Is Chico’s Tacos Still Cheap? Real Prices & the Value Debate
For 70 years, “cheap” was half of Chico’s Tacos’ identity — a double order of rolled tacos and a soda was the classic El Paso bargain. Lately, that reputation has become a genuine argument. Some locals swear it’s still the best few dollars in the city; others post their receipts in disbelief. So here’s the honest breakdown: exact current prices, a real diner’s bill, and the insider orders that still deliver.
The Great Chico’s Price Debate
Both sides are real, and both show up in the reviews constantly. Here’s the honest split.
💚 “Still a bargain”
- Around $5 with tax got one diner a double of 6 tacos
- Reviewers routinely file it under “$1–10 per person”
- The $1.87 grilled cheese is a beloved cheap-eat cult item
- Fast, filling, and packed with 70 years of nostalgia
🍅 “It’s gotten pricey”
- Singles now ~$4.44, doubles ~$8.88 — a real jump
- One diner tallied tacos + fries + drink near “$20 a person”
- Complaints that cheese and sauce portions shrank
- “We used to eat here all the time because it was inexpensive…”
What Everything Actually Costs
The Smart Bargain Order
The “$20 Shock” Order
The gap between those two bills is the whole debate. Chico’s is still genuinely cheap if you order like a local — it’s the fries-plus-large-drink-plus-double combo that pushes a solo visit toward $20 and lights up the review section.
Insider Orders That Beat the Price Creep
Real tips locals actually use to eat well for less.
Get the Grilled Cheese $1.87
The cult pick. Locals say it’s made with mayo instead of butter, and you can order it on the side to dip in your leftover taco sauce — El Paso’s answer to grilled cheese and tomato soup.
Dip Fries in the Sauce $1.88
The most-repeated tip in every review: don’t waste the tomato broth left in your taco tray. A cheap side of crinkle fries turns it into a second dish.
Add the Green Salsa free-ish
Regulars insist the tacos come alive with the special green salsa added on top. It’s the flavor upgrade that costs little to nothing and answers the “bland lately” complaints.
Build a Patty Melt +$0.96
A local secret: add an extra burger patty to the grilled cheese for under a dollar. You’ve quietly turned a $1.87 snack into a full, filling meal for well under $3.
🔎 Check for Chico’s Tacos Coupons
Chico’s doesn’t run a formal happy hour or publish coupon codes, but local deals and promos pop up now and then. This button runs a live search for any current Chico’s Tacos offers — so you always see today’s results instead of an expired code.
🔎 Search Live for Chico’s CouponsChico’s Tacos Prices FAQ
How much is a double order at Chico’s Tacos?
A double order of six rolled tacos runs about $8.88, with a single order of three around $4.44. Prices have risen over the years and can vary slightly by location, but the double remains the classic order.
Is Chico’s Tacos cash only?
Yes. Chico’s Tacos is cash only and doesn’t accept cards or checks. Each location has an on-site ATM if you arrive without cash, though it may charge a fee — bringing cash is smart.
Why do people say Chico’s Tacos got expensive?
Longtime customers remember it as an ultra-cheap staple, so the jump to roughly $8.88 for a double feels steep — and ordering a double with fries and a large drink can push a single person’s bill toward $20, which sparks the “greediness” complaints. Order more simply and it’s still an inexpensive meal.
What’s the cheapest thing to order at Chico’s Tacos?
The grilled cheese at $1.87 is the standout cheap item and a genuine local favorite. Pair it with a single order of tacos and water and you’re eating well for around $7 — or add a patty for under a dollar to make it a full meal.
Does Chico’s Tacos have coupons or a happy hour?
Chico’s doesn’t run a formal happy hour or publish coupon codes. Occasional local promos appear, so the live coupon search button above is the best way to check for any current deals rather than relying on a code that may have expired.
Deciding where to go and what to get? See what to order for the full rundown on the rolled tacos and hacks, find your nearest spot on the locations & hours page, or read how a 1953 taquito joint became an El Paso legend.