Written by: Preston Waters
Better ingredients, better tacos, Del Taco. Wait, that’s not their slogan, but it should be. When comparing Taco Bell, a staple in the modern Seventh-day Adventist diet, and Del Taco, opinions arise fast. I am an admirer of Taco Bell’s spicy potato soft taco, but when given the option of Del Taco or Taco Bell, I will choose Del Taco every time. The environment of their restaurant, vast menu options and low prices are what bring me back each time.
In my experience, the environment in Taco Bell is grimy and sticky. When you walk over to fill up your “water” cup with their Baja Blast Mountain Dew, your feet stick to the ground because of the spilled sugary beverages. You then proceed to sit down in the brown leather booths, needing to dust off the leftover cheese left politely from the previous customer.
On the other hand, Del Taco greets you with a smile and pastel green booths. The restaurant is typically cleaner and more put together. In Taco Bell, you are met with several shades of brown and stone, but Del Taco’s color scheme adds subtle hints of fun with splashes of pastel greens and reds. You feel invited to live like you are a child and eat tacos until you can’t finish.
Del Taco’s menu caters to all different cravings. Imagine you are in the car with your girlfriend or boyfriend struggling with the age-old question “Where should we eat?” On one hand, you have Taco Bell, where you can get either tacos or burritos, but on the other hand, you have Del Taco, where you can get tacos, burritos, fries, milkshakes and even burgers. They have secret menu options like ordering anything “bold,” meaning the employees will add their iconic crinkle fries to your taco or burrito. On the other hand, Taco Bell lacks diversity on its menu.
Del Taco also makes most of their food from scratch, “slow-cooking more than 17,000 pounds of lard-free beans made from scratch every single day, ” according to a Delish article by Rheanna O’Niel Bellomo.
“The environment of their restaurant, vast menu options and low prices are what bring me back each time.”
In contrast, “Taco Bell’s beans are rehydrated from previously cooked beans rather than being freshly cooked,” according to a Kitchenbun article by Alina Sherly.
Although Del Taco no longer serves Beyond Meat, they consistently strive for the best ingredients. Del Taco’s prices are lower than Taco Bell’s when comparing similar products. Taco Bell’s combos average $10 while Del Taco’s 16 ounce burrito is only $6, according to an article from Eatpallet by Sheri Mason. Taco Bell’s dollar menu contains the spicy potato soft taco and cheesy bean and rice burrito, both solid options for the average college student. In contrast, Del Taco’s “Del’s Real Deal” has options such as chips and guac, as well as a Chicken Taco Del Carbon, which is a “freshly grilled, marinated chicken, topped with diced onions, chopped cilantro and tangy green sauce, wrapped in a warm corn tortilla” according to Del Taco.
In conclusion, as someone in a Del Taco-less town, I miss it. Taco Bell is a subpar second option, but when given the choice in driving through a town with both, Del Taco is the superior restaurant.
