But if my defense of Taco Bell is based on the notion that a sub-buck burrito is going to come with a certain degree of mystery and modified corn starch, what's to be made of the new Triple Steak Stack? This baby costs $4.99, making it one of the more expensive standalone items on the fast food market. More
The last time I ate a burrito from Taco Bell was not a pleasant experience. But I steeled my stomach and headed in to try their new Beefy Crunch Burrito. Fritos in a burrito—I feel like Taco Bell stole my third-grade sandwich technique. More
It seems as though flatbread is the fast-food ingredient of the hour. Dunkin' Donuts has long been promoting its egg white flatbread sandwich, and Subway began offering their sandwiches (breakfast and otherwise) on flatbreads as well. Now joining the list, Taco Bell recently introduced its Grilled Chicken Flatbread Sandwich. As I'd thought their Cantina Tacos a successful release, I was intrigued by the new offering—even a bit excited. More
When I heard about Taco Bell's limited-time offer of Cantina Tacos, in classic taqueria style, I was intrigued. The promotional photos looked nearly identical to tacos I devoured from a truck in California—still, to this day, my taco ideal. Whatever meat you choose is cradled in a double-wrap of corn tortillas, with diced onions, cilantro, and lime. How did they stack up? More
Glen Bell, 1923–2010. [Photograph: Earth Times] Taco Bell founder Glen Bell died yesterday. He was 86. From at YUM Brands press release: Bell's Drive-In first served a menu with hamburgers and hot dogs to its customers. However, Bell soon decided to differentiate his menu by adding Mexican fare.... Once he perfected his taco shell recipe, taco sauces and the convenient drive-thru concept, he was ready to introduce the tastes and textures of Mexican food to mainstream America. Interesting to note, Bell founded a model produce farm and park called Bell Gardens that "provided educational programs that stressed the importance of agriculture and how to preserve our natural resources." [via @SamSifton]... More
Photograph from Tavallai on Flickr The magicians at fast-food chains come up with all sorts of edible creations--each one a little less likely than the last. The San Francisco Weekly lists ten of the world's weirdest, including the White Castle "chicken ring," a Tuna Pie (erk) at Jollibee in the Philippines, and Pita Snacks from Jack in the Box. But are these really the strangest ones out there? I think Domino's Bread Bowl Pasta definitely qualifies. The Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme, too. And there's always McD's--looking beyond our own borders, McDonald's in Hong Kong has served seaweed-flavored French fries; New Zealand, a Quarter Pounder topped with egg and beetroot; and in the Philippines, sweet tomato pasta with hot dogs... More
On The Onion’s morning news show video spoof “Today Now,” there’s a feature on Taco Bell’s new “100% Green Menu.” What makes it all green, you ask? None of the ingredients are taken from nature—so there’s zero environmental impact! “After all,” the fast food rep reminds us, “at Taco Bell, we have a long tradition of taking as little as possible from the natural world!” The video, after the jump.... More
Note: I got to visit the Taco Bell headquarters in Irvine, California, this week, hence all of this impressive knowledge. "It is true. I am back." First introduced last September, the Volcano Taco appeared on Taco Bell's menu for only three months. Whether it was the red crunchy taco shell (just the normal one with artificial dyes) or the spicy orange goop (which goes by "Lava Sauce") or the limited-time-only appeal, people were into it. Really into it. When it disappeared from menus, Facebook groups formed with folks acting like it was the fast-food apocalypse--even worse than when the Crazy Gordita Crunch left us. Thankfully, all the members of "I Refuse to Go to Taco Bell Until They Bring Back... More
The fast food drive-thru rap is so last year. Leave it to the musical comedy duo Rhett and Link to usher in the trend of 2009: the drive-thru folk song! ...Maybe? Here they place their order at Taco Bell in the form of a one and a half-minute song that the Taco Bell employee miraculously understands (my favorite item: "two taco salads for the ladies"). If you don't mind that the video has a Baja Blast tie-in, it's pretty entertaining. Watch the video after the jump.... More
Illinois couple Paul and Caragh Brooks were married Friday evening at Taco Bell. Wedding favors included Taco Bell hot-sauce packets that read "Will you marry me?" Said Paul Brooks: "We're a little bit of an offbeat couple, so we figured that we wanted to have an offbeat ceremony, and Taco Bell is the closest thing we have to a church, so ... this is where we like to hang out; this is where we wanted to do it." Video, after the jump.... More
