# Hard or Soft Shells are equally valid for Tacos, Fuck your "Only soft shells are Authentic" bullshit **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 26, 2022, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249 "2022-09-26T10:49:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/181 "2024-06-10T11:24:15Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Some judge ruled in some specific case tacos were a sandwich. Baah. Why should we listen to any judge who is clearly ignorant of [the standard guideline for what is a sandwich](https://cuberule.com/). ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/182 "2024-06-10T13:03:15Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > IMHO, soft shelled tacos are really just small burritos. burritoitos? ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/183 "2024-06-10T13:14:47Z")
The hard shells ( corn) taste better. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/184 "2024-06-10T13:23:35Z")
I recently saw a meme regarding shells and “street tacos”, claiming soft shells are not valid for that purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/185 "2024-06-10T13:29:42Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > I recently saw a meme regarding shells and “street tacos”, claiming soft shells are not valid for that purpose . Am I being wooshed? Every single one of the 15,145 street tacos I’ve eaten in my lifetime have been on soft corn tortillas. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/186 "2024-06-10T13:35:25Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > I’d also want to get the smallest sour cream container as I could because it can’t last forever even in a fairly cool place I’ve had Daisy brand sold in a squeeze-tube type (instead of a tub) and it lasts much longer since the surface isn’t exposed to air. Or try to find a restaurant supply for those single-serving tubes! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/187 "2024-06-10T13:59:23Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Am I being wooshed? Only if we both are. I can’t seem to find the image but it was definitely about street tacos featuring two flour tortillas and two hard shell corn tortillas; the former were crossed out. Soft shell corn tortillas weren’t present. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/188 "2024-06-10T15:58:27Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Am I being wooshed? Every single one of the 15,145 street tacos I’ve eaten in my lifetime have been on soft corn tortillas. No true taco. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_McQwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@Steve\_McQwark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_McQwark)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/189 "2024-06-10T17:36:09Z")
Haggis tacos. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/190 "2024-06-10T17:41:54Z")
I’m surprised hamburger didn’t enter that taxonomy. I’m true neutral according to that, but while I understand why some people are reluctant to call a hot dog a sandwich, I don’t get those who don’t call a burger one. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/191 "2024-06-10T17:49:31Z")
Hah. Just ate two tacos. One hard shell. One soft. I like 'em hard. Yep, hard. 🤭 ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/192 "2024-06-10T17:53:18Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I’m surprised hamburger didn’t enter that taxonomy. The examples aren’t exhaustive. A burger obviously _is_ a sandwich under Cube Rule classification, so they didn’t need to call it out specifically. Unless it’s a Big Mac, in which case it’s a cake. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/193 "2024-06-10T19:13:22Z")
I find it weird that people call them “shells”. When and where did that start? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/194 "2024-06-10T20:17:35Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Unless it’s a Big Mac, in which case it’s a cake. Mmmmm, savory meat cake. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/195 "2024-06-10T20:37:59Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > > [@Skywatcher](#): > > > > I recently saw a meme regarding shells and “street tacos”, claiming soft shells are not valid for that purpose . > > Am I being wooshed? Every single one of the 15,145 street tacos I’ve eaten in my lifetime have been on soft corn tortillas. The meme has a point. Unfried corn tortillas won’t hold the shape we generally associate with a taco shell, and so shouldn’t be designated as shells at all. Which might lead one to conclude that there’s no such thing as a soft taco shell. But _au contraire_! Prepackaged taco shells can and do go stale, which leaves them soft. _AND_ unsuitable for tacos of any sort. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/196 "2024-06-10T20:46:02Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > I find it weird that people call them “shells”. When and where did that start? [At the supermarket?](https://primecutny.com/cdn/shop/products/image_e0a4d6e3-c128-4ba7-904c-7b30fd7cbbf3_1296x.jpg?v=1539291826) ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/197 "2024-06-10T20:50:46Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > I find it weird that people call them “shells”. When and where did that start? How are they _not_ shells? They’re hard, they’re breakable, and they’re on the outside. If eggshells are shells and clamshells are shells, then taco shells are also shells. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/198 "2024-06-10T20:53:10Z")
I think @Chingon is asking about _soft_ “shells.” ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/199 "2024-06-10T20:53:52Z")
All of the corn tortilla tacos I’ve ever had from actual Mexican taco joints have been soft, pliable and tasty. And yes, brittle compared to flour tortillas. The only shells I’ve ever experienced were Taco Bell crunchy tacos, or Old El Paso or Ortega shells used at home. ETA: Way back in the '80s I think Chi-Chi’s also had a crunchy shell version. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/200 "2024-06-10T20:57:31Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Mmmmm, savory meat cake. Could be meat, could be cake. Usually, at a time like that, I’ll bluff. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249.md?page=11)