The Pacifica Taco Bell Cantina deserves its fame - Review - San Francisco - The Infatuation
"Crashing waves, surfers jogging by in half-zipped wetsuits, a frozen drink in hand—no, you’re not draining your PTO at an all-inclusive resort, it’s the Taco Bell Cantina in Pacifica. If you live in the Bay, you know the lore behind this place. What started as an A&W on Highway 1 in the 60s is now unironically dubbed the world’s most beautiful Taco Bell. And it’s true. video credit: Patrick Wong The back patio faces the Pacific, and there’s just a railing stopping you and your Baja Blast Freeze from tumbling onto the sand. During sunset and the lunch rush, hordes of all ages pack in daily, jostling for photos with their commemorative plastic cups. photo credit: Monica Lo photo credit: Monica Lo photo credit: Monica Lo photo credit: Monica Lo photo credit: Monica Lo Pause Unmute But this is still a Taco Bell. The food is exactly what you’d expect from the fast food chain, though you’d be lucky to eat this close to the water at any restaurant. Coming to the Cantina is a requirement for anyone who likes long walks on the beach and/or sacrificing their stomach lining to a few packets of Diablo Sauce. Here, you can stare out at the Pacific and get existential while inhaling a chalupa, or on the rare occasion, get married. Food Rundown You probably don’t need us to tell you what to order at Taco Bell, but we’re going to do it anyway. Crunchwrap Supreme If you’ve been to Taco Bell, you’ve had a Crunchwrap Supreme. It’s the same as it’s always been, but with a view of the Pacific, so it’s better. photo credit: Monica Lo Cheesy Gordita Crunch A classic. The best of both worlds—a little crunch from the hard shell, a little pillow for your teeth with the flatbread. Best drenched in Fire Sauce. photo credit: Monica Lo Crispy Chicken Nuggets These recently returned to the Taco Bell canonical universe, and we’re glad they’re back. Crispy, juicy, dunked in ranch. We’d get them again. photo credit: Monica Lo Spicy Potato Soft Taco The chipotle sauce adds a built-in kick, and there’s a generous helping of savory potato hunks. Baja Blast Freeze Get it in a yard cup (the swirly plastic vessel that’s over a foot tall) and spike with your choice of alcohol. Stare out at the waves, breathe it in. This is what it’s all about. photo credit: Monica Lo" - Julia Chen
