Taco Time NW — Restaurant in Kelso

One star experience.

What I had been through on the afternoon of December 1, 2019 around 1 pm should not happen to anyone who are hungry and wanted to buy meal to eat. I was denied of service at Taco Time by the interstate 5 in Kelso, WA for no clear reason. The cashier kept saying no to my order of number 1 combo for more than three times. I hope the denied of service was not due to my ethnicity.

I walked into the store, looked up at the menu for about a minute and then approached to the counter to order number 1. The cashier looked at me and said "no". I was bewildered and amused, I thought she was being sarcastic. I followed up with saying "Number 1 combo (please)". She again said "No". I thought the menu item number 1 was no longer available, and so I looked up the menu to check it again. It was still available. I repeat the order of number 1 and still received a "No". I thought she say "closed", I looked around the lobby, it was opened. I repeated the order of number 1 combo. We look at each other for about 15 seconds. I was waiting for her to ask me a follow up question. (15 seconds staring face to face was an eternity).I was confused. I was hungry. Her face was turning red. She finally keyed the ordering screen with her finger and asked me "chicken or beef?". I was very happy for a second because my order was being acknowledged. But the momentarily happiness turned into anger because I realized what just happened. I walked out of the store.

Thirty minutes later, I returned to the store to look for an answer of why I was denied of service. I asked the cashier of why she said "No" to my order of number 1 combo for more than 3 times. I did not get a clear answer but got an apology from her.

I am Asian and the cashier was White.

Is this Taco Time's policy of denied service to Asian or it was an employee who went rogue? I thought this act only happen in another universe at another time not here and now.

When I will have an urge for a burrito, I think I will have a better luck at taco...

2025: busy. Staff don't seem bothered at all. Delicious and I am still bummed this is the closest to home.

Some are mad about hot sauce cups prepacked now but it's still as tasty as ever to me.

This location has the taco burger as a local favorite as well as something called a Green River?!?

Prior review: Okay, most of us are stuck with "TacoTime" which is kinda better than the two giants in the room, Del and Bell.

In Western Washington from Kelso-Longview north to the Canadian border, a unique arrangement brings Taco Time NW. These restaurants are similar but the owners are allowed to do things their own way.

Tonight I tried a limited time special, the taco burger. You could get it with chicken (I should have) or beans instead of ground beef. It was tasty, even though I forgot it is served with thousand island (or very similar) dressing.

I also got the crispy chicken burrito. I've realized there really is an ingredient difference between these and the main chain. These have better/more cheese and green chilies. The main chain's are more chicken and white onion focused.

Not sure why people say recipes are changing in some of these reviews? Everything seemed the same to me. The crisp meat burrito even takes me back to a school favorite, the "mini chimi."

Yes, it costs a little more but some things are worth it. My large and filling plate including tots, a ranch dressing, and a soda cup was ≈$15 pre tax.

This is a great roadside stop on I-5 with indoor and outdoor seating options, a clean and open dining area. Choose it over nearby options or drive to Longview's BurgerVille...

Worst EVERY!!! My daughter ordered a....I quote exactly....."a beef soft taco, no tomato." They gave her a natural soft taco. So we go and tell them, we ordered a regular soft taco, no tomato. She doesn't like the beans. Then they bring her ANOTHER natural soft taco, minus the beans. I get back in like and say I will happily pay for a regular soft taco....beef, no tomato. She was a royal witch and said she will just make her another one. Her attitude was rude beyond belief. So, when we leave, I go and thank her for making it right and she LITERALLY jerks her nose into the air, turns around and stomps off into the back. Never, ever, ever have I been treated in that manor. We owned a business with 85 employees. NEVER would I have allowed our employees to act that way. I would fired them on the spot had they acted in that manner. I will be calling the manager Monday morning! Never under any circumstances go to that Taco Time. What a shame. I have always been excited...