Where it all started:
El Paso (from Spanish, "the pass") is the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. As of July 1, 2012, the population estimate from the U.S. Census was 672,538, making it the 19th most populous city in the United States. El Paso stands on the Rio Grande (Río Bravo del Norte), across the border from Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico.
About the El Paso tradition:
Chico's Tacos is a small local restaurant chain based in El Paso, Texas. It was founded on July, 4 1953 by boxing promoter Joe Mora. Since Mora's death in 1992, the restaurant has been run by his surviving children, and has expanded to over five El Paso locations. It is perhaps the city's best-known restaurant, having even featured in the Food Network show, The Best Thing I Ever Ate. It was also a topic of the Gabriel Iglesias stand up act "I'm not Fat... I'm Fluffy".
Menu:
Chico's Tacos top thing on the menu is rolled tacos drenched in tomato soup and top with your picking of grated cheese, green chile sauce, or both. In addition to its tacos, Chico's Tacos is also known for its hot dog which, unlike a traditional American hotdog, is served on a hamburger bun with two franks sliced in half lengthwise, topped with chili beans, mustard, and pickles, and its crinkle fries which some say taste best with the tomato juice and cheese from the tacos. They also serve grilled cheese.
Honors:
In 2003 the 78th Texas House of Representatives adopted a resolution (HR 84), introduced by El Paso representative Norma Chavez, honoring the Mora family and celebrating the restaurant's 50th anniversary.
Standup comedian Gabriel Iglesias mentioned Chico's in his 2009 Comedy Central special I'm Not Fat, I'm Fluffy. During his routine, which was taped in El Paso, Iglesias referenced Chico's as a "El Paso's tradition", to the applause of the audience.
Standup comedian Gabriel Iglesias mentioned Chico's in his 2009 Comedy Central special I'm Not Fat, I'm Fluffy. During his routine, which was taped in El Paso, Iglesias referenced Chico's as a "El Paso's tradition", to the applause of the audience.
My opinion:
Chico's is something you either like or don't. It appears there is no middle ground on this topic as you can see from the many reviews. Overall Chico's
provides a uniquely inexpensive product that many people love. In addition to their tacos they serve hot dogs (on a bun), burritos (bean and green chili) and
sides such as fries. Kids will likely enjoy the grilled cheese sandwiches (I know this because I eat the grilled cheese). As many people have said, the tacos are an acquired taste. Try them and you might find you like them. Many people like Chico's or it would not be the El Paso icon that it is. I personally think it should've been named "The Drowning Taco-Like Flautas."
provides a uniquely inexpensive product that many people love. In addition to their tacos they serve hot dogs (on a bun), burritos (bean and green chili) and
sides such as fries. Kids will likely enjoy the grilled cheese sandwiches (I know this because I eat the grilled cheese). As many people have said, the tacos are an acquired taste. Try them and you might find you like them. Many people like Chico's or it would not be the El Paso icon that it is. I personally think it should've been named "The Drowning Taco-Like Flautas."