This Taco Bell and I go waaaaay back. The corner of Cleo and S. Coast Highway feels like a second home to me and my family. I know the surroundings, the sights, the sounds, and the smells like the back of my hand! But, sadly, it’s no longer the same as it once was. This beloved and iconic building/Taco Bell was changed over and remodeled. Its character is gone, and is no longer a Taco Bell at all. Farewell to a legend. Its absence not only represents the end of an era but also symbolizes the changing landscape of the city. First, it was KFC, and now Taco Bell.
This location first opened in 1967 and was one of the last remaining locations built with the fast food chain's original design, which included the arches, a tiled roof, and Spanish Mission house style. To keep the memories alive, I have a cookie of both the iconic building and the former signage (which I believe they should revive!)
My dad has memories of dining here as a kid on family vacations and carried on that tradition with me and my brother. I have so many memories of getting quesadillas and nachos here with my little brother. When we got Taco Bell, it usually meant our parents were going out for dinner without us; but back at the hotel, we had our Taco Bell and all the movie options. Remember the rental category, “still in theaters”?! (This was back when it was still Vacation Village next door, and that surf shop in the background was a KFC!!) While the South Coast Highway Taco Bell may no longer exist, its legacy lives on in my heart and in cookie form.
