My Visit to Taco Time
I recently had the pleasure of stuffing my face at Taco Time, a spot that offers tasty Tex-Mex for all three of your daily meals. You see, I'm a major taco enthusiast, so when I found out about their variety of options to quench my Tex-Mex affairs, I almost did a little sombrero dance. The one thing that sets Taco Time a notch above your typical fast-food Tex-Mex places is their staunch belief in using high-quality ingredients. They live up to this commitment and you can taste the difference.
The roots of Taco Time go back to 1960 when this gem was discovered by Ron Fraedrick. Can you imagine, the first Taco Time store opened up around the corner from the University of Oregon? I mean, how lucky were those students! Soon enough, by 1962, the company ventured into franchising and initially expanded across the Western states. It reached our lovely northern neighbors in the late '70s marking its first international venture in Canada. From then to now, Taco Time prides itself on around 300 stores across the United States and Canada.
If you're vibing with my experience so far and want to explore what Taco Time has to offer, their website is jam-packed with details. Not to mention the regular updates about special promotions and discounts. Check them out at https://www.tacotime.com/
Can I Find a Taco Time Near Me?
With approximately 300 locations, Taco Time has spread its Tex-Mex charm in the United States, Canada, Netherlands, and Kuwait. Out of these, the U.S alone boasts 226 Taco Time stores with Canada playing catch-up at 74 locations. You can probably already guess the next question I'm going to answer, yes? Of course, you can find your nearest Taco Time store. Hop onto the company's website, type in your ZIP code and you're all set. The website also conveniently provides information like the store's opening hours.
Taco Time is dedicated to giving you an authentic Mexican taste. While they whip up your food quickly, rest assured, they do not compromise on the freshness and quality of their ingredients. In fact, they make their special sauces afresh every day at all their stores. Now that's commitment.
As you can imagine, the Taco Time menu is dominated by tacos, offering varieties like Crisp Tacos, Soft Tacos, and Super Soft Tacos. As the restaurant does its name justice, I had to try one. All their tacos are filled with seasoned beef, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. I asked for a soft taco and I was pleasantly surprised to find it loaded with refried pinto beans.
But folks, the Taco Time menu isn't just about tacos. Their burritos, in particular, stole my heart. They offer a choice of crisp which is deep-fried to a golden brown indulgence - filled with pinto beans, beef, or chicken. And yes, Taco Time does breakfast burritos. It's like the universe heard my personal cravings!
If you're a salad lover, Taco Time also caters to you with an array of fresh and flavorsome salads. I spotted Chicken Taco Salad, which comes with tender chicken, lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes, and dressed with your choice of dressing or fresh salsa. Additionally, they also serve quesadillas, nachos, and White Chicken Chili Soup.
For a wholesome meal, the Taco Time Combo Meals or Platters combine a taco or burrito with a side and drink. Sides are another highlight on the Taco Time menu with options like tasty Mexi-Fries (bite-sized potato gems seasoned in a special spice blend), empanadas, cinnamon crustos, fries, pinto beans, and rice.
Taco Time Opening Hours
Most Taco Time stores operate between 10:30 am and 10:00 pm, 6 days a week. Although many stores observe Sunday as a weekly-off, it's always a good idea to check in on individual store timings or head to the company's website.
Taco Time Delivery Service
Oh boy, isn’t this a dream? Taco Time food at your doorstep! It’s like a comfy Friday night with your favorite taco or a life-saver on busy weekdays when you just can't pull yourself together to cook. This is especially great for those (like me) who just don't feel like leaving the sofa on certain days. While delivery options differ from one Taco Time to another, make sure you communicate with your nearby store. Some spots allow orders directly through the company's website, and in some cases, orders can also be wound up through popular third-party apps and websites.
Who said little ones can't find love for tacos? Taco Time ensures that the tiny humans are catered to with options like soft burritos, crisp burritos, and quesadillas. Every kids' meal is served with a small side dish and a small soft drink or apple juice. How thoughtful!
Taco Time for Vegetarians?
Absolutely! Taco Time makes sure vegetarians find plenty of tasty meals on its menu. Some options are a veggie classic burrito, a pinto bean soft taco, a veggie chop salad and a veggie fit-hit bowl. Besides, there are quite a few side dishes that are suitable for vegetarians too.
For detailed nutritional information, you’ll find it on the company's website, or you can ask at your local store. I found this really helpful to keep my health-conscious self in check.
Gift a Taco Time Card
Want to spread the love for tacos to a family member or a friend? You can now buy Taco Time gift cards from participating stores or even online. Imagine being the reason behind someone's hearty taco meal, doesn't that feel good?
Is Taco Time Gluten-Free?
Although Taco Time doesn't sport a dedicated gluten-free menu, there are quite a few options on their menu suitable for gluten-avoiding folks. They have items like the Crisp Beef Taco, Chicken Baja Taco, Veggie Chop Salad, Chicken Chop Salad, and White Chicken Chili among others that are made using ingredients that don't contain gluten. However, if you're as serious about avoiding gluten as I am about my love for tacos, it's important to note that the company doesn't maintain 100% gluten-free kitchens. This means, cross-contamination could be a possibility. So, while you can enjoy a vast majority of their items, the signature Crustos dessert might be a heartbreak for the gluten-avoiding community. But hey, more room for tacos, right?
My Takeaway
Pros
- High-quality, fresh ingredients
- Extensive menu with an impressive variety of tacos
- Vegetarian-friendly
- Reasonably priced considering the quality of food
- Kids' menu
- Friendly staff
Cons
- No gluten-free dessert option
- Limited outdoor seating
- Portion sizes could be a bit larger