Just 'cause you don't like hard shell tacos doesn't mean they ain't real tacos.
Mind you, I much prefer a good ol' burrito anyhow.
They aren't. Real hard-shell tacos are fried *after* filling (and sealed), and are then softened with another liquidish food on a plate. The only authentic dish with pre-fried shells I know of are tostadas, which are flat.
Not to mention that the hard taco shells are absolute ass for filling with anything even remotely authentic. They're used in Taco Bell &c. because they're fast, cheap, and easy, especially when combined with cheap shredded cheese and ground beef.