Margaret Louis / 24 May 2025 / Categories: Food & Drink, Fast Food

Taco Bell a Californian import courtesy of Welcome Break

Comfort Food Southern California style

When I lived in Redondo Beach California my two fast food go tos were Jack in the box, I couldn’t resist their curly fries, if you haven’t tried them they are so delicious one of the first things I eat when leaving the airport, doesn’t matter where you are in the US like McDonalds you can find a Jack in the box within 10 minutes of leaving the airport, at LAX Los Angeles international airport it’s on Imperial Highway in Inglewood and number two is Taco Bell.

So when I was returning from London to Leicestershire a few weeks ago imagine my surprise when I saw the Taco Bell branding at the Newport Pagnell services I honestly thought I was hallucinating. When you go and live overseas the things you miss the most is the food you love, it works the other way when you return.

I immediately pulled into the services to go and check out the offering.

First of all it’s on the southbound side of the services so anyone heading north has to cross the footbridge something I would never ordinarily do at a service station but for Taco Bell I made an exception.

For Americans used to paying a buck or a buck fifty for tacos it’s expensive, a seven layer burrito which is not massive £6.99,

Hard and soft Tacos £2.99 and extras like a tiny scoop of guacamole or jalepenos you have to pay more for, 0.79p a go which when you tap yes here and there does add up. You are probably paying a premium in the service station too so expect a £20 bill to feed one greedy hungry person or two ladies not being a pig. Not really fast food prices when you can get a couple of burger meals at Mc Donald’s for a tenner.

But oh was it worth it. The food was nostalgic and absolutely hit the spot.

The service also notable and worth a mention, in my excitement on my first visit I was served by a very nice man who I think found humour in my anticipation to try the food, it’s still a fast food joint in a service station so not fancy at all.

When I returned the second time, several weeks later and considering how many people he has served in between he remembered me which was blooming incredible considering how many faces he has seen in between. I hope if his boss reads this he gets acknowledged and recognised in some way.

They don’t offer anything plant based, everything comes with cheese but they do have a digital veggie menu which makes ordering very easy for anyone looking to pass on the meat options, chicken and beef.

If you’ve never been to America and haven’t experienced Taco Bell yet the taste of the brand just opened in the UK is completely authentic, the same and for anyone like me looking for a taste of home has found a new home in the UK.

I don’t think it will be long before Taco Bell has muscled in on the some what tired McDonald’s, KFC and Burger King space.

Thanks Taco Bell and welcome to the UK.