Taco Bell

If you’ve never had Taco Bell in the US, or haven’t had it for years and years, then the UK Taco Bell will be a revelation.
I usually have it once a year when I go to visit my family… So unfortunately, it’s really obviously just not the same and is a pretty big disappointment. If you just get a basic hard shell taco, it’s kinda close, but not great. There was a lot of orange oil dripping out of everything. The nachos were thick and hard and coated with some weird spice. The nacho cheese didn’t taste of anything. The crunchwrap supreme was really stodgy. The only thing I enjoyed was the chicken quesadilla, which I dipped in their pretty nice salsa.
It’s really no wonder that Taco Bell hasn’t expanded more in the years they’ve been in the UK on this occasion.

Growing up, Taco Bell was a staple in my life, like bread, milk or rice. Taco Bell for Lunch or Dinner? How about late night, aka fourth meal? YES! So I consider myself a TACO BELL FIEND.
You can imagine my sadness when in the process of moving to England, I learned that there was only one Taco Bell in the entire country. So sad. Tears in the shape of nachos ran down my cheek.
So now imagine how excited I was when hubby proposed an excursion to Taco Bell! So so so excited.
Disappointed how so many of the great favourites weren’t on the menu, though… such a limited menu at that! No doritos locos tacos, no chalupas, no mexican pizzas, and I was served a very sorry excuse for a nachos bell grande. So dryyyyyyyyy.
Nonetheless, my burrito was decent and hubby was content, which is what matters. Next time I’m here, I’ll stick to burritos. But who knows when that will be? I’ll probably be in the states before I’m back here.

Oh Taco Bell… how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…
1. Your amazing sauces. How come we don’t that spicy sexy green packet in the US?
2. You say spicy chicken, I say Hells Yes. The spicy chicken soft taco is seriously delicious.
3. Anything and Everything else that makes it worth the trek from London Town.
As a US connoisseur of Taco Bell and a new UK resident I was so excited to hear that there was a TB in the Lakeside Mall. After making the pilgrimage from London, I decided to go big and get a spicy chicken taco, taco supreme, nacho supreme and some fries. I have to say, the UK has outdone America. The seasoning on the crisps and chips (US translation: chips and fries) was to die for. Just the salt I was looking for in this flavorless landscape.
Point being, if you haven’t tried Taco Bell, do. It will be well worth your time, gas money and caloric intake. So tell your boss you’re going to the dentist or your teacher that you’re having a lady emergency and head out to Taco Bell now.
I promise you won’t regret it.

Not as good as Taco Bell in America*, but it fills a hole. A bean-​burrito-​shaped hole in my heart.
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*the goodness of which is a decisive topic amongst the American nation.

I was craving a bit of American nostalgia and decided to make the trip into the wilds of Essex to feast on Taco Bell. And so some shopping.
Upon arrival I noticed that they didn’t have have Mexican pizza. This sucks because I used to love eating these in college. They did however have nachos and some new spicy tacos. So I ate those instead. It wasn’t quite how I remembered Taco Bell tasting but it was tasty nonetheless. They also have some fun Mexican fries. I can’t remember if they have these in the States. The prices are super cheap just like back home and it was nice to eat something that was a bit nostalgic.

Recently, two unicorns rubbed their horns together over the Lakeside Shopping Centre to create something beautiful.
Was it world peace? Nope, better.
Was it getting Katie and Peter Andre back together so we can all sleep better at night? Nope, better yet.
TACO BELL.
Yes kids, it does exist again in the UK. No longer will you have to long for the days of cheap burritos and tacos with sauce packets that spout sound life advice and deliciousness out for you.
OK, in tradition of the way the UK takes everything American and makes it its own, Taco Bell will not give you: chalupas, gorditas, mexican pizzas, chicken ranchero tacos, fiesta potatos, cinnamon twists, pintos, and Mountain Dew or cherry Pepsi.
Though they’ve done some new things like mexican fries…(yes, I know, but one of the workers said they were actually amazing), churros, chocolate quesadillas (well, sans queso), molten chocolate cakes, and a different kind of chicken taco which was deeee-​lish.
Not one to follow Chipotle’s ass-​hattery by charging ridiculous prices, Taco Bell still gives you .79, .89 & .99 delights.
My only complaint is the commute. Start opening them in London! (well, and give us mexican pizzas and chalupas too please :)
FYSR–
Thomas.