4 out of 5 stars

Raleigh’s assortment of Mexican restaurants (at least the ones I have tried) are pretty depressing. In fact it seems like the majority of them are run by the same people, because they all offer the same menu items at a somewhat dismal quality level. But not so at Chubby’s.

Situated conveniently near Rex Hospital, Chubby’s could potentially fill up a pregnant mama who is eating for two on the way home from a childbirth class, or start a recent surgery patient on the road to ruin. Either way, there are lots of tasty options on the menu. I ordered the chimichanga with a side of black beans and yellow rice. The chimichanga was a mini version of what I’m used to getting at other places but it was just enough to fill me up, and was filled with some tender stewed beef.

It also came with some chips and access to a salsa bar which I unfortunately didn’t notice until I was done eating.

Hubs ordered the ground beef taco salad which looked abundant.

Friends we ran into also highly recommended the gordita, made up of a pillowy corn bread wrapped around the filling.

What I really liked was the wealth of taco filling options. With options from beef to portobello mushrooms or Ahi Tuna, even our vegetarian friends will be pleased. Chubby’s is a small space but packs in the patrons. Prices were reasonable and food was fresh and tasty. A recommended stop.

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4 out of 5 stars

After an amazing experience at a taqueria in Baltimore I have been looking for authentic Mexican flavors in Raleigh and now I have finally stumbled upon some! Our meal was a little more expensive than what I’ve paid for Mexican in the past, but I did go order crazy! I ordered nachos – they’re standard with white cheese. Then two marinated pork soft tacos and a carne asada chalupa. The chalupa was like a regular taco but filled with some cheese, sour cream, and inside of a cornmeal pancake, like an arepa. The meats were unique, with the pork sporting a bit of a vinegar tang and the steak having a roasted flavor, with crispy chunks. I also enjoyed the soft tortillas, made with real masa. It was way too much food for me, I should have only gotten two items. I also enjoyed swigging my Mexican Coke in a glass bottle, made with real sugar.

According to chowhounds, the posole and the goat chili stew called Birria items are the must-try specialties. And if you’re brave you can try beef head tacos or tripe tacos. If you’re not fluent in Spanish, ask for the English menu so you can know what you’re ordering.

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2 out of 5 stars

Sometimes generic decor and a haphazard paint job are indicative of a hidden gem whose owners dedicate most of their attention to the food. El Dorado is not such an establishment. We checked it out on the advice of a friend who lives right around the corner – she took pity on me because I let Glen order at least once a week from Wang’s Kitchen. Though the food here is cheap, the menu is almost an exact mirror of any other Mexican restaurant in Raleigh. My taquitos arrived next to a bed of shredded lettuce, a slice of tomato, and the smallest dab of guac and sour cream ever. Glen’s taco-less taco salad was a sad, soupy sight to see. The salsa that came with our chips was ok – a bit spicy but not chunky, very thin.

El Dorado Authentic Mexican Restaurant
8111 Creedmoor Rd Ste 161
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 848-0788