Posted on 04/20/2024 7:19:04 AM PDT by where's_the_Outrage?
Competition in the Tex-Mex and Mexican segments of the restaurant space has been fierce in recent years, led by fast-food chains Yum Brands' Taco Bell (YUM) and Chipotle (CMG) .
Taco Bell is king with about 7,936 locations in the U.S., according to data company ScrapeHero. Chipotle has a good size of the market with 3,398 units. Other major players include Qdoba with over 750 locations and Del Taco (TACO) with over 600.
Certain Mexican casual restaurant chains have had financial difficulties trying to compete and needed to file for bankruptcy. Chevy's Fresh Mex, which had as many as 37 locations filed bankruptcy a couple of times, most recently in 2018, and currently has 18 locations. Other Mexican chains have filed bankruptcy and shuttered permanently, including Don Pablo's, which filed bankruptcy in 2017 and closed down in 2019. Another, Chi-Chis, filed bankruptcy and closed permanently in 2004.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
Same here. We liked Chi Chi’s.
Ever notice that you never see a Mexican eating that crap.
The best consistent deal I know of right now is the $3 double cheese and small fry deal at McD’s. It’s not in their app and they don’t push it but it is there.. at least in store around me.
When I need to eat now and done have a lot of cash that will be my stop..
The deal is amusing because if you were to just order a double cheese ala cart they will charge you nearly $4 for it alone.
Like I said it’s not in the app. But if you go to the store they have it, at least by me.
I try not to eat fast food if I can avoid it. Just tears me up when I do, but there are times when I need a meal quick and only have a few bucks… so when that happens I will hit up that deal.
Dunno after seeing the kitchen in a few authentic Mexican restaurants in my day, (honestly not a huge fan of Mexican food in general) I have a hard time calling the Americanized chain Mexican places crap.
Literally, some of the stuff I’ve seen in the “real deal” kitchens made me understand why diarrhea is such a problem in Mexico.. I know they want to blame the water, but I would challenge that assumption.
No los Pollos Hermanos?
Oops, the TF I referred to must have been totally unrelated to the chain in the story founded in 95.
Moline Illinois’ Tijuana Flats must have been a one-off local venture (built around 1972?). It was in the classic low ceiling/tile roof/arched stucco walls design. Definitely not a fast-food restaurant, with the help dressed in a comparable fashion.
Really? No.
Taco Bell died to me when they did away with the Fiesta Salad Bowl...
> Filiberto’s. So much so that there is a flotilla of knock-offs
My Tempe-raised nephew explained they all used to be Filiberto’s but due to some hilarious tax sheltering and money laundering shenanigans ended up as separate businesses but named similarly. After that came various corporate divorces and we now have the situation you’ve described.
Call it what ever you want just don't call it Mexican food because its not even close.
I would rather eat off a taco street cart or a roach coach and take my chances.
Food probably already comes to them pre-plated and frozen. Pull it out of the freezer, heat, and serve.
...But you can’t get a good Rat-Burger there!
I’ve discovered the self order kiosks at McD’s have a lot more choices (and some better deals) than the electronic menu boards behind the counter.
I prefer the local dives run by hispanic locals. Best I’ve found are where the landscapers and construction workers go. Look for lots of work trucks parked around.
Great food, lots of it, low prices.
‘Brought to you by Carl’s Jr.’
.
IDIOCRACY
[The seashells were a joke between the screenwriters.]
Damn, and I was hoping it was one of The Seven Pillars of Wisdom or some such.
‘Loved Ch-Chi’s. Started by Green Bay Packer Max McGee if memory serves. I was scared the closing business was Taco John’s, another fav, whew!
I only read the blurb and it never mentioned the company going bankrupt. Typical MSM article.
There are plenty of legitimate Taco trucks, and not so legitimate Taco stands that just set up on Streets in So Cal. There is only so much money to go around, something is gonna give and it’s usually the Brick and Mortar shops with the big overhead.
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