The Story of Taco Bell Restaurant

Taco Bell, founded by Glen Bell in 1962 in Downey, California, initially started as a hot dog stand before Bell pivoted to tacos, inspired by the nearby Mexican restaurants. By 1964, Bell opened the first Taco Bell restaurant in the same location, introducing his signature crispy-shell tacos. The chain rapidly expanded across the United States, pioneering the concept of fast-food Mexican cuisine. In 1978, PepsiCo acquired Taco Bell, marking the beginning of a series of corporate ownership changes. Throughout its history, Taco Bell has been known for its innovative menu items, including the introduction of the Crunchwrap Supreme and Doritos Locos Tacos, which have garnered widespread popularity and contributed to the brand's continued success in the fast-food industry.
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• EAT'S HISTORY PODCAST
• The History of Food
• The History of Drinks
• The History of Restaur...
• The History of Candy
• EAT'S HISTORY FEATURE ...
00:26 - The history of Tacos
01:33 - where does the word taco come from?
02:41 - how the Taco came to the USA
04:00 - The story of Taco Bell
05:05 - The first Taco Bell
05:54 - When Taco Bell went mainstream
07:28 - Taco Bella space station stunt
07:41 - Mtn a dew Baja Blast
0751 - Taco Bell in Major League Baseball (Steal a base, steal a taco)
08:31 - Taco Bell / Frito Lay “Doritos Locos Tacos”
08:56 - Taco Bell’s Breakfast menu
09:21 - Taco Bell “Nacho Fries”
09:51 - Taco Bell’s secret menu
10:36 - How Taco Bell gives back to the community
11:36 - What happened to the first Taco Bell location?
12:22 - Taco Bell’s marketing story
» CREDIT
Produced and hosted by the Socash Family
Edit: Matthew Lacey
Script by Dillan Aultimate
» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.
Copyright ©️ EAT'S HISTORY. All rights reserved.
#EatsHistory #RyanSocash #TacoBellHistory #FastFoodOrigins #TacoBellEvolution

[@turquoise950]

Taco Bell tacos were my mom's favorite fast food. She generally had them every week. My son would take them to her til the end, even when she was in Hospice. Literally her last meal was a taco. RIP Mom 😇

[@avnostlga]

Nice. One addition, you forgot Border Bell. Taco Bells attempt at a more upscale restaurant in 1997. It had a unique menu. There were only a few pilot stores. One was in my hometown. While it failed, its Border Sauce lived on for a number of years.

[@EATSHISTORY]

Thanks so much for sharing that!

[@avnostlga]

@@EATSHISTORY The food was better than your standard Taco Bell fare. There was the intent to eat at the restaurant rather than takeaway. Interior was decidedly 90's, but dimly lit. They offered three different Border Sauces. Hot, Mild, and Green. All had diced onions in them. It was very popular among my peers. I was sad that it closed.

[@turdfurgler705]

I don’t even know how this video popped up, but that’s dope af 😂 I wish I would’ve seen one

[@Danlandia1]

I remember going to one of the old mission style restaurants in Portland in the late 70’s. It had two cement block picnic tables on the side with a gas fire pit. It was so fun as kids to sit by the fire and eat tacos.

[@Old_Foxy_Grandpa]

Tricon Global Restaurants (Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut) was a spinoff of Pepsico. Then Tricon bought A&W and Habit Grill. All these restaurants serve Peplico products.

[@lonnybush5612]

To expensive now a day. My last order was 1 taco Supreme 1 chicken quesadilla. $15.00.😮

[@djr1029]

What about Taco Bell winning the Fast Food wars in Demolition Man. Then changing the logo to be closer to the movie.

[@detroitredneckdetroitredne6674]

Thank you for taking us on your adventure through history and time

[@EATSHISTORY]

Glad you enjoyed it, we did for sure!

[@detroitredneckdetroitredne6674]

Growing up in a small town in Michigan. We had authentic well. What we thought was authentic mexican cuisine growing up we had fried Corn tortillas With pork and beans on the tortilla .😂😂😂😂 We were poor we thought that was real Mexican tacos.
Thanks for the flashback brother. Hello for romulus michigan 😂😂😂😂

[@zanabandgirl]

they always killed it somehow. love these vids theyre super interesting!

[@Arthur-rf1hi]

Should talk about the severe decline in food quality over the past 20 years!!

[@So-CA_NV_AZ82]

Taco Bell's good but I like Del Taco more, great video Ryan

[@Matt_The_Hugenot]

All restaurants are Taco Bell now.

[@JayBirrd]

"Tay cos" im using that

[@SpendLoudNite]

Now, do the better taco place... Del Taco! Far and away, the better spot!

[@aerocynix]

Thanks man! I've reached out.

[@EATSHISTORY]

Great!

[@JM-wu8bh]

The narrator just called tortillas, "tortilas." Two Ls make a y sound

[@JM-wu8bh]

Locos... mispronounced. You think I'm crazy? It is live like to lo live your life. Not like you go to a live concert

[@IDNHANTU2day]

Huh? ​@@JM-wu8bh

[@kmore2766]

Nahuatl is a "group"? I've always known it as a language...

[@aerocynix]

Hey man! How do i reach out.

[@EATSHISTORY]

Contact info is on my other Chanel

[@mikeysbago-meat7967]

Doritos lock-o's tacos?

[@bryansu5824]

Why did you pronounce it tortillas once with an L 😭😭😭

[@danielduckworth3100]

I am only here to figure out why taco bell is a thing…sincerely, all of Texas.

[@AbAhmed-st1tp]

My friend taco bell is not own Mexican

[@EATSHISTORY]

Indeed, but would you argue that the food is not Mexican inspired?

[@jenniferlenfestey5335]

Is it true that Glen Bell invented diarrhea?