I'm done with Taco Bell

[el caminero]

Arctic circle is gone now and A&W is just a small fast food joint attached to a gas station and 7-11 type store. There's Roberto's both here in Redmond and in Bend. That's the best fast food Mexican in these parts. I try to avoid going into Bend (Portland East) as much as possible.

Went thru bendredmond a coupla times several years ago to get to jefferson, only recognised a handfulla buildings from 50 years ago, between prineville and detroit, not a lotta parking for a cascadia and 53', and had to go clear to madras for a truckstop (gotta love loves) that my dispatcher said had room and took our card. I remember as a scout sitting in the smoke-eater's b17 at roberts field, while they told stories of the old ford trimotors.

 

[el caminero]

Don’t trust the employees. Sanitary conditions are terrible. Restrooms are filthy everywhere. And the employees use the same facilities. Oh! But the sign says they need to wash their hands, maybe with soap if there is any.

Remember traveling younger and you could stop at any gas station and for the most part they were very clean. Not today.

The sign says employees must wash hands. Waited 35 minutes for an employee, and he wouldnt wash my hands. Man, i havent used dad's joke in years.

 

[Hertervillian]

I like it occasionally...But my primary gripe with Taco Bell anymore is that for just a couple bucks extra, I can enjoy some REAL Mexican food at a REAL Mexican restaurant. And, wash it down with a nice cold beer!

I’ve determined the same thing. <$10 puts Taco Bell in my truck and being honest I like TB. $13 puts me in a chair enjoying a plate of fairly authentic Tex Mex (look I’m in MN so Pablo ain’t foraging in the Sonoran desert each morning).

I’ve parked a hundred semis worth of food in TB stores over the years. As a rule they are clean as a pin, the food supplies are well taken care of, the help does little more than open bags of cold and hot water bath food and assemble. I have delivered 1 TB store that under no circumstance would I have eaten there, hundreds of other locations I have eaten at.

But a guy has to be home every time I want to eat that meal. I’m on the road 100k a year conservatively speaking.

 

[DGW1949]

I've never even been in one, and can't imagine that I've missed much...On the other hand, I've eaten enough What-a-Burgers to feed a small country. I guess we all have our own weaknesses.

DGW

 

[el caminero]

I've never even been in one, and can't imagine that I've missed much...On the other hand, I've eaten enough What-a-Burgers to feed a small country. I guess we all have our own weaknesses.

DGW

Yeah, me its daves triples at wendys

 

[41Dude]

Yeah, me its daves triples at wendys

OMG. Stop. Now I am waiting for Wendy's to open

 

[el caminero]

OMG. Stop. Now I am waiting for Wendy's to open

I worked at an arbys one summer. just about the only one i would patronise because i could step in the door of some others and tell you how old the various roasts were, and when the fryoil was last changed. manager Mark ran a tight ship! Also, If i can learn to clean a table, why cant other people?

 

[XUSNORDIE]

OMG. Stop. Now I am waiting for Wendy's to open

The "Baconator" was a weakness of mine a few years back. Ate two of those things with large Frosty on a overnight surveillance one summer night. Thankfully nothing happened because I probably would have cramped up......always bring a young guy on surveillance with you.

 

[Randyzzz]

There's a place in Bend that still has skating carhops. Excellent food but pricey.

https://www.centraloregondaily.com/...cle_223e3bac-3889-11ef-81e7-f3af0182ac23.html

Spot on. Great food but pricey.

Arctic circle is gone now and A&W is just a small fast food joint attached to a gas station and 7-11 type store. There's Roberto's both here in Redmond and in Bend. That's the best fast food Mexican in these parts. I try to avoid going into Bend (Portland East) as much as possible.

When I lived in Redmond, I hated going into Bend. There were a couple of gun shops, a couple of breweries, and Costco. Maybe Jake’s Diner. Other than that- no use for the place.

Have you tried Madeline’s in Redmond? They have some of the best Mexican food around. Good steaks too. That was where we went when we wanted a special meal- but they are a bit pricey. I became friends with Pablo, the owner, back when I worked at Wright Ford. He also owns Diego’s up the road. More upscale vibe.

Carnaval is another great Mexican place in Redmond. Also, Regio’s is a little family run Mexican place that we love.

Ted at the Odem Theater has one of the best burgers. He grows his own beef and it’s similar to Wagyu. He’s a great guy, conservative and pro 2-A. If you look at the stickers behind the counter you can see a couple of mine that I donated to the cause.

And for the best breakfast hands down, go to Brand44 in Terrebonne. But go hungry! Big portions.

Well, after reminiscing about all the great food in Central Oregon, I guess you know why I’m a bit on the thick side…

 

[KIR]

Arctic circle is gone now and A&W is just a small fast food joint attached to a gas station and 7-11 type store. There's Roberto's both here in Redmond and in Bend. That's the best fast food Mexican in these parts. I try to avoid going into Bend (Portland East) as much as possible.

I take issue with your comment as A&W has 460 diners in 35 states. Not so small. They are rarely mentioned as one of the top tens in food categories as I don't think those writers have never even been to one. I am lucky to have one that is only three miles away across from a local high school. I do miss the juke box that would play 50-60's music, but at least they are not play rap music. My fave is the double cheeseburger with mushrooms/onions and of course a mug of root beer. It has a subtle taste compared to Barq's. I have bought some mugs and given them as presents.
The Mex restaurants I used to go to, I no longer visit unless I am visiting family in L.A. or El Pollo Loco which is a healthy alternative for me at my age.

 

[el caminero]

??? I thought he was referring to a particular one? Not all of them?

 

[Ride1949]

Spot on. Great food but pricey.

When I lived in Redmond, I hated going into Bend. There were a couple of gun shops, a couple of breweries, and Costco. Maybe Jake's Diner. Other than that- no use for the place.

Have you tried Madeline's in Redmond? They have some of the best Mexican food around. Good steaks too. That was where we went when we wanted a special meal- but they are a bit pricey. I became friends with Pablo, the owner, back when I worked at Wright Ford. He also owns Diego's up the road. More upscale vibe.

Carnaval is another great Mexican place in Redmond. Also, Regio's is a little family run Mexican place that we love.

Ted at the Odem Theater has one of the best burgers. He grows his own beef and it's similar to Wagyu. He's a great guy, conservative and pro 2-A. If you look at the stickers behind the counter you can see a couple of mine that I donated to the cause.

And for the best breakfast hands down, go to Brand44 in Terrebonne. But go hungry! Big portions.

Well, after reminiscing about all the great food in Central Oregon, I guess you know why I'm a bit on the thick side…

Yes, Madeline's is a good one, but pricey as noted. Carlos and Dolores (the owners of Regio's) are personal friends of mine. I've eaten many, many meals there. Haven't been in Brand44or Carnaval. I haven't been eating out much lately, due to lack of funds. I'll have to look in to that when I have some extra cash. I lived in Bend for 16 yrs. when I first came to Oregon from Colorado. (1976) During my wilder drinking and carousing days, Jake's (when it was Jake's Truck Stop and still on the south end of town) was good for an after closing time breakfast.

 

[Ride1949]

??? I thought he was referring to a particular one? Not all of them?

Yup.Just the two of them. One in Bend and one Redmond. Don't much care about how many others are out there, since I highly doubt I'll be looking for one elsewhere.

 

[Randyzzz]

Yes, Madeline's is a good one, but pricey as noted. Carlos and Dolores (the owners of Regio's) are personal friends of mine. I've eaten many, many meals there. Haven't been in Brand44. I haven't been eating out much lately, due to lack of funds. I'll have to look in to that when I have some extra cash. I lived in Bend for 16 yrs. when I first came to Oregon from Colorado. (1976) During my wilder drinking and carousing days, Jake's (when it was Jakes Truck Stop and still on the south end of town) was good for an after closing time breakfast.

I have known Carlos and his family since about 2000 when I started working at Dave Hamilton Chevy/Jeep at the north end of Redmond. He always brought his rig in there for service. He is one of the nicest guys out there.

 

[Ride1949]

Wow I didn't know they went up that far. Only ones I knew of were in San Diego. Little tiny places. There were "Albertos" also, but Robertos was the best. I still crave it.....it's been since 1991....

Correction: It's Rigoberto's not Roberto's. My bad.

 

[ProfessorWes]

Well, as luck would have it . . . A co-worker this morning told me her friends were bringing her lunch.

Taco Bell, as it happens.

That was 12:00 pm almost on the dot. And at 2 pm Kristen was bolting frantically for the ladies'.

Glad I declined the tacos.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Correction: It's Rigoberto's not Roberto's. My bad.

Ahhh.....I see..... Ragu alla Bolognese with three tacos on the side...

 

[Ride1949]

Nope. All Mexican. Good Mex at that. Now if I want really good Mexican food...I cook it myself.

 

[xtratoy]

Tried an Encherito at a local TB in 1995.
Got food poisoning and was blowing from both ends for the next 12 hours.
No gracias.
Dairy Queen (franchises owned by Mayfield) serves a decent crispy taco.

Yeah... Taco Bell will do that to you!!

 

[jkingrph]

Here in northern New Mexico we have several restaurants and food carts/wagon which do a much better job. There is no reason whatsoever to visit a Taco Bell unless it is late at night and they are the only one open.

Same here in our small E Texas town, More Mexican restaurants than any other type. Food is better and priced much better than Taco Bell. Probably been close to 30 years since I was in a Taco Bell. I'll support the small local business. One is really a hole in the wall, grubby looking interior. Took my son and grandson a while back and grandson had Mexican and said it was good, the rest of us catfish, They serve two huge catfish filets, fries and coleslaw for under $10.00

 

[GasGuzzler]

Had it yesterday. No issues.

 

[trebor44]

I miss the $0.29 tacos!

 

[jg123]

I'm glad I never started.