The latest food frenzy? Tacos. In the blink of an eye, Cinco de Mayo became as big as Thanksgiving, and Taco Tuesdays became a household tradition. Anything wrapped in a tortilla receives praise, which must be why Taco Bell and Del Taco are among the favorite fast food restaurants today.
And while television personality, Chrissy Teigen calls Del Taco one of her favorite cravings, E! News calls it “The poor man’s Taco Bell” with no excuse to visit. So, which is it? Maybe you are a die-hard T-Bell connoisseur… or, you’d defend Del Taco in all its glory any day of the week. Either way – let’s first talk this through before you start throwing Gordita Crunches and Del Scorcho sauce at each other.
In this article
The Backstory
Taco Bell
While McDonald’s was opening its first location, Taco Bell’s founder, Glen Bell followed suit in the same town – San Bernardino, California, in 1954. At the time, the restaurant was known as Bell’s Drive-In and Taco Tia which morphed into the Taco Bell name in 1962. Now, it’s the world’s largest Mexican fast-food chain.
Del Taco
We whole-heartedly believe if we could still get tacos for 19 cents, there would be fewer issues in the world. That’s what they sold for at Del Taco back when it opened in 1964, which is also back when founder Ed Hackbarth dreamt of stealing market share from the already established Taco Bell. The chain has built a small, but insanely loyal fanbase. West-coasters go to bat for Del Taco and its 564 locations. Let’s just say, you do not want to be a Taco Bell west of Nevada.
The Food
Sure, Taco Bell and Del Taco are both Mexican fast food restaurants with all the staples – tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos. But, if you examine their menus, you’ll quickly realize how vastly different they are. We mean – one offers hamburgers, while the other would never dare to cross over into such territory.
Taco Bell tends to stick with its Mexican roots, offering spinoffs of traditional dishes. And while we don’t see Taco Bell crossing into Burgerville anytime soon, did you know they offer fries? Seasoned Nacho Fries, that is. Taco Bell is known for its seasoned beef, tasting unlike any other taco on the market. And while people say it’s not the most authentic-tasting Mexican food, Taco Bell lovers gawk over the unique taste you can’t get anywhere else. Del Taco doesn’t necessarily play by the rules, either. Their Chili Cheddar Fries and Bacon Double Del Cheeseburger are two of the most popular menu items.
So, does this mean Del Taco has a leg up on Taco Bell?
Not necessarily. Taco Bell racks in a ton of sales with their specialty Mexican food items like the Loaded Potato Griller, Beefy Nacho Griller, Spicy Buffalo Chicken Griller, and their huge Smothered Burrito with Shredded Chicken.
They both have the assortment of traditional Mexican meals, but here’s a list of popular menu items to give you a better idea of what’s selling like hotcakes:
Taco Bell
- Nachos Bell Grande
- Grilled Breakfast Burrito
- Chalupa Supreme
- Cheese Quesadilla
- Doritos Locos Tacos
Del Taco
- Grilled Chicken Soft Taco
- Crinkle Cut Fries
- Cinnamon Churro
- Crunchy Del Taco
- Epic Cali Steak & Guac Burrito
How about the prices?
Arguably the most important factor in this debate is the price – who’s cheaper?
Generally, Del Taco prices tend to be slightly cheaper than Taco Bell prices when you compare single items like regular tacos. For instance, a regular taco from Del Taco is on the Buck and Under menu and is just $.69, but the same order at Taco Bell is $1.19. However, some specialty food items, like taco salad, may be cheaper at Taco Bell. At Del Taco, the Signature Taco Salad is $5.49, and at Taco Bell, a Fiesta Taco Salad with beef is $4.99.
Even with slight differences, however, the prices are fairly similar, so people tend to consider flavor and location over price when it comes to deciding between the two. (To see for yourself, check out the full list of prices for Taco Bell and Del Taco.)
What do the people have to say?
Del Taco is like the In-N-Out of Mexican fast food. Californians and neighboring states would never choose another burger joint over In-N-Out, just like they would never choose Taco Bell over Del Taco. It’s a loyalty thing. Business Insider confirms our suspicions about Del Taco, calling it the “West Coast competitor that people are obsessed with.” But, they ultimately dub Taco Bell as the clear winner – offering a taste you just can’t get anywhere else.
But wait… Didn’t your mom tell you not to be swayed by the opinions of others? Let us know – which Mexican fast food joint is your favorite: Taco Bell or Del Taco?
It seems like you know the correct answers to their research; if so, what are they and point out their mistakes so they can correct them. Also, do you work for any of these companies? Just asking since you seemed to be a little offended or disturbed, no one really just sits on their computer to read poorly researched work and has the time to check back if they corrected their published work or not. It also seems petty to report them, its really not that big of a deal.
P.S for personal development do not use “dude” in your writing, it devalues your writing and makes reader take it less seriously Lexie.
A. Del Taco beats the hell out of Taco Bell.
B. Sandra doesn’t have a firm enough grasp on correct usage of commas and semicolons to be criticizing another’s writing. My quick count is four mistakes in one paragraph. Get another hobby. Go grab a green or red bean burrito with extra sauce and some chicken soft tacos.
C. Dude, now I’m hungry.
Worst comment I’ve ever seen. That was the easiest understandable topic I’ve seen so far. Now, I’ll go get some tacos doesn’t really matter at which restaurant.
you misspelled grammatical.
“gramattical mistake”
And I’ve never seen a Taco Bell in the United States with french fries.
I love Del Taco. I’m definitely a fan of the Del, I did work at one in the eighties, when I was a teenager. Full disclosure. But this article never mentions that Del uses fresh ingredients. Fresh cooked beans in store, fresh avocado, fresh pico de gallo, freshly grated cheese. They really are above Taco Bell in that sense. Not even in the same league. Anywhoo, just wanted to correct that error. Made me a little mad. Much love.
Agree. The Del is my favorite by far and I’m in Atlanta. East Coast Represent!
Del Taco all the way. Real beans, real beef. Their offerings are simpler more traditional. Occasionally they will offer up seasonal specials, I can recall carnitas and tamales as a couple.
Taco bell uses some dehydrated bean mix and canned sortameat. I give them credit, they can get very creative in special combinations or special offerings like the dorito shell taco. It does taste good but i prefer to eat real beans/meat.
The likes of Taco Bell at one time was that when they started out the bean tostada was cheap:.29 cents with meat.59 cents, but lately the price of their food has gotten expensive $119 To $169 depending on what you order, if you go veggie that’s just a $1.19 add meat $1.69 and add extra 10 to 30 cents Del Taco is a lot more affordable, taco Tuesday you could fill up for half the price that what you pay at Taco Bell,get 3 tacos for $2.30 at del taco’s taco Tuesday , I tried to find a value menu at Taco Bell but it doesn’t exist over there anymore so if you trying to spend less at Taco Bell one thing you ought to know; you won’t, even the nacho bell grande will be close to be $8.00. So be surprised how much you’ll be spending, not much to eat.
Likes or dislikes of either one Del Taco or Taco Bell, everyone will take sides what they can afford to expensive, so think of this way your wallet will tell you if is possible you’ll be full after you eat.
Del Taco wins over Taco Bell any day. Fresh real meats, fish, chicken, eggs, cheese, and vegetables. When I think of Taco Bell, I think of carbohydrates, very salty, processed, meat with soy, inedible slop.