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The very first Taco Bell location was no bigger than a two-car garage. It didn’t have indoor seating, it didn’t have a drive-thru, and it certainly didn’t have Doritos Locos Tacos, supreme or otherwise.
It did, however, have several menu items that are nowhere to be found among Taco Bell’s current offerings, including a “chili burger.”
Glen Bell, the chain’s founder, opened his first Taco Bell in Downey, California, in 1962. Bell had previously operated a number of fast-food restaurants throughout the ‘50s — including Bell’s Drive-In and Taco Tia — but he was envisioning something altogether different for Taco Bell. Specifically, he had an idea for a small walk-up taco stand surrounded by “shops, live music and fire pits,” according to Taco Bell.
The resulting restaurant, with its fire pits and a live-performance area in the back, bore little resemblance to the Taco Bells of today. There was also a walk-up window — and only a walk-up window — where customers could order whatever their hearts desired, so long as they desired one of five menu items.
The earliest official Taco Bell menu offered frijoles, tostados, chili burgers, burritos (red or green) and tacos, all for 19 cents apiece. Each of these items stuck around well into the ‘70s, while Bell and his franchisees went about expanding the chain throughout California and beyond.
Of course, there were a few changes along the way. In a photo of the restaurant’s overhead menu circa the early ‘70s, prices had jumped to a whopping 25 cents. “Tostados” also became “tostadas,” and “chili burgers” gave way to “Bellburgers,” which were described as having ground beef, lettuce, tomato and a “famous” Taco Bell sauce.
Many of these items persisted for decades in one form or another, but today only tacos and burritos remain from the first Taco Bell menu, and even those have evolved from their original incarnations.
But not everything has changed. The original Taco Bell restaurant, which closed in 1986, is still intact after being saved from demolition and moved to the Taco Bell headquarters in Irvine, California. (Good luck ordering a chili burger, though.)
FAQs
Instead, the original Taco Bell only offered five items — and unfortunately, some of them are no longer on the menu. The first official Taco Bell menu offered frijoles, tostados, chili burgers, burritos (red or green), and tacos. All of these dishes were sold for only 19 cents apiece when the restaurant first opened.
What did Taco Bell remove from their menu? ›
Taco Bell taking many items off the menu
- Power Bowl (steak chicken, and vegetable options.
- Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito.
- Double Berry Freeze.
According to the Instagram post, the affected items are leaving the menu in order to make room for the new Cantina menu, which will feature new burrito, taco, bowl and quesadilla options, plus a new Avocado Verde Salsa to pair with them, per Food & Wine.
What were the original items on Taco Bell's menu? ›
In contrast, Taco Bell's original menu offered just four Mexican-inspired food items (tacos, burritos, frijoles, and tostadas), as well as one standard American-food option, but with a twist, the chili burger, according to Insider.
Why is Taco Bell getting rid of everything? ›
The Short Answer: Keeping the Menu Fresh and Exciting
Taco Bell believes in keeping their menu vibrant and engaging. Removing items allows them to introduce new, innovative choices that keep customers coming back for more surprises.
What items does Taco Bell not have anymore? ›
Best discontinued Taco Bell items
- The 7-Layer Burrito. ...
- Beefy Crunch Burrito. ...
- Meximelt. ...
- Baja Gordita. ...
- Loaded Grillers. ...
- Nacho Crunch Grilled Stuft Burrito. ...
- The Bell Beefer. ...
- Caramel Apple Empanada.
Taco Bell is apologizing for its breakfast menu. In recent years, it has been littered with questionable foods, such as the Naked Egg Taco or even the Waffle Taco, that have since been discontinued. Turns out, people just want the basics and the chain is finally accepting that.
Why boycott Taco Bell? ›
The boycott began in April 2001 and lasted until March 2005. In addition to agreeing to the one-penny-per-pound wage increase, Taco Bell also agreed to introduce a code of conduct for its growers to ensure “more humane labor standards” according to reporting of the agreement in The Guardian.
What is the number one item sold at Taco Bell? ›
By analyzing Google Trends data from October 2020 to October 2021, apartment group The Waycroft has rounded up the most popular Taco Bell orders based on state. The Crunchwrap Supreme won favor in 70% more states than the second-place Quesarito. The race was hardly tight either.
Why is Taco Bell apologizing for their breakfast menu? ›
Taco Bell hires Pete Davidson to help apologize. Taco Bell is apologizing for its breakfast menu. In recent years, it has been littered with questionable foods, such as the Naked Egg Taco or even the Waffle Taco, that have since been discontinued.
The first Taco Bell logo was relatively simple but bright and colorful. It featured 8 colored blocks printed with white sans-serif capitals spelling “TACO BELL.” The blocks are set at jaunty angles and slightly overlap, creating a bounce effect.
What was Taco Bell originally called? ›
Before Glen Bell created Taco Bell, he started Bell's Drive-In and Taco Tia in the Southern California area. Glen Bell opens his first Taco Bell restaurant in Downey, CA, serving what his customers called "Tay-Kohs". Glen invented the Crunchy Taco to satisfy the hungry mouths of Southern Californians.
What was Taco Bell used to be called? ›
The name underwent several changes, from Taco-Tia through El Taco, before settling on Taco Bell. Glen Bell opened the first Taco Bell in 1962 at 7112 Firestone Boulevard in Downey, California. Currently, there is a Taco Bell location across the street at 7127 Firestone Blvd, in Downey.
What is the new item at Taco Bell in 2024? ›
Taco Bell announced its 2024 menu additions at Live Más Live, its first-ever superfan convention. I attended the Las Vegas event and tasted everything coming to Taco Bell's menu this year. Among the new items are the Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme, Baja Blast pie, and Cantina Chicken items.
Why did Taco Bell fail? ›
But it wasn't just about the food. Taco Bell's struggle was also due to failed branding and misplaced expectations. While its sister chains, KFC and Pizza Hut, enjoyed roaring success with their international brand recognition, Taco Bell lagged, a clear underdog in a race it had barely begun.
Why does Taco Bell keep taking away fries? ›
It's a clever strategy to keep us talking and coming back for more. By making Nacho Fries a “limited-time offer,” Taco Bell makes sure they stay special. This way, when they come back, it feels like a celebration, and everyone rushes to get them before they disappear again.
What are the new Taco Bell changes for 2024? ›
Taco Bell menu ready to expand with new Cantina Chicken burrito, quesadilla, bowl and tacos. Taco Bell is ready to spice up its menu with Cantina Chicken. The Cantina Chicken Menu was among the upcoming menu enhancements the fast-food chain announced at its “Live Más Live” 2024 event last month.
What is Taco Bell bringing back in 2024? ›
Taco Bell announced its 2024 menu additions at Live Más Live, its first-ever superfan convention. I attended the Las Vegas event and tasted everything coming to Taco Bell's menu this year. Among the new items are the Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme, Baja Blast pie, and Cantina Chicken items.
Did Taco Bell get rid of the dollar menu? ›
"Following a successful test at select locations last fall, Taco Bell today announced the nationwide launch of their new $3 or Less Cravings Value Menu starting January 11, 2024," Fast Food Post reported. The new menu replaces the long-running "Cravings Value Menu," which offered items at $1, $2, and $3 price points.
What food item did Taco Bell bring back? ›
The Double Decker Taco Is Back at Taco Bell
The Double Decker originally debuted as a limited-time offer in 1995.
