Theoretically, every Taco Bell should be the same. Practically, they are often not. Differences in franchise management across all fast-food brands can lead to unexpected irregularities in what customers encounter inside restaurants, regardless of the logos on the storefront.
Fast Company analyzed the Google Maps reviews of every location in the United States for four different fast-food brands—McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, and KFC (coming August 22). We ranked the locations based on a weighted scoring system that we devised, which factors in both the average customer review score and the number of reviews that customers have left.* (These scores were current as of July 30, 2024.)
Here are the five best and worst Taco Bell locations in America, according to our analysis of customer experiences, excluding Taco Bell Cantina restaurants. And if you’re wondering how a seemingly monolithic brand can produce such drastic variations across its franchises, you can read more here.
No. 1 Best: 5200 CA-1, Pacifica, California
Score: 4.42
Reviews: 3,400
Weighted score: 9.81
Representative review: “Definitely the best Taco Bell in the West located on the beautiful Pacifica Coast! Best to try and catch the sunset to sit outside and enjoy your food with a gorgeous view! I unfortunately didn’t make it in time. Food-wise, mostly standard Taco Bell fare with a few special items that don’t disappoint. They also offer alcoholic drinks as well!”
No. 2 Best: 925 FM802, Brownsville, Texas
Score: 4.36
Reviews: 1,276
Weighted score: 9.39
Representative review: “I’m in Brownsville for work and this literally may be the nicest Taco Bell I’ve ever been to. What made my experience so good is the staff. They were so kind and attentive, the manager even came out and asked how my food was. Which was perfect. You don’t often get that at Taco Bell!!! My hat’s off to this location and I’ll be back here again while I’m in town!!”
No. 3 Best: 402 Dixieland Rd., Harlingen, Texas
Score: 4.32
Reviews: 1,484
Weighted score: 9.12
Representative review: “Excelente service, fast, friendly staff. If you have the app, [it’s] highly recommended. They have Pepsi, no coke. Clean place. You take more time to order than when your order is right in front of you. Two thumbs up. Keep [up] the excellent work guys!”
No. 4 Best: 3509 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Union City, New Jersey
Score: 4.28
Reviews: 1,621
Weighted score: 8.84
Representative review: “I love the customer service rendered in this location. Every time I go to the drive through the employees are always polite and nice especially “DIANA”. She has such an amazing and bubbly attitude every time she takes the orders. She is polite and very pleasant. She always makes sure that everything is ok with your order. It’s very nice to go to a place where you are treated with respect and the person shows hospitality towards others. She truly deserves a raise!”
No. 5 Best: 420 S 10th St., McAllen, Texas
Score: 4.27
Reviews: 1,243
Weighted score: 8.77
Representative review: “Manager there was amazing, he even recommended a veggie taco for my son. You’re awesome.”
No. 1 Worst: 1519 Saxon Blvd., Deltona, Florida
Score: 1.78
Reviews: 95
Weighted score: -5.56
Representative review: “Not a good first impression considering this place has just opened up.
The food wasn’t great at all to be honest. The Burritos looked a mess, had missing ingredients i’m sure, and my supreme chalupa was actually missing tomato and cheese so you know 2/4 ingredients missing. Not bad eh. Even paid a dollar extra for the steak so that’s laughable.
So yeah. Take a gamble if you wish. I did and it was pants but eh. You might get good food who knows. Maybe it will improve in time. Fingers crossed as i do like Taco Bell.”
No. 2 Worst: 1810 E. Seymour Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio
Score: 1.66
Reviews: 61
Weighted score: -5.51
Representative review: “LOL didn’t this place just open? It’s my first time here and I order 2 very small items. Was told to pull around and wait and they’ll bring it out. When I pull around I realize there’s about 10 other cars waiting also. Barely any spots to pull into to wait on my food. Took about 10 minutes to get my stuff. The ladies working seemed very frustrated and upset. They were cussing and yelling while I was paying at the window. Not a very good experience.”
No. 3 Worst (tie*): 355 Dix Ave., Queensbury, New York
Score: 1.78
Reviews: 85
Weighted score: -5.42
Representative review: “Awful location, no consistency in orders, one day you will get a decent item the next, very skimpy. Rude manager. At least the other Taco Bell’s will fix their mistakes. Just what the area needed, another incompetent Taco Bell.”
No. 3 Worst (tie*): 1893 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo New York
Score: 2.11
Reviews: 440
Weighted score: -5.42
Representative review: “11 separate parties waiting and nobody has food. The franchisee should just sell or get their franchise revoke. I ended up not getting my order right. But why complain to correct it when it takes 26 minutes for fast food service.”
No. 5 Worst: 7660 Barrington Rd., Hanover Park, Illinois
Score: 2.23
Reviews: 1,114
Weighted score: -5.32
Representative review: “Forgot my avocado salsa for the cantina burrito, cool, I drove back. Asked to remake my burrito because a 14 dollar combo shouldn’t have a skinny thin burrito. They said yes but it was the same thing with a bunch of lettuce. Now I have stomach pain from the food.”
*Methodology
Weighted scores were created after selecting only locations with at least 50 reviews on Google Maps, subtracting 3 from the score (which averages those reviews), and multiplying the result by the log of the number of reviews, which we capped at 1,000 reviews. For example, a restaurant with a score of 4.0 and 90 reviews would yield the weighted score of 6.75 (1.5 * log(90)). A restaurant with a score of 1 and 3,000 reviews would yield the score -10.36 (-1.5 * log(1000)). Because the maximum number of reviews to weight the score is 1,000, locations with identical scores and any number of reviews over 1,000 will be tied.