I went inside Taco Bell's California headquarters where new menu items are tested and the Live Mas flag flies

Mary MeisenzahlAug 26, 2022, 21:28 IST

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Taco Bell invited me for a taste test and tour of its headquarters.
I tried the new vegetarian protein on my favorite Taco Bell items.

I visited Taco Bell's Southern California headquarters to go behind the scenes of one of the most popular fast food chains in the world.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I already knew I was in the right place because I spotted the "Live Mas" flag, flying next to the US and California flags.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The headquarters are located at 1 Glen Bell Way in Irvine, named after the chain's founder.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The bell logo appears everywhere, starting with the door handles at the main entrance.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I entered the lobby to sign in, where I was greeted by a large screen welcoming visitors.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The lobby had several small seating areas with tables for coffee or quick meetings.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I took an elevator upstairs, and walked through these graffiti-style doors that said "tacos tacos tacos."

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There was a fountain machine outside the test kitchen with Pepsi products that are usually available at Taco Bell restaurants.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I was tempted to get my usual Baja Blast, but I opted to try the Dragon Paradise sparkling iced tea.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The art work reminiscent of street art was present throughout the test kitchen area, like this purple, blue, and white bell logo.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The artwork highlighted iconic Taco Bell items, like the Crunchwrap Supreme, tacos, and hot sauces.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

My tour guide took me to the test kitchen, where I tried the chain's new vegan soy and pea protein.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I tried the vegan protein on the Crispy Melt Taco, Nachos BellGrande, and Crunchwrap Supreme.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The tasting room had a kitchen line with the same ingredients as restaurants, where workers were on hand to make whatever off-menu combinations I wanted to try...

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

...like a spicy potato taco with pea protein.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Down the hall is another test room key to the addition of new menu items.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Testers sit at each desk, separated by panels so their decisions aren't impacted by others.

Kate Taylor

They compare two dishes, which are given to them through slots in the wall, and share their thoughts with the development team.

Kate Taylor

I went to the cafeteria, which at first glance looked like the average office seating area.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There were tables and chairs for workers to eat lunch, and a separate lounge area accessible through the cafeteria.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

When I looked closer, there were Taco Bell specific details everywhere, like hot sauce packets on the wall.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Art installations all over the cafeteria referenced the bell logo.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

According to menus posted on tables, Tuesday is taco Tuesday, and Taco Bell employees get free lunch on Thursdays.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The far side of the cafeteria also has a gift shop where employees can buy branded merch...

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

...including hats, t-shirts, and sweatshirts.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I spotted this piece of art, referencing the iconic design of the original Taco Bell.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

A large hallway back near the lobby pays tribute to Taco Bell's iconic history.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

An original menu is posted, with just six items, each listed at 19 cents.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There were photos and memorabilia from different eras in Taco Bell's history.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

My personal favorite was a display of photos and stuffed animals of Gidget, Taco Bell's famous chihuahua mascot.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

When I left the building, my tour wasn't quite over yet.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The original Taco Bell restaurant, which was brought in for the chains 60th anniversary party, was in an unassuming parking lot right behind the office.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I went to Taco Bell's test kitchen and tried its new plant-based protein. It was one of the best fast food meals I've ever had.

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I went inside Taco Bell's California headquarters where new menu items are tested and the Live Mas flag flies

I visited Taco Bell's Southern California headquarters to go behind the scenes of one of the most popular fast food chains in the world.

I already knew I was in the right place because I spotted the "Live Mas" flag, flying next to the US and California flags.

The headquarters are located at 1 Glen Bell Way in Irvine, named after the chain's founder.

The bell logo appears everywhere, starting with the door handles at the main entrance.

I entered the lobby to sign in, where I was greeted by a large screen welcoming visitors.

The lobby had several small seating areas with tables for coffee or quick meetings.

I took an elevator upstairs, and walked through these graffiti-style doors that said "tacos tacos tacos."

There was a fountain machine outside the test kitchen with Pepsi products that are usually available at Taco Bell restaurants.

I was tempted to get my usual Baja Blast, but I opted to try the Dragon Paradise sparkling iced tea.

The art work reminiscent of street art was present throughout the test kitchen area, like this purple, blue, and white bell logo.

The artwork highlighted iconic Taco Bell items, like the Crunchwrap Supreme, tacos, and hot sauces.

My tour guide took me to the test kitchen, where I tried the chain's new vegan soy and pea protein.

I tried the vegan protein on the Crispy Melt Taco, Nachos BellGrande, and Crunchwrap Supreme.

The tasting room had a kitchen line with the same ingredients as restaurants, where workers were on hand to make whatever off-menu combinations I wanted to try...

...like a spicy potato taco with pea protein.

Down the hall is another test room key to the addition of new menu items.

Testers sit at each desk, separated by panels so their decisions aren't impacted by others.

They compare two dishes, which are given to them through slots in the wall, and share their thoughts with the development team.

I went to the cafeteria, which at first glance looked like the average office seating area.

There were tables and chairs for workers to eat lunch, and a separate lounge area accessible through the cafeteria.

When I looked closer, there were Taco Bell specific details everywhere, like hot sauce packets on the wall.

Art installations all over the cafeteria referenced the bell logo.

According to menus posted on tables, Tuesday is taco Tuesday, and Taco Bell employees get free lunch on Thursdays.

The far side of the cafeteria also has a gift shop where employees can buy branded merch...

...including hats, t-shirts, and sweatshirts.

I spotted this piece of art, referencing the iconic design of the original Taco Bell.

A large hallway back near the lobby pays tribute to Taco Bell's iconic history.

An original menu is posted, with just six items, each listed at 19 cents.

There were photos and memorabilia from different eras in Taco Bell's history.

My personal favorite was a display of photos and stuffed animals of Gidget, Taco Bell's famous chihuahua mascot.

When I left the building, my tour wasn't quite over yet.

The original Taco Bell restaurant, which was brought in for the chains 60th anniversary party, was in an unassuming parking lot right behind the office.