“I wonder if tacos think about me too …”
That saying is on the back of employees’ T-shirts at Jefa Tacos in Aurora, and it makes you think. About tacos.
Owners Marlene Ocampo-Peña and Esteban Peña put a lot of thought into their restaurant, from its opening date — Sept. 16, 2018, Mexican Independence Day — to its name: “jefa” translates to “girl boss.”
“I liked the idea of ‘girl boss tacos,’ the female version of boss,” Ocampo-Peña said. Although this is the first restaurant that she and her husband own, she has a lot of experience as manager of her family’s business, Supermercado Tampico in West Chicago.
“My mom and dad started it and my sisters and I run it,” Ocampo-Peña said. “My mom is the best cook that I know and some recipes come from her and some are from myself.”
Jefa Tacos is known for its tacos, especially the fish and Jefa tacos. “We use skirt steak that we season and grill in house,” she said. “The Jefa Taco is the favorite of everyone.”
What makes Jefa Tacos different, Ocampo-Peña said, is that its cuisine is modern Mexican. “It’s a different, fun kind of atmosphere. We don’t cut corners. Everything is fresh. You can get tacos at another restaurant, but you don’t get our quality.”
Specialty tacos include a fajita veggie taco and breakfast taco, plus the popular Jefa Taco. Six other tacos are offered: asada, al pastor, tinga de pollo, chorizo, picadilla and barbacoa.
In addition to bottled Jarritos soda and fountain drinks, Jefa Tacos also offers non-alcoholic aqua de horchata and aqua de Jamaica.
Ocampo-Peña said she learned the art of customer service from her family’s more than 30 years of experience in the food business: “How to take care of customers, knowing what customers want and how Hispanic food is prepared from the back end to customer service.”
Ocampo-Peña said with one location, she would like to see Jefa Tacos grow. “I’ve lived in Aurora for over 10 years and it’s a community that we love and want to be in.”
On the menu: Tacos, of course — along with tortas, burritos, quesadillas, taco salad, flautas, fajitas and enchiladas.
Décor: Piñatas hang down from the ceiling. One wall features a large mural featuring a sugar skull, colorful robes and a fiery sunburst halo. Ocampo-Peña said it was painted by a tattoo artist friend.
Price range: Tacos are $2.50 each and $7 and $9.50 for taco plates. Specialty tacos are $2.65 and $2.95. Tortas from $7.95 to $9.95 for a dinner plate. Burritos from $5.55 to $9.85. Quesadillas from $6.10 to $9.75. Platters from $9.25 to $13.65. Fajitas from $10.65 to $13.65. Taco salad is $8.95. Sides from $75 cents to $6.50. Kids’ menu from $4 to $5.95. Desserts from $4.35 to $6. Drinks from $1.89 to $3. Beer also available.
Logistics: Jefa Tacos is at 1555 Butterfield Road, Suite 107, Aurora. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Contact 630-229-6497 or jefatacos.com/.
Shonda Talerico Dudlicek is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.
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