Taco Time NW — Restaurant in Maple Valley

This is a sad example of government destroying business. This review has little to do with this specific business and I know how important these reviews can be for a business. However, our experience at this specific business is very indicative of the sad state of our government. For the record, I was so frustrated by our experience that I wanted to give 1 star, but realized that the Franchisee of this location was the victim. I increased my rating to 3 stars to reflect my empathy for a business owner who is trying to make a living and to provide employment opportunities for workers. We used to live in the area and visited other Taco Time locations, but haven't been to one in a few years. It was our favorite fast food Mexican chain. They used to have large burritos that cost about $5 or so and had cheap simple smaller basic burritos for a few dollars. It was great. Fast forward a few years and the county government has adopted a living wage minimum wage, which is about $13 this year and $15 next year. These government people who probably have no concept of reality don't understand that a business has to pay taxes and benefits that actually means the business is paying $3-5 more per hour than the actual required living wage. Plus if they actually want good employees they have to pay more to attract and keep them. These government economists insist that this incredible cost of labor doesn't drive up prices or isn't inflationary. However, with every business having to raise prices to the customer to afford these insane policies, then it is inflation and the very people that are supposed to benefit from a "living wage" gets all the increased pay taken up by higher prices everywhere. Unfortunately, our first business, and really only one, we visited back in the area was this Taco Time and we were excited to get what we were used to getting a few years ago before this living wage idea was anything. However, the small basic burrito that used to be a few dollars now cost $8 and the larger burrito that used to cost $5 was no longer even on the menu. To get a value sides added increased the price upwards of $11. It was my 4 young boys and me and I simply could not justify paying these prices. Now there are some really dumb people that will claim that the business owner is profiteering and is making a killing off of these prices. Any sane person just feels bad for both the employees and the owner because no one is making money. We left very hungry after getting 5 basic burritos for $38. If I was the business owner I'd sell the business and invest in a community that is not run by socialists who have no sense of reality. I know, I'm going to get a lot of flack for this review. I apologize to the Franchisee and employees of this location because they don't deserve this review. For the record, the service was as good as expected and the food, despite being very small, tasted as good as expected. Needless to say, on the rest of our visit to Seattle, we didn't go to any other restaurants or businesses and just cooked our own food at our rental place. No one other than the grocery store got any money from us. Everyone loses including us who...

Really clean place and signs all over about fresh ingredients (2stars). I have tried Taco Time occasionally and so far food seems off. What had in front of me looked good, seems mostly lettuce in a wrap. Each bite was weird, like the bean paste had sand in it or some gritty substance. Supposed to have beef but best I can tell none. I am not going to give this place anymore tries. Each time no matter item something is off with the food.

Now the tater tots were fine and the fried burrito thing I think was fine. Based on signs on the wall. Everything should be real good. When I cook with fresh goods like vegetables never have a reaction like this to food. So something in either the weird gritty bean paste or something else. If passing through ill go next door instead.

Also side note, your prices are restaurant prices with less in return. Last time pretty sure it was more affordable. $12-15 avg meal cost wow. Cost of the items is maybe $3 altogether. Time to make is apparently 2-3 minutes so maybe cost of labor $2. How can fresh ingredients be this bad? Its...

I have been eating here at this location for a consistent 5 years, note that I also work in the fast food industry. My order was taken very poorly, did not confirm at menu or window, nor did she confirm pricing. She seemed to be new & undertrained, had absolutely no idea what to say or how to react to simple questions regarding my order. The manager stepped in & was incredibly rude as I was being very calm and sweet toned/understanding. I was trying to level with her just to make sure everything was right & basically got pushed out of the drive thru. This really hurt my feelings because I would never treat one of MY customers like that. & given that, If we did something like this it would not be tolerated. I know many employees here & previous....a lot of people around town that go here so I will make sure to warn them of having their day ruined by your drive thru. By the way the food made me sick, which is incredibly disappointing. I love taco time & have eaten here forever but this is just offsetting. Please...