A legend...and potential legend...have died

Glen W. Bell Jr., whose idea in 1951 to sell crispy-shell tacos from the window of his hamburger stand became the foundation of Taco Bell, the restaurant chain that turned Mexican fare into fast food for millions of Americans, died at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, California, on January 16th. He was 86.

It's a sad day for Taco Bell enthusiasts. But 86 is a respectable age to pass. Ryan and I can only hope to last as long as Mr. Bell after the many GSB and double deckers are consumed over our life time.

Also, Gaines Adams, the 4th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2007 NFL Draft, died January 17th. No he was not a well known Taco Bell fan...but he was in one of the greatest youtube videos of all time. BEASTMODE...in heaven.

RIP Glen Bell and Gaines Adams

Blogger Down!

So I recently had surgery to repair a tendon in my hand...needless to ay I cant update the blog quite like I used to. Ill get back at you guys when I heal up! In the meantime get a Double Decker or 5 for me!

I found the Mecca of all Taco Bells... consider me Muslim

So I found it, the best Taco Bell ever. What is the one thing that would make Taco Bell even better, the one thing that is often the cause of getting Taco Bell, the one thing that has been the cause of many mistakes...alcohol!

While visiting NYC, I stumbled past a Taco Bell that sold beer inside. An entire stocked ice chest of delicious frosty beer. I know it's been a while since a new post, but a find this amazing, was well worth the wait.
So if any of you happen to find yourself in NYC, head into Penn Station and find this glorious Taco Bell and get yourself into the cycle of awesomeness...drink, eat TB to sober up, drink, and so forth.

Life. Is. Good.

Wild Card Meal- 11/3/09

Since I am literally reeling from Griff's free ride he gave me on the Bullet Train to Burnsville, I have to give you my synopsis of my recent foray to the Border. I have a standard meal, which has been described ad nauseum on our little bloggy blog here, so Ill spare you. Here it goes my first wild card meal, which as stipulated by the rules that Griff and I established; should consist of menu items you have never ordered or have ordered rarely-

1- Crunchwrap Supreme- First off, there is too much going on with this thing, it the Wild Cat Offense of Taco Bell menu items- things are just not doing what they should be but some how make it come together. The crunchy shell providing the structure on my example was stale. The lettuce, too much of it and it just falls out. The cheese- not enough. The sour cream- it was bunched all at one side, and was not a good fit. Wrap all of that in a Tortilla, toasted the same way they toast the GSB, is a nice touch, but really does nothing here. I immediatley disrespected this menu item, not a fan, Ill never order it again.

2- The Enchirito- I had this item a really long time ago, and I honestly forgot what it was, so as I sat in the drive through, repeatedly telling he dude to "Uh, hold on.", I overlooked it. It comes to you in a plastic box...clear top, black bottom. It looks like an Enchilada, it essentially is an Enchilada, just fucking call it an Enchilada, why call it an Enchirito? Okay, I got really pissed with this item, as I didnt really know how to eat it as the aforementioned dude at the drive through forgot to give me the ubiquitous "Spork", made famous by the Bell, and beloved by people all over the world. This menu item once I had to break out the knife and fork(!!!!!!!!!!), was pretty damn good, I would order it again; but please Taco Bell dont make me feel all proper by having to use a knife and fork.

3- The Meximelt- Ive never had this item before, I hear that it is one of the longest tenured items on the Taco Bell menu, for good measure- ITS DELICIOUS. It's the perfect blend of cheesy goodness, mixed with the right ammount of beef and tomatoes- only thing missing is the Pepper Jack sauce, Griff will agree with me, it makes everything awesome. I will be ordering the Meximelt again.

Overall this experience was "Okay", it would have been better if I had gotten the Fire Sauce I requested, but Ill save that for the next time I post- Lee Highway Taco Bell, you have been put on notice. A fat guy in a red car has your number.

Beware of the "1/2 pound burrito"

So let me start by saying the only 1/2 pounder I have had thus far is the nacho crunch burrito, and it is delicious. It is the closest thing to the GSB with chips in it I have found. It could definitely use more crunch but it is still a great contrast. With that being said, I would just like to warn you all to not get your hopes up by the name "1/2 pounder." The description of the burrito is perhaps the most misleading thing of them all

A warm flour tortilla loaded with a double portion** of seasoned ground beef and filled with warm nacho cheese sauce, juicy tomatoes, reduced fat sour cream and crunchy red strips.

* Based on average weight.
Individual product weights necessarily vary.

**Double Beef compared to Burrito Supreme

First of all, the fact it says based on average weight tells me that they probably made 100 12lb burritos to start, gave them to their CEOs and now sell bite size version because it is all based off of an average.

Secondly, the ** is a bunch of bullshit, I've seen/eaten/experienced a burrito supreme and they are way bigger than these 1/2 pounders.

And lastly, look at this picture.

This is a supposed 1/2 pound burrito next to a GSB. Now, I did not weigh the burrito but there is no way that little thing is 1/2 a pound (that's what she said...thank you Michael Scott.)

So I do not want to discourage you from buying one of these tasty treats but I just want you to beware that when you order a 1/2 pounder, its best to divide by 2 because that is more realistic of what you are getting. Just like Ryan's stories, no matter what he says, divide by 2 and that is how much of the story is probably true...ooo burnesville...population RYAN!!!

Fond Taco Bell Memories- The Sunday Grande Meal

I wanted to start a series on our blog called "Fond Taco Bell Memories", it would be a place for Griff and I to lay some past Taco greatness on you guys while we reminisced- memories kick ass.

Im going to start this series off with one of my favorite traditions- Taco Day. In the Fall of '02 my HeteroLifemate Mikey Kelley and I used to be known for: good grades, good looks and great times, generally involving him urinating on someone or something in an alcoholic haze, it was his good ole' party trick. Mick is a great guy, he lived with his dad till 26, gambled for a living and is literally the only person I know to ever have the shit beat out of them in a cab in Vegas, robbed and left out in the desert. Mick also is quite the Taco Bell enthusiast. One Sunday morning after a brutal night out, we decided nothing would fix our hang over like a run for the border. We hopped in Mick's Red Z3 and drove into town. Upon arriving at the drive thru a conversation started, "Hey G, I bet you cant eat a whole Grande Meal." not one to shy away from any food or booze related challenge, I stepped up to the plate, and so did he. I later found out that this is known as the "Grande Meal Challenge" whatever, we thought it was cool. We collected our orders, drove back to the house and much to the chagrin of those there to watch the Cowboys game, we crushed our meals, well under the ten minute mark- that day a tradition was started, two idiots would roll in around 1230 to collect their meals and we would go back to the house, eat our meals and watch football- If Football wasn't on, an Arnold movie.

T2 can deliver more than you think

As you all know I have a bit of an obsession with the GSB and I'm not gonna waste your time with again explaining why. I do want to explain to you why the GSB combo meal, the T2, is the best meal you can get at TB.

There may be combos that deliver more food, or come at a cheaper price, and while all meals come with a soda, it is the chips that deliver the goods in this combo meal. Let it first be said that no soda other than Mountain Dew should ever be drank at TB. They are notoriously good at having the newest flavors of Mountain Dew at most of their locations. Mo flavor will ever compare to original, but if you are ever presented with the opportunity to have Code Red, do so. Either of the two are beautiful compliments to the tasty appeal of TB. T1 through T9 it does not matter...Mountain Dew goes best. It's EXTREEEEEEMMMME!

But here is where the true art of eating at TB is shown. Once you get your T2, feel free to immediately toss out the nacho cheese sauce; this will not be needed where these chips are going. Begin your eating experience by applying a line of fire sauce to the top of the GSB. Take the first 2 or 3 bites needed to properly remove the top of the burrito. From here on out, insert a chip into every opening, followed by another generous portion of fire sauce (mild or hot will work as well but fire is the best). By doing so, you have now created the bastard child of the GSB and the Crunch Wrap Supreme..a GSB with the glorious crunch of the CWS.

So there it is. If you are going to go with a combo meal, make it a T2 with a Mountain Dew and make sure you use your chips appropriately. Guaranteed to make any consumer a satisfied one.