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- I ate at Del Taco for the first time and found the meal was disappointing from start to finish
I ate at Del Taco for the first time and found the meal was disappointing from start to finish
I took the subway (yes, LA has a subway!) to a Del Taco restaurant in East Hollywood.
![I ate at Del Taco for the first time and found the meal was disappointing from start to finish](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-72959669%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-521303%2Fi-took-the-subway-yes-la-has-a-subway-to-a-del-taco-restaurant-in-east-hollywood-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Del Taco's aesthetic is halfway between Taco Bell and Chipotle. It's got that shiny, "our food is good for you" look.
![Del Taco](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959667,width-700,height-525,imgsize-522474/del-tacos-aesthetic-is-halfway-between-taco-bell-and-chipotle-its-got-that-shiny-our-food-is-good-for-you-look-.jpg)
But its expansive menu was paralyzing. There was everything from burgers to tacos to tamales to bowls.
![But its expansive menu was paralyzing. There was everything from burgers to tacos to tamales to bowls.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959665,width-700,height-525,imgsize-517113/but-its-expansive-menu-was-paralyzing-there-was-everything-from-burgers-to-tacos-to-tamales-to-bowls-.jpg)
There were even two tiers of taco: the Tex-Mex "world famous" tacos, and the more Mexican-style "kitchen crafted" tacos.
![There were even two tiers of taco: the Tex-Mex "world famous" tacos, and the more Mexican-style "kitchen crafted" tacos.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959664,width-700,height-525,imgsize-587367/there-were-even-two-tiers-of-taco-the-tex-mex-world-famous-tacos-and-the-more-mexican-style-kitchen-crafted-tacos-.jpg)
I ordered and took a seat. Since it was mid-afternoon, the restaurant was fairly empty.
![I ordered and took a seat. Since it was mid-afternoon, the restaurant was fairly empty.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959662,width-700,height-525,imgsize-458379/i-ordered-and-took-a-seat-since-it-was-mid-afternoon-the-restaurant-was-fairly-empty-.jpg)
In order to get a good idea of what Del Taco has to offer, I ordered a ridiculous amount of food. Yes, I did get stares.
![In order to get a good idea of what Del Taco has to offer, I ordered a ridiculous amount of food. Yes, I did get stares.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959659,width-700,height-525,imgsize-428341/in-order-to-get-a-good-idea-of-what-del-taco-has-to-offer-i-ordered-a-ridiculous-amount-of-food-yes-i-did-get-stares-.jpg)
The sheer variety in Del Taco's menu has always intrigued me. Why sell a burger at the same place that sells tacos?
![The sheer variety in Del Taco](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959656,width-700,height-525,imgsize-378389/the-sheer-variety-in-del-tacos-menu-has-always-intrigued-me-why-sell-a-burger-at-the-same-place-that-sells-tacos.jpg)
I nibbled at a fry before I dug into my feast. It was just okay for a fry — surprisingly crispy and flavorful for a crinkle-cut fry, but not the kind of fry that keeps you coming back for more.
![I nibbled at a fry before I dug into my feast. It was just okay for a fry — surprisingly crispy and flavorful for a crinkle-cut fry, but not the kind of fry that keeps you coming back for more.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959654,width-700,height-525,imgsize-240770/i-nibbled-at-a-fry-before-i-dug-into-my-feast-it-was-just-okay-for-a-fry-surprisingly-crispy-and-flavorful-for-a-crinkle-cut-fry-but-not-the-kind-of-fry-that-keeps-you-coming-back-for-more-.jpg)
Del Taco was one of the first major chains to add a plant-based "meat" option to its national menu. I was beyond excited to try the Beyond Taco.
![Del Taco was one of the first major chains to add a plant-based "meat" option to its national menu. I was beyond excited to try the Beyond Taco.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959653,width-700,height-525,imgsize-277008/del-taco-was-one-of-the-first-major-chains-to-add-a-plant-based-meat-option-to-its-national-menu-i-was-beyond-excited-to-try-the-beyond-taco-.jpg)
At $2.49, the Beyond Taco is a full dollar more expensive than the Del Taco, its meaty counterpart.
![At $2.49, the Beyond Taco is a full dollar more expensive than the Del Taco, its meaty counterpart.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959652,width-700,height-525,imgsize-249450/at-2-49-the-beyond-taco-is-a-full-dollar-more-expensive-than-the-del-taco-its-meaty-counterpart-.jpg)
It doesn't taste unlike a beef taco. But it also doesn't taste very satisfying. It's just really salty. It tastes similar to a Taco Bell taco, but with pico de gallo and more cheese.
![It doesn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959650,width-700,height-525,imgsize-252803/it-doesnt-taste-unlike-a-beef-taco-but-it-also-doesnt-taste-very-satisfying-its-just-really-salty-it-tastes-similar-to-a-taco-bell-taco-but-with-pico-de-gallo-and-more-cheese-.jpg)
Next, I tried the flagship taco: the Del Taco ($1.49). It seems pretty confident to give your standard Tex-Mex taco a branded name. Imagine if Taco Bell sold "Bell Tacos."
![Next, I tried the flagship taco: the Del Taco ($1.49). It seems pretty confident to give your standard Tex-Mex taco a branded name. Imagine if Taco Bell sold "Bell Tacos."](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959647,width-700,height-525,imgsize-316668/next-i-tried-the-flagship-taco-the-del-taco-1-49-it-seems-pretty-confident-to-give-your-standard-tex-mex-taco-a-branded-name-imagine-if-taco-bell-sold-bell-tacos-.jpg)
There's no denying that the real beef taco tastes better than the Beyond Taco. But it still doesn't taste all that good. It's just fine.
![There](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959646,width-700,height-525,imgsize-226417/theres-no-denying-that-the-real-beef-taco-tastes-better-than-the-beyond-taco-but-it-still-doesnt-taste-all-that-good-its-just-fine-.jpg)
And somehow, it doesn't have the same fresh and satisfying balance that Taco Bell's tacos always seem to have. It's just not quite as flavorful.
![And somehow, it doesn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959644,width-700,height-525,imgsize-256565/and-somehow-it-doesnt-have-the-same-fresh-and-satisfying-balance-that-taco-bells-tacos-always-seem-to-have-its-just-not-quite-as-flavorful-.jpg)
I reached for a sugar-dusted mini churro ($1.09 for two) to balance out all the salt I had just consumed.
![I reached for a sugar-dusted mini churro ($1.09 for two) to balance out all the salt I had just consumed.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959642,width-700,height-525,imgsize-242615/i-reached-for-a-sugar-dusted-mini-churro-1-09-for-two-to-balance-out-all-the-salt-i-had-just-consumed-.jpg)
I've had really, really good churros, but I've never had a bad one. Fried dough and sugar are a pretty killer combination.
![I](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959639,width-700,height-525,imgsize-219730/ive-had-really-really-good-churros-but-ive-never-had-a-bad-one-fried-dough-and-sugar-are-a-pretty-killer-combination-.jpg)
This sweet, crunchy stick of joy was no exception to the universal law of churros.
![This sweet, crunchy stick of joy was no exception to the universal law of churros.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959638,width-700,height-525,imgsize-181741/this-sweet-crunchy-stick-of-joy-was-no-exception-to-the-universal-law-of-churros-.jpg)
But there were still many paths to tread, the next of which was the Del Combo Burrito ($3.59).
![But there were still many paths to tread, the next of which was the Del Combo Burrito ($3.59).](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959637,width-700,height-525,imgsize-198039/but-there-were-still-many-paths-to-tread-the-next-of-which-was-the-del-combo-burrito-3-59-.jpg)
As with Taco Bell's burritos, I couldn't really tell what was in this burrito. It was salty mush inside a bland tortilla. Pass.
![As with Taco Bell](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959635,width-700,height-525,imgsize-229831/as-with-taco-bells-burritos-i-couldnt-really-tell-what-was-in-this-burrito-it-was-salty-mush-inside-a-bland-tortilla-pass-.jpg)
Onward and inward, I moved to my next platter: regular queso nachos and an avocado veggie bowl.
![Onward and inward, I moved to my next platter: regular queso nachos and an avocado veggie bowl.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959634,width-700,height-525,imgsize-493133/onward-and-inward-i-moved-to-my-next-platter-regular-queso-nachos-and-an-avocado-veggie-bowl-.jpg)
I love me a heart-stopping pile of nachos. But nothing that topped these $4 nachos was appealing.
![I love me a heart-stopping pile of nachos. But nothing that topped these $4 nachos was appealing.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959632,width-700,height-525,imgsize-369430/i-love-me-a-heart-stopping-pile-of-nachos-but-nothing-that-topped-these-4-nachos-was-appealing-.jpg)
The queso tasted fishy. Why?!
![The queso tasted fishy. Why?!](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959631,width-700,height-525,imgsize-323884/the-queso-tasted-fishy-why.jpg)
The avocado veggie bowl ($5.39) was basically the five tenets of Tex-Mex in a bowl, plus avocado.
![The avocado veggie bowl ($5.39) was basically the five tenets of Tex-Mex in a bowl, plus avocado.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959630,width-700,height-525,imgsize-418252/the-avocado-veggie-bowl-5-39-was-basically-the-five-tenets-of-tex-mex-in-a-bowl-plus-avocado-.jpg)
It was resoundingly bland: watery beans, limp lettuce, and soggy tomato over plain rice.
![It was resoundingly bland: watery beans, limp lettuce, and soggy tomato over plain rice.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959629,width-700,height-525,imgsize-155087/it-was-resoundingly-bland-watery-beans-limp-lettuce-and-soggy-tomato-over-plain-rice-.jpg)
I moved on to the platter with the cheddar quesadilla, cheeseburger, and tamales.
![I moved on to the platter with the cheddar quesadilla, cheeseburger, and tamales.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959627,width-700,height-525,imgsize-456486/i-moved-on-to-the-platter-with-the-cheddar-quesadilla-cheeseburger-and-tamales-.jpg)
The cheese quesadilla ($2.89) was very flat and very stiff.
![The cheese quesadilla ($2.89) was very flat and very stiff.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959625,width-700,height-525,imgsize-324070/the-cheese-quesadilla-2-89-was-very-flat-and-very-stiff-.jpg)
Usually, my problem with quesadillas is that they're not crispy enough. This one didn't have that problem.
![Usually, my problem with quesadillas is that they](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959624,width-700,height-525,imgsize-242913/usually-my-problem-with-quesadillas-is-that-theyre-not-crispy-enough-this-one-didnt-have-that-problem-.jpg)
In fact, this one was so crispy, even the cheese inside was crispy, not gooey. Each bite was hard, dry, and disappointing.
![In fact, this one was so crispy, even the cheese inside was crispy, not gooey. Each bite was hard, dry, and disappointing.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959623,width-700,height-525,imgsize-185513/in-fact-this-one-was-so-crispy-even-the-cheese-inside-was-crispy-not-gooey-each-bite-was-hard-dry-and-disappointing-.jpg)
Throughout this meal, I often asked myself "Why?!" One of the most pressing questions at the back of my mind was: Why sell burgers at a taco joint?
![Throughout this meal, I often asked myself "Why?!" One of the most pressing questions at the back of my mind was: Why sell burgers at a taco joint?](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959622,width-700,height-525,imgsize-331610/throughout-this-meal-i-often-asked-myself-why-one-of-the-most-pressing-questions-at-the-back-of-my-mind-was-why-sell-burgers-at-a-taco-joint.jpg)
The only reason I could think of would be if that burger was really, really good.
![The only reason I could think of would be if that burger was really, really good.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959621,width-700,height-525,imgsize-223096/the-only-reason-i-could-think-of-would-be-if-that-burger-was-really-really-good-.jpg)
But while the Del cheeseburger ($3) wasn't terrible, it wasn't much different from your standard fast-food value cheeseburger.
![But while the Del cheeseburger ($3) wasn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959620,width-700,height-525,imgsize-356741/but-while-the-del-cheeseburger-3-wasnt-terrible-it-wasnt-much-different-from-your-standard-fast-food-value-cheeseburger-.jpg)
The beef was actually pretty tender and juicy, but the bun was slightly over-toasted and the toppings thrown on sloppily.
![The beef was actually pretty tender and juicy, but the bun was slightly over-toasted and the toppings thrown on sloppily.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959617,width-700,height-525,imgsize-256058/the-beef-was-actually-pretty-tender-and-juicy-but-the-bun-was-slightly-over-toasted-and-the-toppings-thrown-on-sloppily-.jpg)
As a tamales lover, I was impressed and excited to see tamales on Del Taco's menu. Tamales are seasonal items that were added this November. They cost $2.19 apiece.
![As a tamales lover, I was impressed and excited to see tamales on Del Taco](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959615,width-700,height-525,imgsize-475304/as-a-tamales-lover-i-was-impressed-and-excited-to-see-tamales-on-del-tacos-menu-tamales-are-seasonal-items-that-were-added-this-november-they-cost-2-19-apiece-.jpg)
But the shredded pork was so dry it was stringy, and the corn flour exterior was crumbly and flavorless.
![But the shredded pork was so dry it was stringy, and the corn flour exterior was crumbly and flavorless.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959613,width-700,height-525,imgsize-189667/but-the-shredded-pork-was-so-dry-it-was-stringy-and-the-corn-flour-exterior-was-crumbly-and-flavorless-.jpg)
To cleanse my palate, I dove into some good ol' chips and guac ($1.49).
![To cleanse my palate, I dove into some good ol](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959612,width-700,height-525,imgsize-260123/to-cleanse-my-palate-i-dove-into-some-good-ol-chips-and-guac-1-49-.jpg)
The chips were crispy. Not gourmet by any means, but they hit the spot.
![The chips were crispy. Not gourmet by any means, but they hit the spot.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959611,width-700,height-525,imgsize-239691/the-chips-were-crispy-not-gourmet-by-any-means-but-they-hit-the-spot-.jpg)
As did the guac. Soft and buttery, the guac was easy to eat and went well with the crunchy, salty chips.
![As did the guac. Soft and buttery, the guac was easy to eat and went well with the crunchy, salty chips.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959609,width-700,height-525,imgsize-188709/as-did-the-guac-soft-and-buttery-the-guac-was-easy-to-eat-and-went-well-with-the-crunchy-salty-chips-.jpg)
Finally, I moved on to the "kitchen crafted" tacos, which are currently a test menu item. I'd ordered one of each.
![Finally, I moved on to the "kitchen crafted" tacos, which are currently a test menu item. I](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959607,width-700,height-525,imgsize-372673/finally-i-moved-on-to-the-kitchen-crafted-tacos-which-are-currently-a-test-menu-item-id-ordered-one-of-each-.jpg)
I started off with the steakhouse taco, which cost $2.69.
![I started off with the steakhouse taco, which cost $2.69.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959606,width-700,height-525,imgsize-396486/i-started-off-with-the-steakhouse-taco-which-cost-2-69-.jpg)
Never before have I used the word "rancid" in a review. But that's how I'd describe the spicy mayo on this taco.
![Never before have I used the word "rancid" in a review. But that](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959605,width-700,height-525,imgsize-246109/never-before-have-i-used-the-word-rancid-in-a-review-but-thats-how-id-describe-the-spicy-mayo-on-this-taco-.jpg)
The beef just wasn't good. It was chewy and tasted kind of off. The fresh toppings were fine, however, and I appreciated the inclusion of fries.
![The beef just wasn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959604,width-700,height-525,imgsize-272849/the-beef-just-wasnt-good-it-was-chewy-and-tasted-kind-of-off-the-fresh-toppings-were-fine-however-and-i-appreciated-the-inclusion-of-fries-.jpg)
I still had three more tacos to go, and my first bite had made me apprehensive.
![I still had three more tacos to go, and my first bite had made me apprehensive.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959603,width-700,height-525,imgsize-543265/i-still-had-three-more-tacos-to-go-and-my-first-bite-had-made-me-apprehensive-.jpg)
Next, I tried the chimichurri steak taco ($2.49).
![Next, I tried the chimichurri steak taco ($2.49).](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959602,width-700,height-525,imgsize-366647/next-i-tried-the-chimichurri-steak-taco-2-49-.jpg)
Again, the toppings were great. I loved the tortillas, pickled onions, cilantro, and shredded cabbage.
![Again, the toppings were great. I loved the tortillas, pickled onions, cilantro, and shredded cabbage.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959598,width-700,height-525,imgsize-310658/again-the-toppings-were-great-i-loved-the-tortillas-pickled-onions-cilantro-and-shredded-cabbage-.jpg)
But the beef just tasted bad. I guess that's why adding Beyond meat to Del Taco's menu made sense: the meatless "beef" isn't much of a downgrade.
![But the beef just tasted bad. I guess that](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959596,width-700,height-525,imgsize-249471/but-the-beef-just-tasted-bad-i-guess-thats-why-adding-beyond-meat-to-del-tacos-menu-made-sense-the-meatless-beef-isnt-much-of-a-downgrade-.jpg)
I don't even want to talk about the chicken guac taco ($2.19). Again, the toppings were great. The chicken was just bad — over-salted yet bland, and definitely not fresh.
![I don](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959595,width-700,height-525,imgsize-366165/i-dont-even-want-to-talk-about-the-chicken-guac-taco-2-19-again-the-toppings-were-great-the-chicken-was-just-bad-over-salted-yet-bland-and-definitely-not-fresh-.jpg)
One bright spot, surprisingly, was the beachside fish taco ($2.89).
![One bright spot, surprisingly, was the beachside fish taco ($2.89).](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959594,width-700,height-525,imgsize-347421/one-bright-spot-surprisingly-was-the-beachside-fish-taco-2-89-.jpg)
The fried fish slab was relatively inoffensive, and the addition of guac to the taco's quality toppings made for a pretty delicious bite.
![The fried fish slab was relatively inoffensive, and the addition of guac to the taco](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959591,width-700,height-525,imgsize-229776/the-fried-fish-slab-was-relatively-inoffensive-and-the-addition-of-guac-to-the-tacos-quality-toppings-made-for-a-pretty-delicious-bite-.jpg)
There was no denying that this was surprisingly delicious for a fast-food taco. But for the same $3, I could get a much fresher and tastier taco from a truck or a mom-and-pop.
![There was no denying that this was surprisingly delicious for a fast-food taco. But for the same $3, I could get a much fresher and tastier taco from a truck or a mom-and-pop.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959590,width-700,height-525,imgsize-238786/there-was-no-denying-that-this-was-surprisingly-delicious-for-a-fast-food-taco-but-for-the-same-3-i-could-get-a-much-fresher-and-tastier-taco-from-a-truck-or-a-mom-and-pop-.jpg)
Despite some surprising bright spots — the fish taco, churro, and guac and chips — my meal at Del Taco was overall one of the worst I've had in a long time.
![Despite some surprising bright spots — the fish taco, churro, and guac and chips — my meal at Del Taco was overall one of the worst I](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959588,width-700,height-525,imgsize-335093/despite-some-surprising-bright-spots-the-fish-taco-churro-and-guac-and-chips-my-meal-at-del-taco-was-overall-one-of-the-worst-ive-had-in-a-long-time-.jpg)
The chain's sprawling menu, although intriguing, is probably its biggest weakness. With that many ingredients and flavor combinations to keep track of, Del Taco is setting itself up for failure. If it wants to stand a chance against the competition, it would benefit from a major menu revamp.
![The chain](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-72959585,width-700,height-525,imgsize-303220/the-chains-sprawling-menu-although-intriguing-is-probably-its-biggest-weakness-with-that-many-ingredients-and-flavor-combinations-to-keep-track-of-del-taco-is-setting-itself-up-for-failure-if-it-wants-to-stand-a-chance-against-the-competition-it-would-benefit-from-a-major-menu-revamp-.jpg)
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