with a mild tomato salsa so the shell stays crisp
• If you want heat, add green chile to soft tacos, then keep a little on the side for dipping

If you’re spice-sensitive, tell us how you like it and we’ll guide you. We make it easy to dial the heat up or down.

Sides Worth Adding

Good sides make a meal. Guests in Aurora often pair tacos with:

• Refried beans and rice
• Housemade guacamole
• Sliced avocado on steak tacos for extra richness

El Chubby’s Mexican Restaurant also has a sweet side. If you’ve got room after tacos, churros, sopapillas, or deep-fried ice cream are all worth a try.

Ordering Smart: Value, Portions, And Customizations

Budget-Friendly Combos

Combo plates are the best value when you’re hungry. You’ll get tacos plus rice and beans, and sometimes a choice of shell and protein. It’s a simple way to try both soft and crunchy without overthinking it. If you’re driving through on a lunch break, combos are fast, filling, and easy to eat in the car.

Customization Tips For Soft Vs Crunchy

We make tacos to order, so ask for what you want. A few simple tips:

• Soft tacos handle more toppings and saucier salsas
• Crunchy tacos stay crisp with lighter toppings and a drizzle of salsa per bite
• Double up on tortillas for soft tacos if you love extra heft
• Ask for avocado or guacamole on steak or carnitas for a creamy balance
• Choose corn if you’re avoiding gluten, and let us know any dietary needs

Not sure where to start? Order one soft and one crunchy with the same filling and see which you prefer. It’s the easiest way to settle the soft vs crunchy debate for yourself.

Who Should Choose Soft Vs Crunchy?

Mess Factor, Portability, And Kid-Friendliness

Soft tacos are the tidy pick. They’re portable, fold neatly, and are great for drive-thru meals or delivery nights when you want fewer spills. Kids usually handle soft tacos better, especially with chicken or beans. Crunchy tacos bring the fun and the crunch, but expect a few crumbs. If you’re dining in and don’t mind a little mess, crunchy is a good time.

Dietary Notes And Allergens

Here are a few quick notes:

• Flour tortillas contain gluten
• Corn tortillas are typically gluten-free
• Cheese and sour cream contain dairy
• Green chile can contain gluten or dairy depending on the recipe, so ask if you’re sensitive

Tell us what you’re avoiding and we’ll help you order confidently. We want everyone at the table to eat well.

Conclusion

Soft vs crunchy isn’t about right or wrong. It’s about how you want to eat today. Soft tacos let the protein shine and welcome saucy salsas. Crunchy tacos add a satisfying snap and classic toppings. At El Chubby’s Mexican Restaurant, you can try both, mix fillings, and dial the heat just how you like it.

If you’re in Aurora and hungry for tacos, we’ve got you. Stop by our dining room, roll through the drive-thru, or order delivery on DoorDash or Uber Eats. We’ve been cooking to order for this community since 1990, and we’d love to make your next taco night easy and delicious. Give El Chubby’s Mexican Restaurant a try and tell us if you’re Team Soft or Team Crunchy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between soft vs crunchy tacos at El Chubby’s in Aurora?

Soft tacos use warm corn or flour tortillas that highlight juicy fillings and saucier toppings like salsa verde or green chile. Crunchy tacos deliver a toasty snap but stay best with lighter, drier fillings. At El Chubby’s, both are made to order so texture and flavor hit perfectly when served.

Which fillings pair best with soft tacos at El Chubby’s?

Soft tortillas shine with cuts that are tender and juicy: steak/carne asada for a char-kissed bite, carnitas for rich, slow-cooked flavor, grilled chicken for something lighter, shrimp for a sweet snap, and beans for a hearty vegetarian classic. They handle saucier toppings without falling apart.

What works best in crunchy tacos, and how do I keep the shell crisp?

Choose drier or finely chopped fillings like seasoned ground beef, shredded beef, or diced chicken with lettuce and tomato. Add cheese, sour cream, and a mild salsa for balance. To preserve crunch, drizzle salsa per bite or keep green chile on the side instead of soaking the shell.

Does El Chubby’s offer dine-in, drive-thru, and delivery in Aurora?

Yes. El Chubby’s Mexican Restaurant offers dine-in for relaxed meals, a convenient drive-thru when you’re on the go, and delivery through DoorDash and Uber Eats. Portions are generous, prices are friendly, and orders are cooked to order so your tacos arrive hot and fresh, soft or crunchy.

Are El Chubby’s tacos in Aurora gluten-free or dairy-free friendly?

Corn tortillas are typically gluten-free, while flour tortillas contain gluten. Cheese and sour cream contain dairy, and green chile recipes may include gluten or dairy—ask when ordering. Let the team know your dietary needs; they’ll guide you to safe choices and can customize tacos accordingly.

How can I keep takeout or delivery tacos from getting soggy?

Request salsas and green chile on the side, then add per bite. For crunchy shells, store fillings and shells separately until eating. Layer with lettuce or cheese as a moisture barrier, and avoid overfilling. If needed, quickly rewarm soft tortillas on a dry skillet to refresh texture.