There are very few cheap healthy and quick food options in the UK unless it’s a piece of fruit. And the number of convenience stores where you can even buy a banana or an apple are shrinking.
You can imagine my excitement to discover Taco Bell is a UK import, I’ve obviously been unconsciously sleep walking as the first store came to the UK as far back as 2010.
Loads of people in the UK have probably never tasted a Taco Bell taco. Believe it or not Taco Bell originated in California. Glen Bell opened the first Taco Bell restaurant on July 6, 1962, in Downey California, a city south east of Los Angeles and the birth place of the Apollo Space program. Prior to this, Bell operated a hamburger stand and, in 1954, opened his first taco stand in the valley called Taco Tia in San Bernardino, California so the brand origins go way back.
Taco Bell opened its first store in the UK in Lakeside shopping centre in Essex 2010 not in my vicinity which explains why I didn’t stumble across one until a year or so ago. The brand franchises have grown to 139 stores, 90% situated in England. They hit 100 stores in 2022 and have expansion plans for Scotland and Wales to meet demand.
This number actually shocked me when I did the research as I as a big fan and loyal customer in the US and only know of two, both at service stations on the M1, one at Newport Pagnell and the other at Leicester Forest East.
If you have one near you and haven’t been I suggest you try the crunchy and soft tacos, one of the healthiest fast food options available although expect to pay a premium especially on the motorway as prices are definitely higher than other well known burger or chicken joints.
The veggie taco supreme options are really tasty. Black beans, lots of crispy lettuce, tomatoes and guacamole. jalepenos are extra but worth adding if you like a bit of kick and then cheese and sour cream you can opt in or out whether you want to veggie or totally plant based. You can also order sides of guacamole and not the processed kind you get from the supermarket in plastic tubs. But chunky, lumps of avocado almost homemade why the price per pot is £1.29 but worth it I think. I fluctuate on cheese and sour cream and extra guacamole depending on how decadent, healthy I am feeling.
We order a combination of supreme crunchy and soft tacos at £2.99 each taco. The sides of guacamole and jalapeños are extra. I’ve tried the burritos and quesadillas too, these are heavier cheesy options if that’s what you like. I prefer the crispy lighter heavier of the salad tacos.
They also have meal deals, sodas, fries and desserts like every fast food joint but these options are not on my radar and I haven’t purchased.
I love tacos, like the sandwich they are the perfect snack a combination of flavours wrapped neatly in a corn or flour tortilla.
Mexican food is my favourite. Homemade salsa and guacamole are simple recipes made often and served with plain pitta chips, things always available. Limes and coriander are always in the fridge so purchase your tacos from Taco Bell and if you have these fresh ingredients to hand you can upgrade fast food to a gourmet snack is two shakes of a tail.
| Rant Or Rave | Rave |
| Pros | Fresh closest to homemade fast food |
| Cons | More expensive than other fast food options |
| Website | www.tacobell.co.uk/ |
Margaret Louis
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