A chilada from Taco Casa is a delicious Tex-Mex dish consisting of a fried tortilla shell filled with chili, cheese, and other tasty ingredients. Taco Casa, a regional fast food chain located primarily in Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas, has become well-known for its chiladas which offer a unique twist on traditional Tex-Mex favorites like burritos and chimichangas.
What are the Origins of the Chilada?
The origins of the chilada can be traced back to San Antonio, Texas in the 1970s. Several Tex-Mex restaurants in the San Antonio area began experimenting with different ways to serve up chili by stuffing it into tortillas. The result was the creation of the chilada – essentially an amped up version of a burrito filled with zesty chili, gooey cheese, and other Tex-Mex toppings and ingredients. The chilada grew in popularity across Texas through the 1970s and 1980s before being added to the menu at Taco Casa in the 1990s. Since then, it has become one of the signature items on the Taco Casa menu.
What Makes the Taco Casa Chilada Unique?
While you can find chiladas at many Tex-Mex restaurants in Texas, the Taco Casa version stands out for several reasons:
- Taco Casa uses a specially made, extra-large 12-inch tortilla shell to hold all the fillings of their chilada.
- Their chili recipe is a proprietary blend seasoned with signature spices.
- Cheese choices include cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack.
- In addition to chili and cheese, you can customize your chilada with rice, beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, and other ingredients.
- The chiladas are made-to-order so customers can create their perfect combo of flavors.
- Taco Casa chiladas are served with tortilla chips and salsa on the side.
The oversized tortilla shell allows Taco Casa to really load up their chiladas with plenty of chili and cheese to satisfy even the heartiest appetites. And their broad array of customization options means you can craft a chilada to match your personal tastes.
What Are the Ingredients in a Taco Casa Chilada?
A Taco Casa chilada starts with the foundation of a 12-inch flour tortilla shell that is fried until crispy. The tortilla shell is then filled with layers of the following ingredients:
- Chili: The chili is Taco Casa’s special recipe made from a blend of beef and spices. It has a rich, hearty flavor and just the right amount of heat.
- Cheese: Customers can choose to have their chilada filled with cheddar, Monterey jack, or pepper jack cheese. The melted cheese provides added texture and gooiness.
- Rice: Spanish rice can be added to a chilada which provides a mild backdrop to the bolder chili flavors.
- Beans: Refried beans are a traditional Tex-Mex ingredient that add creaminess.
- Pico de Gallo: This fresh salsa made from chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapenos adds a tasty crunch.
- Sour Cream: A cooling dollop of sour cream balances out the spice from the chili.
- Lettuce: Shredded lettuce adds freshness and texture.
- Guacamole: Avocado guacamole can be added for extra creaminess.
The ingredients are wrapped up in the oversized tortilla shell to create a hearty and filling meal-in-one. Customers can also add other toppings like olives, jalapenos, or nacho cheese sauce to customize their chilada.
How Do You Order a Chilada from Taco Casa?
Ordering a chilada from Taco Casa is easy whether you order in-person, online, or via the app:
- First, choose your style of chili: beef, chicken, or veggie.
- Next, pick your cheese: cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack.
- From there, choose any additional toppings like rice, beans, pico, guacamole, etc.
- Determine your spice-level preference: mild, medium, or hot.
- Choose any extra add-ons like chips, queso, or cinnamon twists.
- Order an appetizing drink like horchata or jarritos.
One of the best qualities of a Taco Casa chilada is how customizable they are to match your preferences. There are so many possible ingredient combinations!
What Are Some Popular Ways to Customize a Taco Casa Chilada?
While the basic construction of a Taco Casa chilada starts with a tortilla, chili, and cheese, customers have come up with endless ways to customize their orders. Here are some of the most popular chilada customizations:
- Supreme Chilada – Includes rice, beans, lettuce, pico, sour cream, and guacamole.
- Fajita Chilada – Filled with sauteed peppers and onions in addition to regular toppings.
- Chipotle Chilada – Smoky chipotle chili and pepper jack cheese provide extra heat.
- Wet Chilada – Topped with extra queso sauce or chili gravy over the top.
- Loaded Potato Chilada – Filled with seasoned ground beef, potatoes, bacon, and all the fixings.
- Shredded Chicken Chilada – Uses extra juicy shredded chicken in place of ground beef.
The variety of flavors and textures you can create in a chilada is virtually endless. The Taco Casa menu provides a great blueprint, but customers are free to conjure up their own signature creations.
What Sides and Drinks Go Well with a Chilada?
To round out your Taco Casa chilada meal, customers have several tasty sides and drinks to choose from including:
Sides
- Tortilla chips and salsa
- Queso dip
- Refried beans
- Spanish rice
- Cinnamon twists
Drinks
- Iced tea or soda
- Aguas frescas like horchata, jamaica, or tamarindo
- Jarritos fruit-flavored soda
Pairing your chilada with traditional Tex-Mex sides like tortilla chips and queso is always a smart move. And be sure to wash it all down with a refreshing agua fresca! The combination of a juicy chilada, crispy chips and salsa, and a sweet horchata makes for a complete and satisfying Taco Casa dining experience.
Nutrition Information on the Taco Casa Chilada
Like most hearty Tex-Mex dishes, the chilada is fairly high in calories, carbs, and sodium. However, the specific nutrition facts will vary greatly depending on the exact ingredients and toppings you select. Here is the approximate nutrition information for a basic Taco Casa chilada made with beef, cheddar cheese, rice, beans, lettuce, and pico:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 850 |
| Total Fat | 37g |
| Saturated Fat | 15g |
| Sodium | 1800mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 92g |
| Dietary Fiber | 8g |
| Protein | 39g |
Customers looking for healthier options can request items like chicken instead of beef, extra veggies, and avoiding heavy additions like sour cream. Despite its indulgent flavors, the chilada can be part of a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation and customized to your nutritional needs.
What Are Customer Opinions on the Taco Casa Chilada?
Reviews of the Taco Casa chilada are overwhelmingly positive. Customers praise the ample portions, bold flavors, and endlessly customizable options. Here are some direct quotes from Yelp reviews:
“The chilada is hands down my favorite thing at Taco Casa. I always get mine with beef, pepper jack, rice, refried beans, pico, and guac. It’s basically a burrito on steroids. So many amazing textures and flavors in every bite!”
“I’ve probably tried every combination of toppings you can imagine in my chiladas. Whether you go classic or totally loaded, you really can’t go wrong with the chilada.”
“I’m so glad I gave the chilada a try. It’s now my go-to order. Love the crispiness of the fried tortilla shell combined with the richness of the fillings. The chili has the perfect amount of spice too. 10/10 would recommend!”
It’s clear from customer reactions that the chilada really hits the spot in terms of satisfaction. People love the combination of flavors and textures as well as the ability to customize with your choice of ingredients. For many Tex-Mex fans in the regions where Taco Casa operates, it’s their favorite menu item.
How Does the Chilada Compare to Other Taco Casa Menu Items?
While the chilada may be the most popular item, the full Taco Casa menu offers plenty more tasty Tex-Mex options. Here’s how the chilada stacks up against some other menu highlights:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Chilada | Fried tortilla shell stuffed with layers of chili, cheese, rice, beans, etc. |
| Burrito | Flour tortilla wrapped around chili, beans, cheese, lettuce, pico, etc. |
| Tacos | Two hard or soft shell tacos with choice of filling like ground beef or chicken. |
| Quesadillas | Grilled flour tortillas filled with cheese and other ingredients. |
| Nachos | Tortilla chips topped with chili, beans, queso, jalapenos, pico, etc. |
| Chips & Queso | Crispy tortilla chips served with creamy queso dipping sauce. |
While all the items are delicious in their own right, the chilada stands apart for its over-the-top size and customization options. It’s really in a league of its own on the menu. The other items make great accompaniments to enjoy alongside the star of the show – the chilada!
Tips for First-Timers Eating at Taco Casa
For those making their first visit to enjoy the famous chilada, here are some helpful tips to get the most out of the Taco Casa experience:
- Come hungry – portions are very generous so don’t be afraid to order a chilada for yourself.
- Ask for extra tortilla chips and salsa – the complementary chips and salsa have bottomless refills.
- Don’t be overwhelmed by the many options – start with classic chilada toppings you enjoy and go from there.
- Feel free to customize – make your perfect chilada with your favorite flavors.
- Pair it with a drink like horchata or jarritos.
- If you can’t finish your meal, take home leftovers since chiladas reheat very well.
- Save room for cinnamon twists for a sweet ending!
By coming with an open mind and appetite, first-time visitors can really make the most of their inaugural Taco Casa chilada experience and begin a beautiful friendship with their new go-to Tex-Mex indulgence.
Where Can You Find a Taco Casa Location?
Taco Casa currently has over 140 locations throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. Most locations are concentrated in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Wichita, and Northwest Arkansas metro areas. You can find your nearest Taco Casa by visiting their website and using the store locator tool.
Some major cities and regions with multiple convenient Taco Casa locations include:
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
- Oklahoma City, OK metro
- Tulsa, OK
- Wichita, KS
- Northwest Arkansas
- Lawton, OK
- Abilene, TX
- Lubbock, TX
- Joplin, MO
In addition to dine-in locations, some Taco Casa outposts offer drive-thru service for quick and easy access to chilada cravings on the go. So wherever you are in the Lone Star State or surrounding regions, you’re likely not far from an outlet ready to serve your chilada needs.
Conclusion
For Tex-Mex devotees in the regions where Taco Casa operates, biting into a piping hot chilada is a taste of fast food paradise. This overstuffed fried tortilla shell filled with chili, cheese, rice, beans, and your choice of custom toppings provides the ultimate indulgence in comfort food flavors. Taco Casa has perfected the chilada over decades and made it a staple menu item with endless customization possibilities to suit any preferences. With its generous portions, craveworthy chili recipe, and sides like chips and queso, the chilada is the crown jewel of the Taco Casa menu. So next time you’re in the mood for a casual Tex-Mex feast, stop by your local Taco Casa and discover why the chilada reigns supreme.