Taco Bell Westgate — Restaurant in Henderson-Massey

Taco Bell in Westgate is a relatively new addition to the area, having opened its doors within the last few years. As someone who enjoys the occasional fast-food indulgence, I was excited to try this location. Overall, my experience was a mixed bag—there were some highlights, but also a few areas that left much to be desired. I’d give it a solid 4 stars, as it’s fine for a quick bite but definitely has room for improvement.

Let’s start with the positives: the food. The tacos, as always, are the star of the show. They’re flavorful, satisfying, and hit the spot when you’re craving something quick and tasty. The Crunchy Tacos were perfectly crispy, and the fillings were fresh and well-portioned. I also tried the Cheesy Gordita Crunch, which was as delicious as I remembered from other Taco Bell locations—soft, cheesy, and with just the right amount of crunch. The Baja Blast, a Taco Bell classic, was refreshing and exactly what I needed to wash down the meal. The menu offers a great variety of options, and the prices are reasonable for the portion sizes, which is always a plus.

However, the experience was dampened by a few significant issues, the most glaring of which was the cleanliness—or lack thereof. When I walked in, I noticed that several tables had trays left behind from previous customers, and it didn’t seem like the staff were in a hurry to clear them. I ended up sitting at a table that still had crumbs and a bit of sauce residue, which wasn’t the most appetizing start to my meal. For a newly opened location, I expected better upkeep. The floors also looked like they hadn’t been swept in a while, with a few stray napkins and food bits scattered around. Cleanliness is a big deal for me, and this aspect really needs massive improvement.

Another downside was the parking situation. The lot outside is quite limited, and during peak hours, it can be a bit of a hassle to find a spot. I ended up parking farther away and walking, which wasn’t the end of the world, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re planning to visit during busy times. A larger or better-organized parking area would make the experience much more convenient for customers.

One quirky feature of this location is the “happy bell” near the exit—a bell you’re supposed to ring if you’re satisfied with your experience. I didn’t pull the bell. While the food was good, the overall experience didn’t leave me feeling particularly thrilled. The cleanliness issues and the parking situation were enough to make me hesitate. That said, I appreciate the effort to engage customers and make the experience interactive.

The staff were friendly enough, though they seemed a bit overwhelmed during my visit. The line moved at a decent pace, but there was a slight delay in getting my order, which I didn’t mind too much since the food was fresh and hot when it arrived. Still, a bit more efficiency and attention to the dining area would go a long way.

In summary, Taco Bell in Westgate is a decent spot for a quick, tasty meal, especially if you’re a fan of their classic menu items. The tacos are yummy, and the variety of options ensures there’s something for everyone. However, the cleanliness of the dining area and the limited parking are notable drawbacks that prevent this location from being a 5-star experience. If they can address these issues, it would make a world of difference. For now, it’s a 4-star experience—good, but with clear room for...

Hate to act like a Karen, but… they truly earned this. And we truly don’t like to give bad reviews.

Went today with my wife for the first time in this branch. There wasn’t any mentioning anywhere that people with intolerances should go directly to the crew there (that by the way was barely approachable). All orders need to be through the computer screen by the customers. We took away any dairy ingredient that was mentioned in the menu. Left only the Chipotle sauce because it didn’t mention any dairy.

When the meal came, it was cold, let alone barely had any pieces of chicken. The chipotle sauce was thick and creamy. More like cheese than chipotle. I went to one of the workers there and asked whether it contains any dairy. He literally told me it doesn’t. I went back to my table and then again, it tasted horribly like dairy.

Went back to the staff. He then brought Chelsea, a young (probably manager of the shift). She told me to find my answers in the website. Didn’t even want to deal with me; as if she already had the response ready to shoot towards me. Didn’t give me any answers. I then tried to find on their website and when I went sharing and kindly asked her to help and direct me where to find ingredients in their website, she reluctantly tried to find on her own phone (rather my already opened browser). She couldn’t find on either phone. So she called her own manager, and he/she told her that this sauce does contain dairy.

Then she blamed me that I didn’t ask the staff in the first place. So I told her that I wouldn’t mind purchasing AGAIN the loaded nachos but WITHOUT the sauces and without the dairy ingredients that are originally mentioned in the meal’s ingredient list. Just to make it clear that I didn’t want to get any refund. As if I came as a new customer who actually asked them about any ingredients before the order process. Then, very similarly to the time and lack of professionalism before, she advised while on the phone with her own boss (that’s how it appeared to be) that ALL the meals have sauces and dairy ingredients in them, making me believe that I should not eat there.

Later on, my wife checked very thoroughly on their website and it looks that it is not true. They do have meals without dairy.

I honestly wouldn’t expect such lack of professionalism from a crew that is supposed to know their stuff and serve people with food. Food intolerances and allergies is a serious stuff and they need to know how to accommodate their clients.

I do hope that Taco Bell’s executives here in NZ actually look at the branch’s cameras’ videos to learn how to kindly treat and speak to a customer. I felt disrespected and that totally was not cool to that a legitimate diner in such manner. Can’t fail entire the team there, though, as they looked a bit hesitant with her presence and behaviour towards me. Some of them were really nice.

Sorry, you lost us as...

The food was pretty standard, as you'd probably expect across all stores in this franchise — but what truly made my visit stand out was the incredible service I received. On Saturday night, my server, Amie, was absolutely fantastic. From the moment I walked in, she made me feel welcome and completely at ease, even though I’d never been to Taco Bell before. She went above and beyond to explain the menu, patiently answered all my questions, and offered genuine recommendations to make sure I had the best experience possible. Her friendly, approachable attitude and attention to detail completely turned what could’ve been an average fast food stop into something memorable. Amie is exactly the kind of person you want front of house — professional, kind, and genuinely passionate about making customers feel looked after. If every store had an Amie, Taco Bell would be a five-star experience every time. If you’re going to go to any taco bell, come to this one when...