Marcos Bolaños (The Flavor Analyst)
Google
All my reviews are based solely on the food flavor experience. However, Chicos Tacos is unique among all my reviews because the place holds a special place in my childhood memories. Therefore, I have a bias that definitely influences my experience.
My grandpa would bring me and my brother to Chicos throughout our childhood and they were the happiest times spent with him. I remember us chanting "Chicos, Chicos, Chicos!" and we would jump into his truck and we would be off to get those tacos. On my most recent visit to El Paso, we were preparing to celebrate my grandpa's 90th birthday! So that first day I was back in town, I asked if he wanted to go to Chicos and so we did. Of course I ordered a ton so I could experience it fully, i.e. tacos, french fries, sodas, and of course hotdogs.
Now for my honest review....Chicos is not the same as it was 15 years ago when I moved away. I heard similar comments from family who still live in El Paso. I know the cheese supplier changed and the hotdogs are not the same as they once were. I remember them being those large red ones that packed alot of flavor. Sadly, the food flavors were not the same. However, they were not bad.....just not the same. I still ate at least 20 tacos, two items of fries, and an entire hotdog. I will still visit Chicos and have a grand ol time next time I am in town. But for new visitors, you will hear Chicos is the greatest, but it really isn't. It is good food that brings back all the childhood memories of all El Paso residents. It's that happy memory we all have that makes the food seem better than it really is. But that is totally ok. Memories and food go together to create the full experience.
So thank you Chicos for being a part of my childhood and I will always pay you a visit when I am in town. Just quick suggestion....give us more salsa with our orders. That's all.