Taco Bell — Restaurant in Elk River

Its Taco Bell in Elk River and as I recall it opened in like 1995/1996.....and the interior has not changed since.

The interior is done in a classic Insane Clown does Novajo Painting style. Complete with bright harsh interior who's tables and seating are made out of hard plastic and steel concreted into the floor. Saying "You got your food. You really should leave".

Building on the "Insane Clown Theme" there is WiFi. And much like a Haunted House, you can enter (join WiFi) but you can't leave (browse the web). Sure you can get a "Agreement Screen"....but anything else, like basic browsing, you swear you hear a 33.6kbps modem screeching from the back.

The employees: Are actually quite wonderful. They are a hardy group. Who, having to work/live in this 1990's fluorescent mad house, are suprisingly kind, polite, and will work hard to correct mistakes or issues that they can (unfortunately they can do nothing for the Building or WiFi).

The food: Its not bad. Your eating Taco Bell. Its not going to be Korean BBQ Fusion inspired Tacos or whatever you would normally pay $10 per taco. Its Taco Bell....and for what you pay its respectable, if you keep that in mind. My food has always been hot and correct. But it could be because I was 36oz into a Mt. Dew Sangria Blast coma. I had become one with the Taco Bell. The Nacho Cheese items are pretty good.

The only plus is if you like a series of Mountain Dews to match the Insane Asylum interior. There are four Mt. Dew flavors: Standard Mountain Dew and Diet Standard Mountain Dew.

Then there is

Diet Baja Blast - Lime (not bad) Sangria Blast - Delicious Blood Red cup of Mountain Dew (fits nicely with the terrible interior of the restaurant)

Then it gets crazy with the frozen drinks.

But at least they do appriciate the customers who are in wheel chairs because the soda machine does have wheel chair accessible buttons on it.

I like to push those to feel that I am the Giant from Gulliver's Travels.

The Bathrooms - They are always suprisingly clean but you can feel the Grey Walls with Fluorescent Strips closing in on you......

Drive Thru - I never use the drive thru....that would...

I come here about once or twice a week. This place has been a "go-to" for quite awhile. Staff are super friendly every time we go in. But unfortunately, this place is going in the wrong direction. I don't know if it's new management but here's the problem.

If you want to dine-in, good luck. It's literally faster to go through the drive-through and bring your food inside. Trust me, I've done it, several times.

There's almost never anyone working the register. They have two kiosks to help with that, but that leads to problem number 2.

The kiosks aren't updated. The screen says "Try our new chicken rolled tacos" but then when you go on the kiosk to order, they're not there. So then you wait 5 minutes before anyone even sees you at the register. Even when they see you, they ignore you until you say something.

Problem 3, the app is the same way as the kiosk. More than half the time they don't offer regular Baja Blast and only diet. But when you get to the location, they offer it. Same with food items.

Most would say that it's a problem with the computers and not staff however, you go to the Taco Bell in Rogers and everything is up to date and working. Staff help you when you walk in to dine-in as well.

Sad to say but go to Rogers Taco Bell if you're not in a rush until they get...

Review broken down into three sections:

Food: 5 stars. I've been going to Chipotle and Qdoba a lot the last few years but honestly the food tastes better here (and you can't beat the price!)

People: 5 stars. I wish I knew the name of the lady that was working here so she would get extra recognition. She didn't rush when I wasn't sure what I wanted to order. When I was done eating, she came by and collected the tray. I'm more than happy to take it to the trash area, but bonus points for her!

Bathroom: 3 stars. I'm a germaphobe, so I was a bit weirded out that to wash my hands, I had to go out the front door--and then there's no way to avoid touching the disgusting (to me!) main door handle to get back into the restaurant. And the bathroom only has a hot air dryer, so I couldn't take a couple of paper towels to use to open the door with.

Bottom line: 4 stars. if you don't care about the bathroom being "sort of outside", I definitely recommend! Great food, great price,...