Taco Bell — Restaurant in California

I can understand being busy, and I do respect the employees for how hard and quick they have to work, but there is some level of incompetence with the employees or the training they receive from management at this particular location.

I purchased only 2 food items, a burrito and their new "shredded beef dipping taco". Nobody was in front of me in the drive-thru, just potential delivery and dine in orders, but I waited around 15 minutes for my food, while waiting at the window there was zero interaction from the order taker, and at one point it seemed everything came to a halt or there was an issue of some sort. But I was left wondering. Then when I finally received my food, it seemed fine in terms of quantity of items.

But then when I arrived home, I ate half of a chicken burrito and alot of the chicken was very dry and seemingly dehydrated, even harder to chew than jerky. Then the other half had almost no chicken.. To make matters worse, when I opened up my new "Shredded Beef Grilled Cheese Dipping Taco" it wasn't even the correct shell, it was supposed to be the plump, crisp, white corn shell they have sometimes. But I received the very chewy, flat, stale, typical yellow corn shell that they always have. It was gross.

I'd like to think it was a supply issue and not a lack of awareness or training of the employees, but the fact it was the first day of the release and they did infact have the new shredded beef, it just wouldn't make much sense if that were the case.

Unfortunately as much as I don't want to drive extra miles to get an 'enjoyable' Taco Bell meal, it seems as if there is no choice, due to the consistency of disappointment received from this particular location. For...

This Taco Bell promotes FALSE ADVERTISING. I was in the Drive thru and the sign said "Free Chicken Cantina Taco" if you get the App and sign up for the Taco Bell Rewards. When I asked the drive through employee about it, he didn't have a clue and would offer no assistance (with the new wage increase one would think we could get better service but nah!) Anyway, I couldn't figure it out and I didn't have my wallet so no taco for me..Until, I tried again after smelling the aroma of tacos and leaving empty handed.

I finally got the App to work and I went through the Drive Thru again. The message on the App said "to pull up and give my name and my order will be ready." So, I do just that. Except, I get the low level sexist (says he's a manager) Ben who refuses to give me my taco. He claimed that "they" the employees don't like the app (so, what does that have to do with me). After my order didn't "show up" I literally show him the screen on my phone that I am entitled to a free taco and he changed the story to that "I have to put in a payment method." So, Ben, tries to convince me that I am forced to put in a credit card for a FREE ITEM. The App said nothing of the sort. I wasn't born yesterday and if I was a man, I would have left with my taco guaranteed. I told Ben if I was the owner of this Franchise, he would no longer have a job. He should have just given me my taco and what Taco Bell advertised, instead, now I'm having to tell the World about...

Actually, there might not be anything wrong with Taco Bell; it might just be me. I try them again .like, once a year. And my dislike of their heavy yule log-like burritos (with nary a veggie in sight) is confirmed every time. I couldn't taste the steak for the melted-cheese-and-sauce-mess it was suspended in. The avocado was brownish and funny-tasting and the rice was flavorless.

I feared this outcome so I got a chicken taco back-up, just in case. It was small and light as a feather--the opposite of the steak burrito--but unfortunately no better tasting. The chicken was shredded and seasoned with something I suppose is supposed to taste like Mexican food but was instead cumin-y and strong and boring. The cheese in this case wasn't melted at all, but it might as well have been grated carrot, for all its (non) flavor. there was nothing else on it--no sour cream or pico--nothing. Very dry.

However, I did get a coffee--which was delish; better than McDonald's coffee, imo. And I tried the (clearly sinfully fattening) Cinnabon blobs (or whatever they're called) and I must report that--with the coffee--were pretty darn incredible.

So, my supper sucked. But my dessert was to die for. And the kids who took my order were--as always--sweet as can be. They must have some smart hiring managers at Taco Bell. Now if they'd just improve...