Del Taco — Restaurant in Vista

First of all, they are new, so temper your expectations. 2nd of all the drive thru is for suckers. figured that out in like 30 seconds based on no cars in the lot, 10 cars in line and no one inside, yet they still had 2 cashiers for inside… My guess for the first 6 months will be 50% slower than ordering from inside. Grow up Peter Pan.

It’s omw home from work, breweries, other things, so I’ve already come here more times than I’ll public admit. It’s new, it’s clean, there are some weird design notes that will seem weird. The hidden trash cans only on the ends of the 2nd inner island, the TV the mini alcove and the u turn to get into the drive thru and the entrance only in the first turn in. Staff is freshly trained and maybe not seasoned vets like at other places. They are a little over staffed, but they are enthusiastic. They don’t give me grief for ordering strange things like sides of queso, green sauce. They still need to focus in on their fries, they aren’t change the oil enough, so they overcook it to color. Everything is there, just maybe not quite where you’d expect it. I’m not a fan of the drive thru waiting area being so along the dining window

Prices are the same anywhere, but I stick to the same items like the Classic Chicken burrito, b&c green. Love that they carry Mr. Pibb. Del Scorcho over all the other sauces. One of the tricks is to get the burgers from these types of joints because over time the flat top gets more and more seasoned, so maybe I’ll start getting the burgers here in a few months.

The area needed some fast food once Taco Bell became a Starbucks and that McDonalds over the hill closes...

Edit as of 5/18/24: Times have changed and it's only fair that my review changes with it. It looks like things have improved across the board, although I now speak as a customer instead of an employee. Things seem to have settled into a healthier rhythm now that the place isn't "the Del Taco that just opened up".

Prior review (2 stars, 2019) The food and environment is certainly comparable to other Del Tacos in the area. Unfortunately, pretty much everything else that can be controlled at the franchise level is out of whack. Coupon policy is very unforgiving and senior veterans may be disappointed to see that they can't apply both senior and military discounts to their orders at once. The owner of the franchise is nowhere to be seen for weeks at a time, but insists on attempting to micromanage the location, using only what he can see through the cameras and reviews as input. The staff is a skeleton crew which contributes to long wait times and visibly lower worker morale (although I do have to complement the staff there, they do a lot of work under mediocre conditions and still deliver friendly service).

To potential customers, if you can spare the extra drive time, I would recommend visiting a different Del Taco if possible. You will get a comparable meal and a better coupon policy.

As a former employee who worked there for around 8 months, I would recommend applying to anywhere else before working here. The owner couldn't care less about his staff, and that only adds on to the general stress of fast food...

This is the competition for Taco Bell and Jack in the Box Mexican Food. But not a contender to take on a real "Tacoria" or a true Mexican Restaurant. It is a fast food get it when have a need for a quick bite of Mexican style food. I emphasize Mexican "style" as it cannot and does not compare to food prepared and served in Mexico or Baja or TJ as that is the "real deal" and not an American copy. I would have to say that it totally out performs Taco Bell. Their number 1 seller ... "The Dell Taco" is a really well made and tasty Taco, especially if you request the "Sour Creme" extra added item...The shell has just the right "crunch" for a. Corn Taco Shell.. However, do not try to warm it up in the microwave if you try to have for the next day. The whole thing "virtually collapses" and turns into a gooey mess. Much the same way a Taco Bell Taco is when served.... So just order exactly what you and your group will consume that same day you make the purchase. Also there are several whole dinner combo items that really make up a complete Mexican Food Meal with real "Dinner Sized Portions" ...They have a great variety of items. Alas ...a good Fish Taco is not nearly as good as those served at Rubio's who are the "front runners" for that category. 4 stars for Dell Taco...and they offer a military discount so it is a...