Ask any taco lover about their preference, and you’re bound to spark a passionate debate. Soft or crunchy? It’s one of those culinary questions that divides families, friendships, and entire neighborhoods. Here at El Chubby’s Mexican Restaurant in Aurora, Colorado, we’ve been watching this friendly battle unfold since 1990, and honestly, we think both sides have a point.
Whether you’re team soft tortilla or you live for that satisfying crunch, our Aurora menu has you covered. We’ve spent over three decades perfecting our tacos, drawing from family recipes passed down through generations. And in that time, we’ve learned a thing or two about what makes each shell style shine. So let’s dig into the soft vs crunchy taco debate and help you figure out which El Chubby’s taco is calling your name.
The Great Taco Shell Debate
It’s a conversation that’s been happening at dinner tables and drive-thru windows for decades. Some folks swear by the pillowy embrace of a warm flour tortilla, while others wouldn’t dream of ordering a taco without that golden, crispy shell. And you know what? Neither side is wrong.
The soft vs crunchy debate really comes down to texture, tradition, and personal taste. Soft tortillas, whether flour or corn, have deep roots in Mexican cuisine, offering flexibility and a subtle flavor that lets fillings take center stage. They’re pliable, easy to fold, and hold up well when packed with savory meats and fresh toppings.
Crunchy shells, on the other hand, bring something entirely different to the table. That audible snap when you take a bite? Pure satisfaction. The contrast between the crisp exterior and the warm, seasoned filling creates a sensory experience that’s hard to beat. Plus, there’s something nostalgic about a hard-shell taco for many Americans who grew up with them.
At El Chubby’s, we don’t think you should have to choose a side permanently. That’s why we offer both options across our menu. Craving something traditional? Go soft. Want that extra crunch factor? We’ve got you. Some regulars even switch it up depending on their mood or what filling they’re ordering, and we think that’s the smartest approach of all.
Soft Taco Options at El Chubby’s
When it comes to soft tacos, we take pride in offering options that satisfy purists and adventurous eaters alike. Our soft, fluffy tortillas are made fresh and serve as the perfect vessel for everything from classic beef to grilled steak.
Flour Tortillas
Our flour tortillas are a customer favorite for good reason. They’re soft, slightly chewy, and have that subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with savory fillings. When you order a burrito or opt for soft tacos, you’re getting a flour tortilla that’s been warmed to perfection, pliable enough to wrap around generous portions of meat, beans, cheese, and all your favorite toppings.
Flour tortillas work especially well with our heartier options. They can handle the weight of steak strips grilled with jalapeños, onions, and tomatoes without tearing. And when you add rice, beans, and a dollop of our housemade guacamole? That flour tortilla holds everything together like a champ.
Corn Tortillas
For those who prefer something with a bit more character, our white corn tortillas deliver an authentic taste that’s hard to replicate. There’s a distinct, earthy flavor to corn tortillas that really shines with traditional preparations. Our Steak Order, for example, features three steak tacos folded into soft white corn tortillas, served alongside rice, beans, and sliced avocado.
Corn tortillas tend to be smaller and slightly more delicate than their flour counterparts, but that’s part of their charm. They encourage you to really taste the filling, with the corn providing a subtle backdrop rather than competing for attention. If you’re looking for a more traditional Mexican taco experience in Aurora, corn is the way to go.
Crunchy Taco Offerings
Now let’s talk about the crispy side of things. Our crunchy taco options bring that satisfying texture contrast that so many of our Aurora customers crave. There’s just something about biting into a hot, crispy shell that hits different.
Classic Hard Shells
Our classic hard shells are fried to a perfect golden crunch. They’re sturdy enough to hold up to generous fillings but not so thick that they overpower the taco itself. We offer hard-shell versions of our most popular tacos, including beef, chicken, steak, carnitas, and even our Philly cheesesteak taco (yes, it’s as good as it sounds).
The key to a great crunchy taco is timing. A shell that sits too long loses its crispness. That’s why we prepare our hard-shell tacos fresh when you order, so you get that hot, crunchy exterior the moment it hits your hands. Whether you’re dining in at our Aurora location or grabbing food from the drive-thru, we want every bite to deliver that satisfying snap.
Double-Layered Options
Here’s where things get interesting. Some of our combination plates let you experience the best of both worlds. Picture this: a crispy taco shell wrapped in a soft flour tortilla, with a layer of refried beans or melted cheese holding them together. You get the crunch you’re after, plus the flexibility and flavor of a soft tortilla.
Our Navajo tacos and some of our specialty items play with these layered textures in creative ways. It’s the kind of customization that keeps our regulars coming back, because why settle for one texture when you can have both?
Popular Fillings and Flavor Combinations
Of course, the shell is only part of the equation. What goes inside matters just as much, maybe even more. At El Chubby’s, we offer a range of fillings that pair beautifully with both soft and crunchy shells.
Our beef tacos are a classic choice. Seasoned ground beef with that familiar spiced flavor works great in either shell style. In a soft tortilla, the beef stays warm and juicy. In a crunchy shell, you get that wonderful contrast between the crispy exterior and the savory filling.
Chicken is another crowd-pleaser. We grill our pollo to order, so you’re getting tender, freshly prepared chicken every time. The lighter flavor of chicken pairs particularly well with fresh toppings like lettuce, tomato, and sour cream, whether you wrap it in a flour tortilla or pile it into a crunchy shell.
For something more substantial, our steak tacos feature tender strips grilled with jalapeño, onions, and tomatoes. This filling really shines in soft corn tortillas, where the simplicity of the shell lets those grilled flavors come through. But don’t let us stop you from ordering it crunchy if that’s your preference.
Carnitas bring a slower-cooked, pull-apart pork experience that’s rich and satisfying. The fattier nature of carnitas means it works wonderfully in a crunchy shell, where the rendered pork fat keeps everything moist while the shell provides textural contrast.
And we can’t forget our tostadas, which are essentially flat crunchy tacos. Available with beef, bean, beef and bean, or guacamole, tostadas offer a different eating experience altogether. They’re crispy all the way through and meant to be eaten with a fork or picked up and bitten into carefully.
No matter what filling you choose, don’t skip our housemade guacamole on the side. It’s the finishing touch that takes any taco from great to unforgettable.
Which Shell Style Works Best for Different Tacos
So here’s the real question: how do you decide which shell to choose? While personal preference eventually rules, we’ve noticed some patterns over the years that might help guide your decision.
Go soft when:
- You’re ordering a filling with a lot of juice or sauce. Soft tortillas absorb some of that liquid without falling apart, while crunchy shells can get soggy.
- You want to load up on toppings. A soft flour tortilla can handle more volume and wraps around everything neatly.
- You’re eating on the go. Soft tacos are generally less messy and easier to eat with one hand (though we always recommend pulling over if you’re in the drive-thru).
- You prefer traditional Mexican-style preparations. Corn tortillas especially give you that authentic flavor profile.
Go crunchy when:
- You want maximum texture contrast. That crunch against warm, seasoned meat is genuinely satisfying.
- You’re keeping toppings minimal. A few key ingredients let the shell texture shine without overwhelming it.
- You’re in the mood for nostalgia. Many of us grew up with hard-shell tacos, and sometimes you just want that familiar experience.
- You’re ordering tostadas or Navajo tacos, where the crispy element is central to the dish.
Of course, these are guidelines, not rules. We’ve seen plenty of customers order steak in a crunchy shell and love every bite. The beauty of El Chubby’s menu is that we let you customize your experience. Want your carnitas in a soft flour tortilla smothered with green chili and cheese? Done. Prefer your chicken taco crunchy with just cheese and lettuce? We’ve got you.
And here’s a tip: our combination plates let you try multiple tacos in one order. Get one soft and one crunchy, compare them side by side, and figure out your preference firsthand. It’s research, delicious research.
What Locals Are Saying About El Chubby’s Tacos
We’ve been part of the Aurora community since 1990, and in that time, we’ve built relationships with generations of taco lovers. Families who first came to us as newlyweds now bring their kids and grandkids. That kind of loyalty means everything to our team.
Locals appreciate that we’re not just another generic Mexican food restaurant. Our recipes have been passed down through the family, and that authenticity comes through in every dish. When someone searches for “Mexican food near me” in Aurora, we want them to find more than convenience, we want them to find quality.
Our regulars often have strong opinions in the soft vs crunchy debate, and we love hearing them. Some come in specifically for our soft corn tortilla steak tacos and won’t order anything else. Others are devoted to the crunchy beef taco and have been ordering it the same way for twenty years. A few adventurous souls try something new every visit, working their way through the menu one taco at a time.
What we hear most often is that our tacos taste fresh. And that’s because they are. We grill to order, we make our guacamole in-house, and we take pride in every plate that leaves our kitchen. Whether you dine in, take out, order online, or swing through our drive-thru, you’re getting the same care and attention.
Aurora has plenty of options when it comes to Mexican food, but we like to think El Chubby’s stands out because we actually care about what we’re serving. It’s not just about filling bellies, it’s about creating meals people remember and come back for.
Conclusion
The soft vs crunchy taco debate isn’t going away anytime soon, and frankly, we hope it never does. It’s part of what makes taco culture so fun. At El Chubby’s Mexican Restaurant in Aurora, we celebrate both sides of this delicious divide.
Whether you’re a soft tortilla loyalist who appreciates the tender flexibility of flour or corn, or you’re firmly in the crunchy camp where every bite delivers that satisfying snap, we’ve got tacos waiting for you. Our menu offers the variety to explore, the quality to impress, and the flavors to keep you coming back.
Next time you’re craving tacos in Aurora, skip the generic search results and head straight to El Chubby’s. Order your favorite shell style, load it up with beef, chicken, steak, or carnitas, and don’t forget that side of housemade guac. Better yet, bring a friend who disagrees with your shell preference and settle the debate over a meal.
We’ve been serving Aurora families since 1990, and we’re not slowing down. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, soft or crunchy, we’re ready when you are. Swing by, order online, or hit the drive-thru. But you get your tacos, just make sure you save room for churros.
