Del Taco

Del Taco is an American-style Mexican fast food restaurant.  The restaurant serves classic Mexican dishes, which include tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos. The chain also serves American favorites, such as hamburgers, crinkle-cut fries, and milkshakes. The restaurant states that its menu items taste better than other restaurants because they are made to order and consist of fresh ingredients. Examples of the fresh ingredients include slow-cooked beans made from scratch, hand-grated cheddar cheese, hand-made pico de gallo, and freshly grilled marinated chicken.

In 2014, the chain launched its "UnFreshing Believable" campaign to celebrate its 50th anniversary. This campaign indicated the measures taken by the company to deliver quality made-to-order menu items created with freshly-prepared ingredients. The restaurant serves over three million guests each week. The establishment has been named as having the "Best Value for Your Money" in an annual survey on "America's Best Fast Food (and the Worst)" in the nation's leading consumer review magazine. The survey was based on the opinions of 96,000 diners who ate at 65 restaurant chains throughout the nation.

FOOD SIZE PRICE

Tacos & More

Beer Battered Fish Taco $2.29
Street Taco (Chicken) $1.99
Street Taco (Carne Asada Steak) $2.29
Turkey Taco (Crunchy or Soft) $1.39
Flatbread Taco (Chicken) $2.89
Flatbread Taco (Steak) $3.19
Chicken Cheddar or Chicken Spicy Jack Quesadilla $3.29
Cheddar or Spicy Jack Quesadilla $2.29
Nachos $1.29
Macho Nachos (Beef) $4.29
Macho Nachos (Chicken $4.69
Macho Nachos (Steak) $4.99

Specials

Carne Asada Street Taco $2.29
Carne Asada Street Taco - Meal $6.99
Carne Asada Combo Burrito $4.49
Carne Asada Combo Burrito - Meal $7.29

Burritos

Spicy Grilled Chicken Burrito $3.19
8 Layer Veggie Burrito $3.09
Classic Grilled Chicken Burrito $3.29
Del Combo Burrito $3.19
Del Beef Burrito $3.29

2 for $5

Get 2 of the Same Classic Burritos for 1 Low Price
Burritos 2 Pc. $5.00

Epic Burritos

Meal Includes Medium Drink
Epic Cali Steak & Guacamole Burrito $5.09
Epic Cali Steak & Guacamole Burrito - Meal $6.69
Epic Grilled Chicken Avocado Burrito $5.29
Epic Grilled Chicken Avocado Burrito - Meal $6.99
Epic Chicken Chipotle Ranch Burrito $5.29
Epic Chicken Chipotle Ranch Burrito - Meal $6.69
Epic Steak & Potato Burrito $5.29
Epic Steak & Potato Burrito - Meal $6.69
Epic Carne Asada Burrito (Limited Time) $6.29
Epic Carne Asada Burrito - Meal (Limited Time) $7.99

Handcrafted Ensaladas

Chicken Bacon Avocado Salad $5.49
Chicken Bacon Avocado Salad & Small Drink $6.99
Mexican Chopped Chicken Salad $5.49
Mexican Chopped Chicken Salad & Small Drink $6.99
Signature Taco Salad $5.49
Signature Taco Salad & Small Drink $6.99

Mini Cheddar Quesadilla $0.59
Regular Taco $0.69
Mini Bacon Quesadilla $0.79
Jacked Up Value Bean, Rice & Cheese Burrito $0.89
Freshly Made Bean & Cheese Cup $0.89
Chili Cheese Nachos $1.00
Crunchtada Tostada $1.00
Chicken Roller $1.00
Salsa Verde Nachos (Limited Time) $1.00
Salsa Fresca Chicken Taco (Limited Time) $1.00
Grilled Chicken Taco $1.00
1/2 lb. Bean & Cheese Burrito $1.00
Double Beef Classic Taco $1.00
Real Strawberry Lemonade $1.00
Brewed Iced Tea 30 oz. $1.00

Fresca Bowls

Pollo Asado with Avocado $4.79
Green Chile Chicken with Avocado $4.79
Avocado Veggie $4.09

American Grill

Double Del Cheeseburger $3.39
Bacon Double Del Cheeseburger $3.89
Del Cheeseburger $2.29
Cheeseburger $1.79
Deluxe Chili Cheddar Fries $3.29
Chili Cheddar Fries $2.99
Crinkle-Cut Fries Regular $1.79
Crinkle-Cut Fries Medium $1.99
Crinkle-Cut Fries Macho $2.49
Carne Asada Fries (Limited Time) $4.99

Quick Combos

Includes Small Drink and Fries. Medium Upgrade $0.59 & Macho Upgrade $1.19
2 Double Beef Classic Tacos & Cheddar Quesadilla $5.79
Del Combo Burrito $5.99
Classic Grilled Chicken Burrito $6.39
Double Del Cheeseburger $6.39
2 Grilled Chicken Tacos $5.29
2 Double Beef Classic Tacos $5.29
2 Beef Battered Fish Tacos $6.79
Spicy Grilled Chicken Burrito & Grilled Chicken Taco $6.79
Del Beef Burrito & Double Beef Classic Taco $6.79
Macho Combo Burrito $6.89
Macho Burrito $4.69

Fiesta Pack

6 Regular Tacos & 6 1/2 lb. Bean & Cheese Burritos $8.99
6 Classic Tacos & 6 1/2 lb. Bean & Cheese Burritos $11.99
6 Grilled Chicken Tacos & 6 1/2 lb. Bean & Cheese Burritos $11.99

Kid's Meals

Meal Includes Kid's Fries, Drink, & a Treat
Kid's Quesadilla Meal $3.59
Kid's Value Bean & Cheese Burrito Meal $3.59
Kid's Regular Taco Meal $3.59
Kid's Hamburger Meal $3.59

Desserts & Drinks

Cinnamon Churros $1.00
Caramel Cheesecake Bites 2 Pc. $2.39
Caramel Cheesecake Bites 4 Pc. $4.29
Chocolate Chip Cookies 1 Pc. $0.89
Chocolate Chip Cookies 3 Pc. $1.80
Bottled Water $1.49
Soft Drink Small $1.79
Soft Drink Medium $1.99
Soft Drink Macho $2.39
Premium Shakes (Vanilla, Strawberry, or Chocolate) $2.99

Breakfast

Egg & Cheese Breakfast Taco $0.79
Mini Bacon Quesadilla $0.79
Breakfast Burrito $0.89
Bacon Breakfast Taco $1.00
Sausage Breakfast Taco $1.00
Hashbrown Sticks 5 Pc. $1.00
Hashbrown Sticks 8 Pc. $1.50
Iced Prima Java Coffee $1.00
Bacon Breakfast Burrito $1.29
Minute Maid Orange Juice $1.69
Hot Prima Java Coffee $1.39
Milk $1.50
Carne Asada Breakfast Taco (Limited Time) $1.79
Epic Scrambler (Sausage or Bacon) $3.99
Epic Scrambler (Sausage or Bacon) - Meal $5.49
Epic Scrambler (Carne Asada Steak) $4.49
Epic Scrambler (Carne Asada Steak) - Meal $5.49
Bacon & Egg Quesadilla $2.59
Bacon & Egg Quesadilla - Meal $4.39
1/2 lb. Sausage or Bacon & Egg Burrito $3.09
1/2 lb. Sausage or Bacon & Egg Burrito - Meal $4.79
1/2 lb. Steak & Egg Burrito $3.59
1/2 lb. Steak & Egg Burrito - Meal $5.29
Egg & Cheese Burrito $2.29
Egg & Cheese Burrito - Meal $4.39

History

In September 16, 1964, Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson opened the first restaurant in Yermo, California. The restaurant was very successful. This success led to the opening of more restaurants. Dick Naugle soon joined Hackbarth and Jameson, and they established Red-E-Food Systems, Inc. to franchise the Del Taco brand. The chain expanded throughout the Southern California area. Dick Naugle left the company in the early 1970s.The company changed its name from Red-E-Food Systems to Del Taco, Inc. The establishment continued to grow rapidly.

In 1976, Jameson and Hackbarth sold the store to investors, who then sold the rights to use the Del Taco name in the U.S. to W.R Grace and Company. The establishment continued to expand and by 1978, there were 100 restaurants. The menu also expanded to include additional items such as the bun taco, quesadilla, and ice cream sundaes. In 1988, Del Taco merged with the Naugles' restaurant chain. Dick Naugle had started the Naugles' restaurant chain back in the 1970s. This merger allowed the chain to increase in size and geographic reach. The restaurant also started to stay open all night.

The establishment began to launch a series of initiatives to promote the brand's image and also improve the entire customer experience. These initiatives included new designs for the restaurants as well as the logo. The company regained its exclusive rights to its name from W. R. Grace and Company, after which it was able to expand outside of California. The company decided to open locations in the Las Vegas, Nevada, St. Louis, Missouri, and Northeast Corridor markets. The establishment doubled in size and by 2008, opened its 500th restaurant. The establishment also re-opened in Texas and Georgia and expanded into Colorado and the Pacific Northwest.

Unfortunately, Del Taco filed for bankruptcy in 1993. The combination of high cost leases and the three-million-dollar lawsuit from a former supplier, led to severe financial difficulty for the company. The company fluctuated in size between 1994 and 1998. The restaurant had decreased to 325 stores by December 1998. Sagittarius Brands, LLC purchased the establishment in 2004. By January 2008, the company had increased to 500 restaurants. On June 30, 2015, Levy Acquisition Corporation purchased the company. The establishment went public on that day. Today, the chain has numerous locations throughout the United States, primarily in the Western region.

Review

The menu offers a variety of food items, consisting of both Mexican and American favorites. Mexican favorites include classic items such as tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and fresca bowls. American favorites are found mostly under the "American Grill" section, which include hamburgers, cheeseburgers and fries. There are also handcrafted salads, desserts and milkshakes. The chain also serves breakfast food both individually and as a combo. There is also a kids menu for children. The chain also provides a practical and convenient "Buck and Under" menu, which consists of items starting at 59 cents.

The tacos are priced between $1 and $5, and come in many different types. These include the Street Tacos, Flatbread Tacos, Beer Battered Fish Taco, Turkey Taco, Double Beef Classic Taco, Grilled Chicken Taco, Regular Taco, Salsa Fresca Chicken Taco. The burritos are priced between $3 and $4, and also come in many different types. The different types of burritos include the Epic Carne Asada Burrito, Epic Grilled Chicken Avocado Burrito, Epic Steak and Potato Burrito, Epic Chicken Chipotle Ranch Burrito, Epic Cali Steak and Guac Burrito, Del Combo Burrito, Del Beef Burrito, Eight Layer Veggie Burrito, Classic Grilled Chicken Burrito, and many others.

The American Grill includes the Double Del Cheeseburger, Bacon Double Del Cheeseburger, regular Cheeseburger, Carne Asada Fries, Deluxe Chili Cheddar Fries, Chili Cheddar Fries, and Crinkle Cut Fries. Items under the American Grill range from $3 to $4. Breakfast foods are priced between $1 and $5, and include the bacon and egg quesadilla, egg and cheese burrito, breakfast burrito, bacon breakfast burrito, Epic Scrambler, Breakfast Tacos, Bacon and Egg Quesadilla Meal, and the Egg and Cheese Burrito Meal.

Handcrafted salads include the Chicken, Bacon, Avocado salad, Mexican Chopped Chicken salad, and the Signature Taco Salad. The salads are between $5 and $7. Fresca bowls are between $4 and $5. The Fresca bowls include the Pollo Asado with Avocado, the Green Chile Chicken with Avocado, and the Avocado Veggie. The Combos and Fiesta packs consist of various combinations of tacos and burritos, fries, and a beverage. The Combos and Fiesta packs are priced between $4 and $12. The tacos, burritos and fries are favorites. The fish tacos especially are highly recommended. The restaurant hours vary according to location, but quite a few restaurants are open 24 hours. The restaurants are clean and the service is quite friendly.