As a kid, I participated in a market research survey on the early 90s Taco Bell rebranding. I remember wondering why anyone would want pink and purple - I preferred the new logos with the old color scheme. When the rebranding came out with the pink and purple I couldn't believe people chose that one in the market research! Of course we don't know how many people really preferred it, but it always seemed weird to me!
I love this so much! I remember exactly what the Taco Bell looked like in Grand Rapids MI in the 90s. Now living in South Florida I feel like there are some hidden gems that are minimally modernized. Great article. Loved reading!
Wonderful post, thank you! I miss the old "Alamo" style architecture designed by Robert McKay, but still consider Taco Bell my favorite fast-food restaurant. Lovely history.
My father worked for Taco Bell in the mid to late 90s (before that he was a franchisee for Burger King for many years, so I have a soft spot for both.)
I remember having never heard of it before, and then all of a sudden, having all sorts of clothing with the logos, and even having 100s of pins with the chihuahua that said "Yo Quiero Taco Bell." (I wish I had them to this day— my guess is my mother threw them away at some point to minimize the clutter of an 11 year old)
I remember a transitional time in the 90s and early 2000s with the signage.
Thank you Andee! I would have been in heaven as a kid (or as an adult, for that matter) with all that swag! If you have any interesting pictures from either store, please let me know!
I am away right now in Chicago but when I get back to New York, I have photos of the old Burger King! I'd be happy to share. Let me know the best method to send!
The Taco Bell photos are probably with my stepmother, so those I'll have to inquire about and get back to you.
BY THE WAY, did you see the glow-up of the Burger King on Delancey? I have photos from the pandemic and photos from yesterday. Wild transformation
As a kid, I participated in a market research survey on the early 90s Taco Bell rebranding. I remember wondering why anyone would want pink and purple - I preferred the new logos with the old color scheme. When the rebranding came out with the pink and purple I couldn't believe people chose that one in the market research! Of course we don't know how many people really preferred it, but it always seemed weird to me!
This is fascinating!! It's almost like THEY wanted the pink and purple and heard what they wanted to hear!
I love this so much! I remember exactly what the Taco Bell looked like in Grand Rapids MI in the 90s. Now living in South Florida I feel like there are some hidden gems that are minimally modernized. Great article. Loved reading!
Thank you Missi! I love finding those hidden gems -- will keep looking!
This Taco Bell in Chamblee, GA was previously D'Lites #2. If you look closely, you can see the D'Lites architecture such as the ribbed roof and support beams, and the vestibule in front of the entrance. https://www.google.com/maps/@33.9195844,-84.303922,3a,75y,155.96h,92.92t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sooF-dmT1RirSdQ3YVPSKGw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-2.9184066523518055%26panoid%3DooF-dmT1RirSdQ3YVPSKGw%26yaw%3D155.95559373236878!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMyNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Here's a good example of an original D'Lites https://www.flickr.com/photos/14006301@N07/4675119677/
and
https://images.yourmoneymagic.com/2022/08/b285638b-eakya7fxyau9fwr.jpg
Then there's the older version of the Sleeping Sombrero sign with a little guy under the sombrero in the red space, and individual incandescent lamps in a painted sarape instead of the backlit sarape. See https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/taco-bell-vintage-menu-advertisements/
I often wonder if the original sign caused Mexican-stereotype "Frito Bandito" vibes.
Wonderful post, thank you! I miss the old "Alamo" style architecture designed by Robert McKay, but still consider Taco Bell my favorite fast-food restaurant. Lovely history.
My father worked for Taco Bell in the mid to late 90s (before that he was a franchisee for Burger King for many years, so I have a soft spot for both.)
I remember having never heard of it before, and then all of a sudden, having all sorts of clothing with the logos, and even having 100s of pins with the chihuahua that said "Yo Quiero Taco Bell." (I wish I had them to this day— my guess is my mother threw them away at some point to minimize the clutter of an 11 year old)
I remember a transitional time in the 90s and early 2000s with the signage.
Love seeing your posts.
Thank you Andee! I would have been in heaven as a kid (or as an adult, for that matter) with all that swag! If you have any interesting pictures from either store, please let me know!
I am away right now in Chicago but when I get back to New York, I have photos of the old Burger King! I'd be happy to share. Let me know the best method to send!
The Taco Bell photos are probably with my stepmother, so those I'll have to inquire about and get back to you.
BY THE WAY, did you see the glow-up of the Burger King on Delancey? I have photos from the pandemic and photos from yesterday. Wild transformation
Sounds great on the pics and I did not see the glow-up! You can DM me pics whenever at my Instagram or at theretrologist AT gmail.com!
“Yo quiero Taco Bell” was iconic!! I remember me and my siblings all had t shirts! Ah… the 90s 💖.
Brilliant campaign, retired but still paying dividends!