Taco Bell's Fast Food Origin Story | Lost LA | PBS SoCal

An unassuming Mexican restaurant in San Bernardino, Mitla Café, planted the seeds for two tortilla-based empires: Taco Bell and Del Taco. In this clip, Lost LA host Nathan Masters joins Los Angeles Times columnist Gustavo Arellano for tacos at this lesser-known landmark of fast food history in California's Inland Empire, an area where Mexicans were once segregated from whites.

Arellano explains how Taco Bell founder Glen Bell learned to make hard shell tacos and subsequently launched two other chain restaurant franchises, Del Taco and Der Wienerschnitzel.

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[BendiFaguette]

I’ve been reading Gustavo’s writing for twenty years now. He’s without a doubt one of my favorite writers. 👏👏👏

[JohnDoe-xmql]

We need more of this..
Great segment on beautiful historic goodness. 🌮 🌯 🌮 🌯

[michaelflores]

As a child, Every Sunday after church my family would come here and eat…I never knew its importance…I mean I’ve know it was well known but not to this extent…I felt real proud watching this…growing up in Colton, this was always so close…I live in Hollywood now and rarely visit, but seeing the video of the restaurant’s exterior and interior…brought tears to my eyes because I remember SO MANY times helping my Great Grandmother Esther down 6th street, eagerly waiting for Huevos Rancheros or bowl of menudo!… All my family taking a huge table and having the time of their lives while eating such good food…THANK YOU FOR THIS! brought me straight back to my childhood…

[Trickyricky]

Grew up in San Bernardino and have eaten at Mitla’s many times. Good food and family atmosphere.

[ericliveson]

i really loved this video, this guy has great energy! would love to see more of him in these videos

[Cooscoop]

Its so awesome to see how passionate that guy is aboit tacos. I feel the same way

[Becauseimme]

San Bernardino invented Fast Food, its a truly magical place, even though it’s in disrepair, if you look hard you can see why it was, and still should be the hub of food innovation.

[keeblerkb]

Yo I live right down the street from Mitla's all my life. I'm 37 & I did not know of this til now . Mind blowing. I'm going tomorrow to try the tacos . I been hooked on the wet burritos & breakfast a must try if you stop by .

[MsTimelady]

I read his book. Fascinating stories. Now everyone wants authentic Mexican street fare.

[majcrash]

This guy isn't the only one who has told the story of Mitla and Taco Bell, but I do appreciate the addition of how San Bernardino played a critical role in the civil rights movement. Unfortunately, Taco Bell is completely inedible these days, but we are lucky to still have Mitla Cafe. Enjoy!

[memoryroom]

I remember eating Taco Bell in the mid 70s through mid 80s as a kid. It was so great. Thin tortillas for the bean and cheese, olives on the enchirito, the bellbeefer.. I found out years later in those days they made the tortillas there everyday, as well as the refried beans. And the volcano fire and those pastel bakelite plastic seats and trays.

[roelcantu]

What a nice story, love the blending of cultures and fast food, Mexican, American, TexMex, Comfort Food, Mmmm 😋🤪, Thank You so much for this video 🌮🍔

[MayaMaya-yerl]

When i go back to California, ill go to mitla cafe. Im a Mexican American who likes taco bell and del taco and i want to meet the originators

[-oiiio-]

Did not know this.

If I find myself going through Berdoo, I'll have to try this place.

[luigivincenz]

Glen Bell: "I'll have 10 tacos por pabor.."
Mitla Cafe: "Knock it off senor. We know you just reverse engineer our tacos. We'll just teach you how.."
Glen Bell: "Oh gracias senor. If you didnt help me, I would do the same to the McDonald's brothers down the road'

[jimrebr]

I grew up in San Bernardino, I loved Taco Tia, Del Taco is still great when I visit there. Taco Bell was great for fast food once upon a time, but it’s just terrible now. I loved Der Wienersnitchel. I’ve never eaten at an In and Out, it didn’t exist when I was a child. I am glad to have grown up in an integrated Elementary school, Junior high and HS, I left there long long ago.

[dedguru]

I remember our first Taco Bell was originally”Taco Kid”. It was in the 60s. Lorain, Ohio

[erniearambula]

What a great story I'm Hispanic live in Alhambra but thisweekend I'm taking a drive to MITLA Cafe for hard shell tacos.

[opmmhs]

Mitla cafe so good !!! I don’t knw why they don’t have more of these . But glad I live in the ie and able to stop by and have some

[djmk]

I was supposed to work at one of the original Taco Bells in Los Angeles in the early 1970’s, but some big incident happened the day I was supposed to start work, so I was sent home and the job never materialized. I believe before being called Taco Bell, the chain was called Taco Tia or something along those lines. I still go to Taco Bell once in awhile, as the one I go to was renovated about four years ago. However, today, it is way overpriced, and the quality just isn’t there anymore. Also, when I go, I order and eat inside. The drive-thru takes priority so I end up waiting to order for a long time, and many of the employees have attitudes.