Then and now: Taco Bell a mainstay in SLT
Fast food in South Lake Tahoe has been around for decades.
Taco Bell has had a presence in South Lake Tahoe for more than 40 years. Photos/Bill Kingman
South Lake Tahoe’s original Taco Bell opened in the late 1960s or early 1970s in an adobe brick with tile roof Spanish classic building. This is what most Taco Bells looked like at the time.
The original Taco Bell was destroyed in 2006 and rebuilt.
Nearly 40 years later, it was time for a new, larger Taco Bell. An effort was made to save as many trees as possible.
Same food, different physical look.
Reversing its footprint, now parking is at the left and Taco Bell is right behind the big front tree.
— Bill Kingman
Bill, Yes, the mighty Taco Bell. When it first opened there was a circular gas fired pit out front blazin’ away. I’d go there for a taco and a burrito to go, with lots of packets of hot sauce and go eat at Regan Beach, hanging out with my friends.
The original ownwers of Taco Bell later opened a lighting store selling lamps and over head lighting and such on the corner of third street and 50.
Think I’ll have a burrito for breakfast this mornin’.
Thanks Bill,OLS
I remember the outside picnic tables that the old Taco Bell had. Wish they would bring them back! It made for friendly conversation with others on a nice day!
Personally, my “Then & Now” favorite is just down the block – the original “Jimboys” (where Izzy’s is now) – sure, they were greasy, but they were sooo good, with flavor that the “chains’ don’t have. . .there is still one in Placerville & Reno, I think. . .