Some restaurants come and go. Others stick around for a few years, ride a wave of popularity, and then fade into memory. And then there are places like El Chubby’s Mexican Restaurant in Aurora, Colorado, where families have been showing up for over three decades because they know exactly what they’re going to get: fresh food, generous portions, and that comfortable feeling of being somewhere that actually cares.

Since 1990, we’ve been serving the Aurora community from our home at 1191 S. Abilene St. In 2025, we’re celebrating 35 years in business, and honestly, that milestone wouldn’t be possible without the loyal customers who’ve followed us from day one. But what is it about El Chubby’s burgers specifically that keeps people coming back? Let’s break it down.

The Story Behind El Chubby’s

Our story starts with family. El Chubby’s was opened by one of Stella Cordova’s daughters right here in Aurora, and from the beginning, the goal was simple: serve fresh, made-to-order Mexican and Mexican-inspired dishes using recipes passed down through generations.

Over the years, the restaurant changed hands but never lost its identity. Norman Campbell, a familial acquaintance, took over and continued the tradition of quality that customers had come to expect. We trademarked independently, carving out our own path while still honoring the roots of what made places like the original Chubby’s Burger Drive-In so beloved in Colorado.

That heritage matters. When you walk into El Chubby’s, you’re not just getting a meal. You’re getting a piece of Aurora’s history. We’ve watched kids grow up, bring their own kids, and now some of those kids are bringing their families. That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because people trust us, and we’ve worked hard to earn that trust every single day for 35 years.

We make our beans in the pot just like Mama used to make. That’s not a marketing line. That’s literally how we operate.

What Makes the Burgers Stand Out

Here’s the thing about burgers at a Mexican restaurant: they could easily be an afterthought. A menu filler. Something thrown on there for the picky eaters in the group. But that’s not how we do things.

Our burgers draw from the original Chubby’s Burger Drive-In heritage, but we’ve transformed them with authentic flavors that fit right in with our Mexican-American menu. Think spicy green chile. Think fresh toppings. Think a burger that actually tastes like someone put thought into it.

Fresh Ingredients and House-Made Recipes

Everything at El Chubby’s is grilled to order. We don’t have burgers sitting under heat lamps waiting for someone to claim them. When you order, we start cooking. That’s the difference between a burger that’s just okay and a burger that makes you want to come back next week.

We use quality ingredients across our entire menu, whether you’re ordering a burger, tacos with beef, chicken, steak, or shrimp, or one of our loaded burritos. Our recipes have been adapted locally over the years, but they’re rooted in traditional Mexican cooking. It’s that blend of authenticity and accessibility that sets us apart.

And because we grill to order, you can customize almost anything. Want extra green chile? Done. Need to swap something out? We’ll make it happen. Your meal, your way.

Signature Menu Items Worth Trying

While we’re talking about burgers, we’d be doing you a disservice if we didn’t mention some of the other standouts on our menu:

• Seasoned Grilled Shrimp Tacos topped with jalapeño ranch, fresh avocado, and crisp cabbage
• Carne Asada Fries that have developed their own following
• Breakfast Burritos that locals swear by for morning fuel
• Pollo Tacos grilled to order with your choice of toppings
• Huevos Rancheros for a traditional breakfast experience

And if you somehow have room after all that, our dessert menu includes fluffy sopapillas, deep-fried ice cream, apple flautas, and hot churros rolled in sugar and cinnamon. We always tell people to save some room. Most people don’t listen, and then they wish they had.

A Dining Experience That Keeps Customers Coming Back

A good burger can get someone in the door once. A great experience is what brings them back.

At El Chubby’s Mexican Restaurant, we’ve built our reputation on consistency. When you order your favorite dish, it tastes the same every time. Not because we’re cutting corners or using pre-packaged ingredients, but because we’ve perfected our recipes over 35 years and we stick to what works.

We serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so no matter when hunger hits, we’ve got you covered. And we know people are busy. That’s why we offer multiple ways to get your food:

• Dine-in in our welcoming dining room
• Drive-thru for those days when you’re on the go
• Takeout when you want to enjoy El Chubby’s at home
• Delivery through DoorDash or Uber Eats

We’ve seen how eating habits have changed over the years. Some customers come in every week and sit in the same booth. Others grab their order from the drive-thru on their way home from work. Either way, we’re here to make sure you get a satisfying meal without the hassle.

There’s something about walking into a family-owned restaurant where the staff knows the regulars by name. Where the food is made fresh and the atmosphere feels like home. That’s what we’ve tried to create, and based on the families who’ve been coming here for generations, we think we’ve succeeded.

Community Connection and Local Support

Being part of the Aurora community isn’t just something we say. It’s something we live.

We’ve been at the same location on S. Abilene St. since 1991. We’ve seen the neighborhood grow and change. We’ve sponsored local events, fed hungry families, and celebrated milestones with our customers. When you support El Chubby’s, you’re supporting a local business that puts money back into the community where we all live and work.

There’s a reason why neighborhood institutions matter. Chain restaurants come and go based on corporate decisions made hundreds of miles away. But a family-owned spot like ours? We’re invested. This is our home.

Our team takes pride in providing a friendly experience for everyone who walks through our doors or pulls up to our drive-thru. We know that when someone chooses to spend their money with us, they could have gone anywhere. That means something. And we try to show our appreciation through every meal we serve.

The loyalty we’ve built over 35 years didn’t happen because of slick marketing or gimmicks. It happened because we showed up, day after day, and delivered on our promise of fresh, quality Mexican food at fair prices.

What Loyal Customers Have to Say

We could tell you all day about why our burgers and Mexican food are worth trying. But honestly, the best endorsement comes from the people who keep coming back.

Our 35-year milestone in 2025 is proof of something important: we’ve earned the trust of our community. Families who discovered us in the early ’90s are still eating with us today. Their kids grew up on our burritos and tacos. Now those kids are adults bringing their own children.

That kind of multi-generational loyalty is rare in the restaurant industry. People don’t stick with a place for 35 years unless it’s doing something right.

We hear it all the time from customers:

• “This is where we always go for Mexican food.”
• “The green chile burger is the best in Aurora.”
• “We’ve been coming here since before the kids were born.”

Those aren’t just nice things to hear. They’re reminders of why we do what we do. Every fresh ingredient, every made-to-order meal, every friendly interaction at the counter adds up. It’s the accumulation of thousands of small choices made with care that creates a loyal following.

And we don’t take that loyalty for granted. Every customer who walks in is a chance to prove that El Chubby’s is still the same quality, family-focused restaurant it’s always been.

Conclusion

So why do El Chubby’s burgers have such a loyal following in Aurora? It comes down to the things that matter: fresh ingredients, recipes perfected over decades, a commitment to quality, and genuine care for the community we serve.

We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We’re trying to be the best Mexican restaurant for the people of Aurora who want great food without pretense. Whether you’re craving a green chile burger, shrimp tacos, carne asada fries, or a breakfast burrito to start your day, we’ve got you covered.

Ready to see what the loyal following is all about? Stop by El Chubby’s Mexican Restaurant at 1191 S. Abilene St. in Aurora for dine-in or drive-thru service. You can also order delivery through DoorDash or Uber Eats if you’d rather enjoy our food from the comfort of home. We’ve been here for 35 years, and we’re not going anywhere. Come taste the difference that’s kept families coming back for generations.

We hope to see you soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes El Chubby’s burgers different from other restaurants in Aurora?

El Chubby’s burgers stand out because they’re grilled to order using fresh ingredients and feature authentic Mexican-American flavors like spicy green chile. Drawing from the original Chubby’s Burger Drive-In heritage, each burger is made with care—never sitting under heat lamps—ensuring quality in every bite.

How long has El Chubby’s been serving the Aurora community?

El Chubby’s Mexican Restaurant has been serving Aurora since 1990, celebrating 35 years in business in 2025. Located at 1191 S. Abilene St., the family-owned restaurant has built multi-generational loyalty by consistently delivering fresh, made-to-order Mexican and Mexican-inspired dishes.

What are the most popular menu items at El Chubby’s besides burgers?

Beyond their famous burgers, El Chubby’s is known for seasoned grilled shrimp tacos with jalapeño ranch and avocado, carne asada fries, hearty breakfast burritos, and pollo tacos. For dessert, guests love their fluffy sopapillas, deep-fried ice cream, and hot churros rolled in cinnamon sugar.

Does El Chubby’s offer delivery or drive-thru service?

Yes, El Chubby’s offers multiple convenient ordering options. You can dine in, use their drive-thru for quick pickup, order takeout, or get delivery through DoorDash or Uber Eats. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner to accommodate any schedule.

What is the best green chile burger in Aurora?

Many locals consider El Chubby’s green chile burger the best in Aurora. Made with fresh ingredients and grilled to order, it features their signature spicy green chile that perfectly blends Mexican flavors with classic American burger tradition—a combination that’s earned devoted fans over 35 years.

Is El Chubby’s a family-owned restaurant?

Yes, El Chubby’s is a family-owned restaurant with deep roots in Aurora’s history. Originally opened by one of Stella Cordova’s daughters, it continues to honor traditional family recipes while serving the community with the same commitment to quality and care that started in 1990.