If you aren’t from Southern California, or haven’t spent some time here, there’s a damn good chance you don’t know what Del Taco is. But trust me, once you’ve come face to face with the Del, you will never go back to the Bell.
Now, normally this is one of those painfully-obvious things that you don’t even bother to write about. I mean, as anyone who has tried Del Taco can testify–comparing the two is essentially like trying to compare In-N-Out to McDonalds; one is a delectable guilty pleasure, while the other has about a 50/50 chance of making you ill. So there’s just not much need to get into extended explorations of why Del rules and why the Bell sucks.
But, whenever I am forced, due to time and/or geographical constraints coming into conflict with a taco craving, to sample the offerings from Taco Bell, I instantly feel compelled to say something, if for no other reason than to help wandering souls to avoid the perils of Taco Bell and their Purina-grade meat, in favor of the deliciousness that is Del.
Today at lunch, because I didn’t have much time, I was forced to visit the Taco Bell downstairs in the building, rather than take the drive to Del Taco a few minutes away. So, I decided I’d go with a Bean Burrito and a Quesadilla….can’t get much safer than that, right?
Oh, how sadly mistaken I was. You see, unlike Del Taco, which offers two different sizes (and flavors) of bean & cheese burrito, for under 99 cents, Taco Bell has just one option, unappealingly labeled ‘Bean Burrito’ on the menu. They do put cheese in it, but for some reason they don’t feel comfortable putting ‘& Cheese’ in the title, which goes against pretty much every Mexican and faux-Mexican restaurant I’ve ever eaten at. Of course, as soon as I took a bite of this monstrosity, I started to understand why. Chances are the good people at the Cheese Advisory Board, upon trying Taco Bell’s so-called ‘cheese’, probably asked that any reference to their product be stricken from the menu. And who could blame them–Taco Bell’s Bean Burrito tastes not unlike a prop from a fraternity hazing ritual. And with each bite I found myself flashing back the college days when dip spit was unfortunately often-times on the menu.
After two bites of the wretched Bean Burrito, I decided to move on to the Quesadilla.
The Taco Bell quesadilla is the one menu item that I thought I could remember a decent experience with. However, apparently since the time I had a decent Taco Bell quesadilla experience, they’ve changed up the recipe some. Now, instead of simply serving me a grilled tortilla with cheese and some green sauce, they gave me some sort of gooey mess, with a heaping helping of a creamy orange sauce slathered all over the inside. Now, I don’t know if this is some sort of chipotle sauce, or if they just mixed mayonnaise and hot sauce; what I do know is, a quesadilla does not need any sort of cream sauce added to it. What, did Taco Bell think it wasn’t fatty enough? Were there no spices that didn’t have a milky base that might be added to bring some zest to this thing? Whatever the story is, the creamy surprise in the Quesadilla was not a good thing. But of course, since I had tossed the dip spit burrito, I had to try and choke down a few bites of the quesadilla.
Which leads me to a side note–is one reason why fast food is so unhealthy that no one can ever stand to chew it up properly? I mean, I’m sure I got sick from this food, if not from the contents, simply from scarfing it down to keep myself unaware of its true taste/consistency.
After this heinous Taco Bell experience, I can assure you, no taco craving will be great enough to get me to make another run to the border.
But one thing is for sure—I could sure use a 99 cent bean & cheese burrito with green sauce from Del Taco to wash the Bell out.
[This post ardently supports Del Taco, and you should too.]
54 Comments
thats some deft writing on Mexican QSR. of course, i prefer the leader of Mexican Fast Casual–Baja Fresh. look out for the return of the Torta, and a more simplified menu…
I agree with you 110% Anyone who has eaten the Del late night knows it is a bit hearty, but at least it’s real. taco Bell, “tco hell,” will put you on a toilet seat for the following 24-48 hrs depending on how tore up your intestines were previous to this meal. Being that I went to High School in Southern California I’ve been anointed with the Dell knowledge, let us all make sure we spread the gospel, that cheese isn’t from plastic, and Tacos never came from a bell!
I agree that del taco is far superior to Taco Bell. I grew up eating there. Now I am faced with a terrible fate. I have moved to Canada and the only thing they have is taco bell. I just wish I could import the hot suace.
Ouch….well, maybe we can export some just for you (and any other Del Taco loyalists north-of-the border)
Viva Del Taco!
delltaco sucks it cost way to frickin much for what u get. Taco bell is so much better because of the prices and the quntity value. The delltaco sauce taste like Ketchup with some seasoning. They also sell hamburgers witch is not like any taco shop.
i like del taco more than taco bell. i do not like taco bell it makes me sick even thinking about it.
i hate both its all about in in out baby
i ‘gree wive this. del taco ’s far better ‘han taco bell
Well… where to start
first off quesadillas have a jalapeno sauce that is not made from mayo or milk because all the dairy infused products must be refrigerated, jalapeno sauce is not refrigerated.
second off where do you get del taco i live in ohio & taco bell sux i need me something better than tOxIc HeLl
hehe
Wow. I just tried Del Taco. What a mistake. They have this “Macho Burrito”. Four freakin’ bucks plus tax, just for one burrito… I’m thinkin’ ‘this has to be one big ass burrito’. I swear to God the thing must have been 4 or 5 ounces. A freakin’ joke. I could have bought 5 double cheeseburgers at Burger King or 3 Jumbo Jacks at Jack in the Box, or 3 six ounce burritos off the value menu at Taco Bell… To top it off, the thing was mostly lettuce and cheese… which wasn’t even melted… the thing was cold like they took it out of the fridge… they could have thrown it in the microwave. I also got chili fries for $2.50 or something. I swear these was more food in there than in the four dollar burrito. Once again, I have chili fries (which are supposed to be hot, duh) cold like they they just got thawed out of the freezer. Not to mention it tasted like ass. I’m never going there again.
I would have to agree with you, Del Taco IS CONSIDERABLY better than Taco Bell (TB). I found your site, by trying to do a search on “Del Taco Seasoning Recipe”. You see, I live in Georgia, and we had Del Tacos everywhere when I moved here in 1982–and they were the preferred taco chain by everyone. Then, they all “mysteriously” became TBs & disappeared. About 5 years ago, I saw one or two start to re-open inside of Mrs. Winners (fast-food chicken), just like TB sometimes opens inside of KFCs. Then, about a year or 2 ago, AGAIN, they all disappeared & reverted back to strictly Mrs. Winners. I can only assume that TB has paid for some kind of Monopolizing agreement with them to stay out of Georgia. It really saddens me, because I know the flavor & can no longer get it. I’ve tried several of the taco seasoning recipes I’ve found online, but most of them are closer in taste to the TB variety (which I still prefer to make at home over going to TB, using my own beef, since I know, like with Del Taco, it’s real beef and I’m not really sure what slop/part of the cow TB uses that it calls “beef”). I really wish I could find a good recipe to substitute & make at home to get that flavor (as well as ones for their red sauce & their hot sauces). As for your previous poster, I don’t know which Del Taco he went to, because I tried the Macho Burrito–one time only. I got it to go, and when I got home it was so heavy that I just had to weigh it on my food scale. I weighed in at a hefty 1.04lbs! I could only eat half of it, but the mix of flavors was awesome! The only reason I never got it again, was that I did not want to waste half or take the time to reheat it the best way-in the oven (would take to long for my impatient self). Who knows, if I’m lucky–maybe someday, I’ll find the recipes and/or they’ll return to the Atlanta market.
Hi
I and my wife went to Del Taco last month. And we wanted to buy $1.39 Taco Del Carbon. When we got our food I checked around that if this is a camera effect, because they were extremely small. But later they gave us a microscope then my anger passed. I advised them that “instead of giving microscope to every customer you can make those Taco Del Carbon bigger so that your expenses will be less. But they got me wrong and they made foods smaller and they brought a space telescope. This is how dumb they are.
dell is sometimes good - quality control is … not there. the bell is almost always the same. and the macho burrito blows.
Del Taco rules, hell taco, adios taco (bueno) taco cabano, all sux!! I have lived in Cali almost all my life except my time being away as I am in the Army now 4 10 years. I am currently in Iraq until October, and I cant wait to get back to my Del menu. The base we are on actually has a taco hell, and usually once a month, I force myself to eat the regular tacos, but its not the same. If anyone actually has the chance, say on the way to Vegas stop in Barstow, CA, as it it is home of Del Taco (there are three in the area.) The prices on the menu will be higher but the portions are bigger, and there are items on the menu that had disappeared at most of the chains, such as Tostadas. The tacos there have tomatos, are full and will get you full very fast. I have to add this who cares about in-n-out, get a menu:
greasy fries, raw burgers ummmmhuuummmh…not (I cant diss on the shakes.)This is a constant arguement with my friends who are from Cali it’s love or hate with in n out. Taco Bell isn’t in the same league…
You must have really done your taste buds in from eating too much fast food lol-Dell Taco beans have no flavor at all-the taco shells are expired grocery store boxed corn shells and the service is inconsistant-from one store to the next-but i must say-the crinkle fries(if they even have them were you live) are tasty-comparing TACO BELL AND DELL TACO -is like comparing BEVERLY HILLS TO COMPTON-one is a successful food chain and the other is a place where young kids go after a rave -cuz its the only thing open with stuff under a buck
YES!!!! i was so sad when i moved up to damn Washington, because the nearest Del Taco was 3 hours away…… i almost cried…… But now i’m back in Barstow… the best place to get Del Taco!!!
You should contact Taco Bell like I did and ask them to stop re-heating, re-fining and re-inventing the damn food! The stuff tastes like microwave food and every single damn thing on the menu arrives to the restaurant pre-cooked and in heat and serve baggies! Nothing is made fresh!… That’s why people get sick. Get rid of all the stupid schlocky colors and just serve a fresh seasoned ground beef taco with real MEAT, refried beans that don’t come powdered in a mix, and you may have a goldmine. I hope they listen and go back to the days when Naugles was still around! BTW, Del taco rips the bell a new one fer sure!
taco bell is better and del taco taste like $@it
i think both places are bomb and this article aint true
I am a Minnesotan who went to L.A./Orange County on a business trip in September and discovered Del Taco. Now, I crave it every time I go out for fast food! Open a Del Taco on the frozen tundra! We need delicious fish tacos to get us through the winter!
Del Taco is so much better than Taco Bell. Where do I start? First, I will not eat at Taco Bell anymore. Taco Bell is not the same restaurant that it was 20 years ago. Taco Bell used to make their beans fresh everyday. Today they are a power mix. Dell Taco makes their beans fresh everyday still. Their meat is the worst quality of meat you can find. I have got that information from several high up taco bell employees. Dell taco has way better quality of meat and their lettuce, tomatoes and cheese are fresh. Their taco shells actually taste like authentic taco shells. Their nothing like Taco Bell’s store 99 cent store bought shells. Del Taco’s chicken and steak taste way better too. They also offer an awesome variety off food. Not only is the mexican food awesome, but the burgers are awesome too. They only are second best to IN-N-OUT. They have pretty good shakes too. I live in Arizona. Every summer I always looked forward to IN-N-OUT, Del Taco, and Bakers. Well we have IN-N-OUT and Del Taco. I am just waiting for Bakers to come over from California too. Del Taco Rules.
I’ve never had Del Taco ( I live in Ohio ) But I do work at Taco Bell. I’ts really sad to see so many websites that pick on it. I am too discouraged by the number of unqualified and down-right stupid people they hire, but its not my fault. The restaurants are actually very clean (Contrary to popular belief) and there is no such thing as Grade D meat. Please do some research before you refer to it as such. Yes the beans are prepared dry and then are cooked in hot water. Pretty much the same thing youd get anywhere(Unless you grow them yourself they were dry at some point). Also, pretty much everything does come in sealed bags that are heated to a safe temperature. But thats to maintain a high level of consistency from restaurant to restaurant. Unfortunately we live in a society that wants everything NOW. We deal with people everyday that want 30 bucks worth of food in 30 seconds and its a shame. And as they say… You get what you pay for. If you have time to get on a website and write an essay about how much taco bell sucks, you have time to cook your own meal. I apologize for being so harsh, but I love my job and all the wonderful people I work with. =o)
Agreed. Del Taco tastes better than Taco Bell. Want to know why?
Plastic. Cost saving processes have replaced traditional preperation with plastic everything. Del Taco heats up your beans, beef, chicken, and sauces in regular plastic bags past 165 degrees, slightly flavoring your food with that great savory plastic taste.
Jack in the Box and others have caught on to the plastic phenomenon, which is why their carbonated drinks taste great. Phosphoric acid found in these drinks disolve the cheap (white) plastic. What about Iced Tea? It to is brewed in plastic, stored in plastic, served in your cheap plastic cup, and is topped off with their unique Blue colored plastic straw.
I HEART DEL TACO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HGAH
Like two other previous posters, I also live in Ohio however this does not stop me from patronizing Del Taco. I had been keeping close tabs on the franchise development map on Del Taco’s website always looking for one that is going to be close by. Within two weeks of the Dearborn Heights, Michigan store opening, I was there for my first Del Taco experience. I was not let down. Yes, they do have hamburgers and I have yet to try one but I feel this is a good thing as if you’re in a group and not everyone likes tacos, hamburgers are a good standby. Let’s not forget that Taco Bell back in the day had hamburgers as well! A TB employee on here was saying you get what you pay for. What makes those of us who have experienced Del Taco so opposed to TB is that we can pay the same price, wait the same amount of time and get much better quality and selection at Del Taco than TB. TB is okay and I do visit them probably a couple times a month at least for my usual 7 layer burrito and whatever else I feel like that day, but if I had a Del Taco closer to me, there’s no question which one I’d visit more often. There’s a reason why Del Taco is the fastest growing Mexican QSR brand in the country. Looking at their development map again I see that Ohio is now open for franchising deals. The family that opened the first Del Taco in Michigan has now opened two more in the Detroit area. Maybe they’ll expand down to the Toledo and Cleveland markets. One can only hope!
Oh, and the Georgia person, I KNEW I saw there was Del Tacos in GA! I always wondered what happened. A few years ago, the Del Taco webpage still showed a store in St. Simons Island, Georgia and I found it awful strange that there was just that one store there without another for 1,000 miles and the franchise development map showed that they weren’t accepting development applications from Georgia at the time. I’d really like to hear more detail on the story behind that some time!
I’m from Georgia also and remember eating Del Taco as a kid before they all disappeared. I just read news that they’re expanding to Memphis, TN so hopefully they’ll come back to Georgia soon.
I worked at Del Taco (in HS) in 1979 during the grand expansion period. Back when Minimum wage was 2.90, you got 5 cents an hour more for each station you could work correctly. Whoo HOO, I learned them all and made 3.20! Currently it’s a Pizza Inn, b4 that it was a DQ for a while. I lament the death of the last one in GA on SSI. I got a week’s salary plus another week severance for skipping school and moving the stores stuff to Waycross GA. Del Taco did OK by me as a kid.
del tacos the best and taco bell sucks no restraunt can beat del taco
You can report bad taco bell foor or service here: http://runfromtheborder.com
Taco bell has nothing on DELL TACO
taco bell has the worst meat and their
sauce packs have no flaveor thus proveing
that im big in my pants
Main thing is, although I’ve never had Del Taco ( I did spend 14 years in Southern CA but we didn’t get fast food much and when we did we went to Burger King or McDonalds) but in general, I think it comes down to personal taste and the locations visisted. I eat at Taco Bell and it’s quite good around here, don’t know about other places. Never had an issue with it upsetting my stomach and the cheese I’ve had with them is as real as you’ll get at any fast food place. Also, and this is nothing to do with the actual review but just a logistics of a particular comment you made. Your very first sentence is “If you aren’t from Southern California, or haven’t spent some time here, there’s a damn good chance you don’t know what Del Taco is” This implies that you expect (and want to educate) readers from outside Southern CA. Howevre later you state the following: “I mean, as anyone who has tried Del Taco can testify–comparing the two is essentially like trying to compare In-N-Out to McDonalds; one is a delectable guilty pleasure, while the other has about a 50/50 chance of making you ill.” That anagoly is useless to 47 of the 50 states seeing as In and Out only exists in California, Nevada, and Arizona-with Nevada only haveing 4 towns/cities with Vegas the only one with multiples it doesn’t count for much. If you want to convey the point to people outside these areas you’re going to need a new analogy
del taco is greatthier cheese is fresh everyday not in bags and have great shreeded beef burritos.great service
Del Taco ROCKS TACO BELL SCHLOCKS!
Well I’ve never been to Del Taco but I love Taco Bell and they were founded by the same man~Hello.
Just noticed for the past month a Del Taco is being build right in my hometown (Toledo, OH). I can’t wait to check them out when they open!
Del Taco wins hands-down! They have the BEST tacos and burritos in the American-wanna-be-Mexican-food category and their Del Scorcho sauce not only lights up my mouth with spices, it lights up my life with happiness. The Green burritos are my all-time favorite menu item, they have the perfect balance of complimentary flavors and unlike Taco Bell, Del actually put cheese, real cheese in their burritos. I refuse to eat at Taco Bel as I’ve had my last straw in giving them chances with my business. In the past when a circumstance forced me to endure a Taco Bell meal, I would be lucky to find a single shred of cheese in their burritos (and their beans really do need some other component to mask their flavor)! But alas, Taco Bell’s hot sauce doesn’t even achieve this, sadly.
Del Taco not only makes the best tacos and burritos, but their hamburgers and crinkle-cut french fries are to die for and far better than any hamburger chain.
Long live the Del!
Ga resident here and i miss del taco,,, the one near me back in the 80’s even served dos xx beer to go with my chimichanga… anyhow the best mexican restaurant in atlanta or athens Ga is “the taco stand” which originated as a 4 x 4 shack outdoors on the square in athens (UGA) Ga.
http://www.thetacostand.com/
Del Taco is awesome. Don’t forget about the fries!
Del Taco kills taco bell. I call Del Taco “ethnic fast food”. It is fast food and more. I used to drive to a Del Taco in Dearborn Heights, MI whenever I would visit Detroit. We would stop there and I would always order extra spicy jack quesadillas, so I could eat them at home also. I first experienced Del Taco when I went to California and sometimes we would eat that multiple times a day, because there were so many and it was so good. I will create a membership card to Del Taco for myself because it is just so fantastic.
as an east coaster only familiar with TB until this past summer, i must say DT is a step up. however, i don’t think i’d go as far as the in&out to mcDonalds comparison.
the fact that i was able to order a fish taco there should be a testament to DT’s un-skeeveiness as a brand [i would never test such an item at TB.]
but i have a serious question . . . what about el pollo loco?
Del Taco is now open in Toledo!!! The address is 3348 Secor Rd.
See you there! Taco on!
I think Del is obviously way better than the bell. For my public speaking class i am writing a persuasive speech on why students should eat and Del rather than bell. And this is why. A couple years ago Taco Bell severly underpaid their tomato pickers. They recieved under minimum wage. They got paid 40-50 cents per buckets they picked and made only $50 a day for picking nearly 2 tons throughout their 12 hour day. In my opinion a company this corupt should not be supported. However this issue was finally resolved and pickers wages have been increased slightly. But still, if a company is willing to recieve their products from “sweatshops in the fields” then it is not a company customers should suppost. Besides this issue, Del is just better!!!!!!
Both of them suck in comparison the chipotle and Albertos!!!!
Del Taco came to Detroit. WOW!!!! how nice is this!!!
I just have to say I was born on the east cost but lived on the west cost (OC) and I have had my sare of the Del and the Bell. I think Del is good but i have to give big props to T Bell cuz of there sponsership to Mud Mania (a event firends and I hold every year on june 7th) thank you to them our event has spred college to college and its growing every year. If you want to know more about this “mud mania” and would like to come get back to me
I tried the Del 3 weeks ago and now i eat there almost every day. Taco Bell was my fav but now i can’t stand them. Del is amazing and I would eat there everyday.
I have not eaten @ Del’s b4, but 2day I will. I will come back 2morrow & place my input/opinion between the 2. Toledo, OH. & thanks 2 Barbara 4 leaving the address.
Del Taco sucks a**!!! I’ll always love Taco Bell!!!
Del taco tastes like ass! Taco bell rules. Fuck all y’all tb haters!
I tried Del’s in Toledo, OH. I must admit that it’s better than Taco Bell. A few notches up, but I only had their burrito. HUMONGOUS! Taco Bell nothing compared to Del as far as the the quantity.
taco bell was founded bye glenn bell del taco was founded bye ed hackbarth two seperate people they were not founded bye the same person
Taco bell is better.
Case Closed.
taco bell rules.
I agree Del Taco is much better than Taco Bell. I had never tried Del Taco, but we moved to St Louis area recently and I can’t even think about eating Taco Bell again. Suprising for me, because I didn’t even know they had Del Taco’s in the midwest (I had lived in KC for 15 years and they don’t have a single Del Taco).
Anybody who seriously prefers Taco Bell would probably prefer to beef tongue over top sirloin. Just doesn’t make sense