Del Taco has always been one of those fast food places I’d heard about, but I live on the East Coast. I’ve never actually tried it, until today! I know Taco Bell and other Mexican-inspired chain restaurants well, so I wanted to see what the big deal was with this West Coast favorite that’s been around since the 1960s.
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My experience at Del Taco had some highs, and some lows. Unlike Taco Bell’s, Del Taco has burgers and fries on the menu. Ordering as a newbie felt both exciting and a little overwhelming (using the app helps). What really stood out was how different Del Taco feels from other fast-casual Mexican places.
The restaurant had a cleaner, almost upscale vibe—not what I expected. Their menu talks up fresh ingredients and made-to-order items, so I walked in with an open mind and a big appetite.
Tips for First-Time Del Taco Diners
If you’re new to Del Taco, try their signature mix of tacos and burritos. That’s the best way to get a feel for what they do.
If you’re looking for a deal (we ALWAYS are!) then we suggest the following:
- Get buy one, get one free offers on tacos and more with Del Taco app coupons. When you have the app and have logged in you’ll see Del Taco app coupons in the Offers tab. Click here for the Del Yeah Rewards page to download the app. Typical offers are buy one get one deals, free tacos with other purchase, and more.
- Del Taco has 3 Value Tacos for $2.49 every Tuesday, and 3 Grilled Chicken Tacos for $3.59 every Thursday at participating locations. Del Taco posted the deals here on their website.
There’s also a “bold” ordering hack: you can add fries and special sauce to anything. Worth knowing about, trust me.
Key Takeaways
- Del Taco’s menu is way wider than most taco chains—burgers, fries, tamales, and all the usual Mexican basics
- Quality jumps around between items: some are great (fish taco, churros), some not so much
- If it’s your first time, stick to Del Taco’s signature items and avoid those wild menu mashups
My First Impressions of Del Taco
When I walked into Del Taco, the Southwestern-themed decor and the emphasis on fresh ingredients immediately caught my eye. I liked how they kept the fresh tomatos, cheese, guac and other ingredients in a fridge in plain sight behind the counter.
The Southwestern theme really pops—warm colors, bold food imagery, all that. I saw signs everywhere about made-to-order food and fresh prep, which gave me some hope about the quality. The overall vibe? Pretty standard fast food, but those fresh ingredient messages do help Del Taco stand out a bit.
Service and Ordering Experience
The ordering process was straightforward, but using the electronic kiosks instead of the cashier sped tings up a bit. The menu is quite big – kind of intimidating, honestly. Tacos, burritos, burgers, even fish tacos, which you don’t see at all the competitor spots. Service was quick, especially given how busy they were (we arrived just as the noontime rush hit). My order came out in a decent amount of time, which is really all I want from fast food anyway. The price was reasonable, about on par with Taco Bell. Less than fast casual joints like Chipotle.
What I Ordered as a First Timer
I picked five items that hit all of Del Taco’s main menu categories. I wanted a good mix of classics and signature dishes to get the real Del Taco vibe.
Why I Picked These Menu Items
First up, the Del Taco—it just felt wrong not to try their signature taco. Then I went for a bean burrito with red sauce, since everyone online swears by it as a basic must-try.
The Del Cheeseburger caught my attention because, let’s be real, how many taco places do burgers too? I had to see if they could actually pull it off.
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I also grabbed the Epic Cali Bacon Burrito with carne asada. It looked like their premium option, plus it came with fries.
Last, I picked the Crispy Chicken soft taco. The chicken looked legit and I wanted to see how it stacked up to other chains.
First Bites and Reactions
The Del Taco was fine, honestly. The shell was crispy, meat had some flavor, but it tasted like a standard fast food taco. It came with a lot of cheese – which isn’t a bad thing in my book. The bean burrito was way better than I expected. Creamy beans, a red sauce with a nice kick, and it was bigger than I thought for the price.
The Del Cheeseburger let me down. The burger patty was thin, and the bun seemed a little stale. The fries were good, but not my favorite. I’m not the only hater of the burger, but apparently I am in the minority with the fries. They are generally held in high regard amongst fast food places. I guess I just prefer my fries to be thinner and crispier.
The Epic Cali Bacon Burrito? Massive, messy and delicious. The crispy chicken taco also quite tasty. Actual crispy chicken, fresh toppings. I’d order this again for sure.
Del Taco’s Signature Menu Items
Del Taco has some unique menu items that help it stand out. Their original taco, a big burrito selection, surprising burgers, and sweet churros all give the place its character.
Del Taco: The Original Taco
The Del Taco is where it all started in 1964. This isn’t just another hard shell taco.
Their original taco uses a soft flour tortilla stuffed with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. The meat has a different spice blend than what I’ve tasted at other chains.
What makes it stand out is the slightly sweet, thicker flour tortilla. The beef isn’t overly spicy, just mild and a little different.
They also have hard shell tacos, but the soft flour tortilla version is really the classic. A lot of people seem to stick with it for a reason.
Bean Burrito and Burrito Variety
Del Taco’s bean burrito is super popular—and cheap, at under $2. It’s packed with refried beans, red sauce, and cheese in a big flour tortilla.
For such a basic combo, it’s surprisingly filling. The beans taste fresh and not overly salty.
Their burrito lineup is way more than just beans. They have:
- Epic burritos—giant, loaded ones
- Chicken burritos—grilled or crispy chicken
- Steak burritos—with carne asada
- Combination burritos—mixing beans and meat
The burritos are big and actually require both hands. The tortillas hold up and don’t fall apart easily.
Burgers at a Taco Place?
Burgers at a taco joint? Yeah, I was surprised too. Del Taco actually serves regular burgers alongside all the Mexican food.
The Del Cheeseburger is their main burger: beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and special sauce on a sesame bun.
I gave it a shot and, honestly, it tastes like a basic fast food burger. Nothing fancy. The patty is thin, cooked well-done.
There’s also a double cheeseburger for the extra hungry. Burgers at a taco chain might seem odd, but I guess it keeps picky eaters happy.
Churros and the Shakes On The Sweet Side
Del Taco’s churros are the perfect little finish. They’re fried dough sticks rolled in cinnamon sugar, and they’re made fresh all day. I got the regular size—about 6 inches long. Crispy outside, warm and soft inside. They’re dusted with just enough cinnamon sugar. Not crazy sweet, but it hits the spot if you want dessert. The texture is really close to carnival churros. They even have chocolate sauce for dipping. Churros run about $1-2, depending on size. There aren’t many dessert options, but these are worth it.
We gotta talk about the shakes, people. Really tasty – better than most any fast food shake I’ve had. Keep it up Del Taco!
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Comparing Del Taco vs. Taco Bell
Del Taco and Taco Bell really do things differently. Del Taco leans into fresher ingredients and old-school items, while Taco Bell goes wild with creative inventions and bold flavors.
Menu Differences
The menus are night and day. Taco Bell gets weird with stuff like Doritos Locos Tacos and Crunchwrap Supreme. They basically invented wrapping tacos in more tacos.
Del Taco keeps it more traditional. They have street tacos and even tamales, plus burgers and crinkle-cut fries.
Here’s what stands out for each:
Taco Bell Specialties:
- Doritos Locos Tacos
- Chalupas
- Quesadillas with specialty sauces
- Power Bowls
Del Taco Exclusives:
- Street tacos
- Del Cheeseburger
- French fries
- Epic Burritos with fresh guac
Prices are close, but Del Taco seems to be a bit pricier.
Flavor and Quality
There are some real differences in taste. Del Taco’s ingredients come off fresher. Their beans actually look like beans, not just mush.
Taco Bell’s tacos have that warm, crispy crunch that’s hard to beat. Their meat seasoning is strong—maybe to cover up the mystery meat factor?
Del Taco’s burritos are bigger and feel more like something from a local taco shop. The guac actually tastes real.
Taco Bell’s specialty items are super fun, though. Those Doritos Locos Tacos are genius, even if they’re not exactly healthy.
The cheese situation is a little rough at both places. Del Taco’s cheese feels less fake than Taco Bell’s weird, gloopy stuff, but it’s not perfect either.
Which Fast Food Chain Wins?
Honestly, it depends what mood I’m in. If I want something creative and over-the-top, Taco Bell’s the move. Their Crunchwrap Supreme and wild tacos are just fun.
If I’m after actual food quality, Del Taco wins. Their burritos taste more like real Mexican food, and the portions are way bigger.
Taco Bell’s everywhere, so it’s more convenient. Their hard-shell tacos are better, and their digital ordering screens make customizing easy.
Del Taco really shines with burritos and their desserts, and anything with fresh ingredients.
My honest take? Del Taco for decent Mexican fast food, Taco Bell for late-night ridiculous cravings. Isn’t it nice to have options?
My Surprises (and Disappointments)
When I walked into Del Taco, my expectations were honestly pretty low. I figured it would be just another forgettable Mexican fast food chain.
What I actually found? Some hidden gems, but also a few letdowns.
Unexpected Favorites
The del cheeseburger totally caught me off guard. I didn’t even realize Del Taco made burgers until my Uber driver insisted I try one.
It came out juicy and loaded with cheese, and the veggies gave it a nice crunch. Honestly, it beat a lot of the big burger chains I’ve tried.
For $1.49, that bean burrito was a pleasant surprise too. It’s simple, but the flavor works. The red sauce really brought it together.
The crispy chicken taco also impressed me. For such a cheap price, it was filling and had a great texture.
And whoever dreamed up the stuffed quesadilla taco with queso blanco between two tortillas? Genius move.
The fish taco was a first for me at a fast food spot. Came with a lime wedge and some secret sauce. It was light, crispy, and a nice change from the heavier stuff.
Letdowns and Misses
The chili cheddar fries really let me down. They were the priciest thing I ordered, but honestly, not worth it. The toppings were fine, but the fries underneath just felt bland. For what they charge, you’d expect more.
I’ve also heard Del Taco’s quality swings wildly depending on the location. Some folks swear by their local spot, others say it’s awful. That inconsistency is a red flag for any chain.
Best Things to Try on Your First Visit
If you want to follow the TikTok crowd, get the “taco and burrito trio.” That’s a Del Taco with extra cheese, a bean burrito with green sauce, and a grilled chicken taco.
This combo gives you a good intro to their flavors. You get both soft and crunchy textures in one go.
For your first visit, I’d go for:
- Del Taco (the classic hard shell taco)
- Bean and cheese burrito
- Grilled chicken taco
If you want something more filling, try the taco salad with grilled chicken. It packs 26 grams of protein and doesn’t leave you feeling weighed down.
Don’t forget dessert. Their churros are a solid pick, especially dipped in a vanilla shake. That warm, crunchy/sweet combo with cold ice cream? So good.
Menu Hacks and Secret Tips
Here’s the big Del Taco hack: order anything “bold.” That means adding fries and special sauce to any menu item. It completely changes the game.
You can bold up burritos, tacos, or quesadillas. It turns something basic into something way more satisfying.
Other fun secret menu tricks:
- Wrap any epic burrito in a quesadilla (order both, then combine them yourself)
- Add green sauce to your burritos
- Order nachos with extra cheese and jalapeños
The quesadilla-wrapped burrito sounds wild, but it actually works. Order a plain quesadilla and an epic burrito, then just wrap them together at your table.
Most locations will let you customize your order if you ask nicely. Feel free to add or skip ingredients in your tacos, burritos, or quesadillas—usually no extra charge for the basics.
Frequently Asked Questions
After my first trip to Del Taco, I had a bunch of questions about what to order, how much it costs, and how it stacks up against other taco chains. Their habanero crispy chicken taco is apparently the top seller, and breakfast runs from 11 PM to 11 AM every day.
What are some must-try menu items at Del Taco?
The habanero crispy chicken taco is their most popular dish. If you want their best, start there.
Crispy chicken tacos and grilled chicken soft tacos are also solid picks for first-timers. The classic taco gives you a good sense of what Del Taco is all about.
Regulars rave about their breakfast items too. Steak and egg burritos, chicken quesadillas—both have fans.
If you’re on a budget, the bean rice cheese burritos and chicken rollers from the value menu are worth it. Even their burgers are better than you’d expect.
How does Del Taco compare to other fast-food taco chains?
Del Taco was the first to roll out the Beyond Taco, so they’re ahead on plant-based options. They focus a bit more on fresh Mexican food than just processed fast food.
Unlike Taco Bell, you can get burgers and fries alongside Mexican stuff here. That gives them a weirdly broad appeal.
Their breakfast hours are way longer than most places—11 PM to 11 AM. Not just mornings, which is handy if you’re a night owl.
Are there any vegan or vegetarian options on Del Taco’s menu?
The fries are vegan, and Del Taco keeps them crispy and hot. No animal ingredients sneaking in.
The beans work for vegetarian diets too. You can build your burritos or tacos around those.
They’ve got gluten-free options like their famous tacos and gourmet fries. People with dietary restrictions should be able to find something here.
What are the price ranges for meals at Del Taco?
There’s a Buck & Under Menu with five breakfast items. Great when you’re broke or just want something small.
The value menu covers things like crispy chicken tacos and bean rice cheese burritos, which are cheaper than the premium stuff.
If you want bigger portions and fancier ingredients, the loaded Cali burritos and fish tacos are at the higher end of their pricing.
Can you customize your order at Del Taco?
You can customize most things at Del Taco. People swap ingredients or add extras all the time.
They’ve got a secret menu with stuff like the Stoner Burrito and Green Bean Machine. You just have to know what to ask for, since it’s not on the regular menu.
The Go Bold option lets you boost the flavor on anything. The Bun Taco and Combo Cup are some other creative hacks people swear by.
Do they serve breakfast and what are the options?
Del Taco serves breakfast from 11 PM to 11 AM every day. This schedule covers both late-night cravings and early-morning hunger.
The breakfast menu features the Epic Scrambler Burrito and breakfast quesadillas. Honestly, those are the main draws if you ask around.
There are five choices on their Buck & Under breakfast menu. The sausage egg and cheese breakfast burrito seems to be a go-to for a lot of first-timers.
