17 Comments
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Will's avatar

There’s one at the corner of Prospect and College in Ft. Collins, CO that is in an old mission-style house. It’s not the original - the city made Taco Bell tear it down in the 90s, so Taco Bell bought the house next door and moved into it.

https://retro1025.com/fort-collins-taco-bell-prospect-road/

Rolando Pujol's avatar

Thank you! This is fascinating! I will weave this in.

Sunset Thunder's avatar

I lived in Lafayette in 1959-61 as a 3rd-4th grader and I’d swear there was a taco stand/restaurant in that area even then. Of course I was 8 or 9 years old and it was 65 years ago so memories are faulty…Anybody know if Spring Hill Elementary is still there?

Rolando Pujol's avatar

There likely was a stand in those days ... they were already spreading around the state. And I'm happy to confirm Springhill Elementary is still there!

Sunset Thunder's avatar

Thanks! We moved to DC in 1961 and I was last in Lafayette in 1989 so glad to something has remained from the olden days. Very little is left in DC from when I was a teen in the ‘60s…

Tamara Casey's avatar

I went to high school in Lafayette, CA. Used to eat at this Bell all the time. This is very sad to see.

Rolando Pujol's avatar

Truly is ... wish corporate would step in and say, save this! (This is why I will never sit anywhere near a corporate board. LOL.)

BurnedOut's avatar

Nice. Reminds me of ditching 3rd period and grabbing a couple green burritos.

Stephanie Leveene's avatar

We had a historical Taco Bell in my part of Hayward that became an independent taqueria. Unfortunately, around COVID time it got closed by the Board of Health, then was abandoned and became a magnet for graffiti, drug use, etc. It finally got torn down a year or so ago with nothing else in its place so far.

Rolando Pujol's avatar

Oh that is so sad! I was busy shooting things like Caspers and sadly missed this back in 2020.

guy zaczek's avatar

Sorry, this is OFF topic, but I will just mention it quickly.

There is a one of a kind resturant called "White Turkey" on the Ohio /PA border in a town called Coneaut, OH. It's only open in the summer, and it resembles a DQ with all the windows removed, featuring a three-sided counter that surrounds the servers.

Rolando Pujol's avatar

I must see this! Thanks for the tip!

Lloyd Grizzell's avatar

Who has the lease of the Lafayette, Ca property?

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Jan 16
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Rolando Pujol's avatar

Yes! Wish they'd embrace this in a few locations.

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Jan 15
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Rolando Pujol's avatar

Well said! These remaining buildings are so precious. Amazing that the best survivors are the former Taco Bells where subsequent occupants, perhaps accidentally, have been good stewards.

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Jan 15
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Rolando Pujol's avatar

Thank you and well said! It's so easy to conclude that was designed to look like TB but they are actually former TBs. How I love that Ventura example. Taqueria San Jose in Modesto is a former TB that's worth seeking out -- has the old school patio, seating, umbrella and firepit.