Why Del Taco Should Be Your Next Fast Food Fix: A Nostalgic Dive into Tacos and More!


 Written By Ken Hulsey

Have you ever felt like the universe is trying to send you a message? For me, it’s been all about Del Taco over the past three days. It all started when my wife was reminiscing about Taco Tuesdays, where you could snag three tasty tacos for just $1.49 (I still remember when it was only 99 cents!). Then, yesterday, I was listening to a radio station from Albuquerque, KDRF 103.3 eD FM, and I heard a commercial bragging about how Del Taco now has twenty items for under $2. Crazy, right?


And to top it all off, today at work, a coworker mentioned that her sister works at—wait for it—Del Taco in Barstow! Keep in mind, I’m living in Louisiana right now, so there’s literally no Del Taco around for hundreds of miles. But I have some awesome memories from when I lived in California, and I genuinely think Del Taco beats Taco Bell hands down. Don’t get me wrong, Taco Bell has its own charm, but Del Taco's tacos, burritos, and nachos are just so good. Plus, they make burgers and fries too, all at prices that won't break the bank.



Let’s explore the history of Del Taco! It all kicked off back in 1964 when Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson opened the first Del Taco in Yermo, California. They offered some pretty tempting prices—like 19-cent tacos and cheeseburgers for just 24 cents. Can you believe they made $169 on their first day? That’s roughly equivalent to selling about 900 tacos!

Moving into the 1970s, Del Taco really began to take off. By 1978, they had grown to 100 locations! During this time, they spiced up their menu, adding fun items like the bun taco, quesadillas, and even ice cream sundaes. 

In 1988, things got even more exciting for Del Taco when they merged with the Naugles restaurant chain. They adapted to the changing times by staying open 24/7, catering to those late-night cravings. Fast forward to 2024, and Del Taco has been named America’s Favorite Fast Food in USA Today’s annual reader-ranked survey, knocking Chick-fil-A out of the number one spot! It’s amazing to see how this beloved brand continues to win over the hearts—and appetites—of people all across the country.




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