Chico's Taco

Chico's Tacos

Chico's Tacos is a small local restaurant chain based in El Paso, Texas. It was founded on July 4, 1953 by local boxing promoter Joe Mora. Long considered a local institution in El Paso, 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".

Chico's has entered into local legend for its rolled tacos in a special tomato soup-like sauce, as well as its low prices. Other items on the menu include hamburgers, French fries, grilled cheese sandwiches (or as Chicos Tacos employees often refer to them as "grillos"), and special round hot dogs served on hamburger buns. Originally located at 4230 Alameda Avenue on El Paso's south side, Chico's has since expanded to five El Paso locations, primarily on the town's east side. Since Mora's death in 1992, the restaurants have been run by his surviving children.

Menu specialties

Chico's Tacos' specialty dish is a paper tray containing three rolled flauta-like tacos submerged in bath of tomato juice and then topped with shredded American Cheese. The custom is to grab the tacos individually out of the tomato juice and, using a provided plastic fork, to scoop the melted cheese onto the taco and take a bite. The most commonly ordered items are the single order (three tacos) or double order (six tacos), which come topped with grated cheese. However, many devotees will order two single orders instead of a double order, so as to achieve best cheese coverage on all tacos.

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.

Recognition

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 "local legend", to the applause of the audience.

Discrimination controversy

Chico's Tacos has been accused of discriminating against homosexuals. In July 2009 five homosexual men were asked by security at the Chico's Tacos location on Montwood to leave after a couple kissed. The security guard claimed the group was unruly, and allegedly told one man that he didn't allow "that faggot stuff" in the restaurant. Later in July 2009 an anti-homophobia protest by more than fifty people was held near Chico's Tacos at their Montwood location.

References

Retrieved from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chico%27s_Tacos