There are things in life that I will never figure out. One of those things is whether or not I like Taco Bell or Taco Bueno better. I’ve been a faithful consumer to each of these fine establishments for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is going to Bueno as a child. In Jr. High and High School, I “hit the border” every week with my friends before Wednesday Night Bible Study. When I moved to Abilene, I became accustomed to the heavy favoritism towards Bueno, mostly due to the fact that Bueno originated in that city.
These days, Bell is right around the corner from our apartment, so it’s definitely convenient. Bueno is a bit further away, but the greatness that is the Muchaco makes it well worth the drive. I hate to admit it, but distance often determines what fast food I eat the most often, so that means Bell is the most consumed by this guy, but I often find myself craving Bueno instead.
So what does this mean? Which is better? Sure, there are a vast variety of other establishments that can be regarded as greatness (Rosa’s, Taco Cabana, etc.), but let’s face it: when it comes to convenience of location and monetary value, Bell and Bueno are the juggernauts.
With that in mind, let’s go over what I consider the essential criteria for good food in the fast food/mexican cuisine category:
Chips - I like me some nachos, so chips are a big deal. Bueno wins in this area big time.
Queso - Good chips need good queso. Bueno wins again with their almost restaurant-quality recipe.
Beef - Tough call. Bell has very tasty beef, but it’s almost certainly due to grease. Bueno’s beef is not as flavorful, but it’s definately less greasy and more “real” in nature.
Beans - Close call again, but Bueno takes this one because they make their beans fresh every day and you usually can tell the difference.
Salsa - I love salsa, but I usually don’t require it when it comes to fast food. All things aside, Bueno wins again because it actually has some chunkiness and texture to it, rather than Bell’s “liquid in a packet” brand.
Signature Products - Bueno has the Muchaco, which, I have to say again, is greatness. They also have the Mexi-Dip and Chips, which is good stuff. Due to their great chips, you can also get some great nacho dishes there. But Bell has some really great stuff: the Mexican Pizza (yum), The Bean Burrito Especial, The Beef/Bean Combo Burrito, the Grilled Stufft Burrito, the Fiesta Chicken Bowl, the Chalupa, the Double Decker Taco…….I could go on. They have some really great products. Bell usually has the better Bean Burrito in my opinion. I think Bell definately has the best menu, but they don’t have the Muchaco.
Looking at this list, it’s pretty obvious that Bueno wins in almost every area due to authenticity, freshness, etc. But Bell has more variety and good options in their menu. So what’s a guy to do? Well, until either Bell steals the Muchaco and chip/queso recipe from Bueno, or Bueno gets a Mexican Pizza, I will have to do my best to balance between the two. I think the defining thought for me is, “Bueno is probably better, but sometimes you just want Bell”.
I’m with you. I prefer Bueno, but I’m not exclusive with it.
I think my favorite item on the Bell menu is the Mexi-melt. It’s a little expensive, and not well marketed, but dang if it ain’t delicious.
I’m partial to Bueno man. Maybe it’s my Abilene roots or those late night Taco Bell runs at 1:00 a.m. from Anderson Dorm that burned me out. You have to think beyond the bun.
I’ll give you the variety of choices on the Bell menu. You left out the Choco-Taco! They easily take the cake, but there has to come a point when they’re pushing the borders too far in creativity and still calling it Mexican Food.
I agree. ..Where I live, Bell and Bueno are across the street from eachother, so I can not use convenience as a selling point. I must grade on the criteria and cravings alone. I think a good meal would be a muchaco and a bell bean burrito (no onions, of course) I would have to disagree with you on the salsa point, though. I like a good chunky salsa and I’m not denying that Bueno has good salsa, but can’t do without mild sauce from Taco Bell. In fact, I’ve been known to use left over mild sauce packets on my muchaco.
Sounds like blasphemy to mix, but I think it just lends to perfection. I have way too many opinions on this!! I need a hobby.
I know I’m late on chiming in here…but…Katy and I talked about this on Friday. Hands down, Bueno is better. In fact, I haven’t eaten at Bell since I found Bueno years ago. Everything at Bell tastes exactly the same. So, the only reason to go to Bell would be to have the Bell taste…it doesn’t really matter what you order there. However, Rosa’s has definately won my heart! Taco Tuesday…need I say more?
Bueno…hands down. Raised in Abilene and I may be partial because of this, but I honestly think that the bueno bean burrito, muchaco, and mexi dips and chips make bueno the best choice.
Eat More Bueno!