Florida’s First Taco Bell & Remaining Original Taco Bell Buildings In 2024 Tour - Fast Food History

[@TampaJay]

Thanks for watching! instagram.com/tampajay

[@exinilda]

I love listening to the history of these places. Always fun. Thanks Jay!

[@lauriestull1077]

Tampa Jay. I work there. I was born and raised in St. Petersburg. My dad used to take me there. I work there 1972 It used to be where you went to these little windows and it was all open. You walked underneath a carport. And you would walk up to a window and order your food.

[@PuzzlePieces-f5c]

Love watching your videos of old Florida. I'm a Floridian, and it brings back good childhood memories. Used to go to an original taco bell that had a statue of a taco bell man out front. The food was the best then. Small menu and used to order 1 of everything. Miss tostada Supremes and enchiritos back then.

[@MiamisburgJay]

Thanks Jay for another nice video. You are always very relaxing and enjoyable and your content is appreciated :)

[@Gatorzman]

You are so entertaining. This is like the 100th video of yours I've enjoyed. As I've watched each one I've thought it would a blast to accompany you on one of your shoots. It amazes me the amount of research you put in. Huge fan of yours!

[@Gatorzman]

And Joe's New York Diner building was constructed in 1977 per the property appraiser's website. When I moved to Tampa in 1990 it was no longer a Taco Bell.

[@TampaJay]

Thank you so much glad to hear you’re enjoying my videos. Thanks for looking that up. That’s pretty sweet.!

[@kylegustavson5820]

Watch your videos every week, would be awesome to see a video of your old band days !!!!

[@gilbertgranby9339]

That makes two of us. 🎤🎸🥁🎶

[@quantumquestions5849]

Hello, Tampa Jay. I am originally from Orlando. And lived in South Pasadena for 3 years loved it. I was always In these areas. never new much about the areas history. I love The old buildings and old architect. Unfortunately I had to go back central florida four corners, lake buena vista area .I really miss the beaches in Treasure Island and gulfport. But when I was in south Pasadena I missed going to Disney 3 times a week. win some lose some. I am just glad this is all at least in my home state. Thank you for the awesome video. And Happy Birthday.

[@timbenton1187]

Happy belated birthday. I love when you do roadside attractions and historical things.

[@Elephant2024-wi2li]

Enjoyable video. Extremely informative with much to taco' bout with family & friends.🌮

[@sarahmoller9716]

Thank you for history on Taco Bell. Very interesting. Stay safe Tampa Jay. 🙏💜

[@naybur74]

HAPPY belated..BIRTHDAY..and i also can pick out old fast food architecture, mainly "PIZZA HUT" buildings, they are so easy to find, and one in particular here in Gainesville Florida where i had a birthday dinner one year as a kid..it even had a "DRAGONS LAIR" Video game at the time. also making TACO SALAD for my dinner. those hole in the wall taco joints are always on point.

[@DisAmy33]

I would’ve edited out all that positive stuff you said about firehouse subs since the manager gave you a hard time, lol! I know that building tho! Did not know its history! Cool!

[@sharonstover7337]

I love your videos like this! So cool!!!

[@kimberlylyerly2207]

Hello my friend 😊 I always got/get the Nachos Belgrande, or a Burrito Supreme. My past Taco Bell favorite was the "Beef Baja Chalupa". ❤️😋❤️ Thanks for sharing Taco Bell history and buildings. So cool! Hugs 🤗 and God bless 🙏

[@Rossturnerphoto]

My parents took me to that Taco Bell in St Pete when I was growing up. I had no idea it was the first one in Florida, cool stuff. I remember when the Taco Bell in Pinellas Park moved from the old location. I’ve eaten inside both as TacoBells and have also eaten at that Firehouse Subs. Good stuff as always. Also FYI - US 92 turns off Gandy and follows 4th Street south toward downtown St Pete.

[@marybishop8979]

Hi Jay! I'm late to the video, I grew up on the block behind the Downey Taco Bell and walked or rode my bike around the corner at a very early age...love your videos!

[@billh5398]

Great videos! Happy belated birthday! Thanks for what you do!

[@TampaJay]

Thank you

[@robkeeley3823]

The old Taco Bell in New Port Richey on US 19 is a Batteries plus now. Still has the original building.

[@MrMetalminded]

Hi Tampa Jay! I love when you get to St. Petersburg! I used to visit family there and had been going since the late 70s. I haven’t been there since my grandparents moved back here to Illinois. Next time you visit you and Chris should eat at Ted Peters! I’d love to see it!!

[@Crossfirepyro2]

Big fan of the double-decker taco can’t go wrong with 2n1 or of the big beef burrito supreme🔥🔥

[@Rev.RatsRides]

Hey Tampa Jay, one of my first memories of Taco Bell was when I was 5 years old. It was in Tampa and I was eating a hard shell taco and a piece of shell became lodged in my throat 😳 my dad had to snatch me up by my ankle and pounded my back until I coughed it up.

[@MikefromStPete]

This is awesome. The first Taco Bell in the video is the one I stop at after work sometimes. Plus I didn’t know that about the Firehouse subs. This is why we watch Tampa Jay. Tacoson in St. Pete is now Grumpy Gringo. Not sure if it’s the same owners, but definitely same quality. My favorite taco place in St. Pete.

[@Luv2tickt]

I'll give you some history. The founder of Taco Bell was a US Marine who served as a ... wait for it ... cook in WWII. I used to love TB. My go-to was the Chicken Chalupa with Baha sauce. Now the "meat" is sooooo greasy. I love Del-Taco as they're a far superior in just about everything, which given that they're parent company is owned by Jack-in-the-Box. Their tacos suck! Speaking of suck...see that windshield crack has gotten a LOT worse! Excellent as always and thanks for the history! Love it.

[@Steve_6251]

An awesome Taco Bell deep dive. True story…I ate at the one in Downey as a kid, many moons ago. I hear that building is now in Irvine. Now I want me some tacos!

[@Ronaldl2350]

The old Taco Bell buildings are just clsssic!

[@dpc374]

Tampa Jay! I’m coming your way! Will be down in your neck of the woods tomorrow night at the Mets Rays game! 😎👊🏻

[@Cnydi2000]

Hi Jay, there is an original Taco Bell on US 19 in New Port Richey. It’s now a Batteries + Bulbs.

[@TampaJay]

Oh wow thanks I’m gonna have to check that out

[@joesylvester9764]

There's also one in port richey, they were both built sake time. It's just south of 52 and STILL SERVES FOOD! Chinese

[@351wmustanggt]

The picture of the first taco bell located in St. Pete looks exactly like the one that was originally built on the south west corner of Busch Blvd and 30th St. I ate there many times with my parents, I still remember the taco bell boy statue, they were also walk up resteraunts with no indoor seating.

[@ramadaproductions]

Thanks for the great content

[@brendacarter3714]

Tampa Jay and Taco Bell YES. Learning and liking Taco's was in Tallahassee year of 1977. Who knew what a Taco Tuesday was back then. Great video.

[@daviddawson1897]

The first Taco Bell I remember going to as a kid was the one that is the New York diner. This was back in the very early 80s. Great videos.

[@Shelly-in-Tampa]

I am glad you did this video. I am glad you decided to taco bout this. 🌮

[@RalphLaak]

In the mid to late 60's we went to what I was told evolved into Taco Bell in California....it was a walk up like the old DQ's sliding screened windows,no indoor seating,tacos were wrapped in wax paper,plain white bag and condiments in squeeze bottles on a table...😋...Firehouse Subs are good !!!!

[@JonathanJones-bc8kx]

Who remembers TACO 🔔 BELL KIDS MEALS LMFAO

[@joangravel2436]

Thanks that was awesome video

[@roknrandall]

First off, Happy Belated Birthday J! Second loved the vid man! And lastly tell me that repurposed taco bell now firehouse subs didnt fit their motif beyond well. You having a good bead on the fire service cant say that it didnt look like an historic firehouse am i right? The three rounded windows give off horse drawn steam pumper vibes. The bell tower serving as the citywide alarm or even fire watch. What do you think?

[@eriear]

I ate at the Taco Bell on Florida and Fowler all the time. I lived on 127th ave just a few blocks away. It was still a Taco Bell when I left around 1990. The BK just down the road is pretty old too.

[@mikemorrison377]

Cool video Jay. The joes new your diner location one…. Right down the road is the Babe Zaharias golf course. If you are not familiar with her, look her up. She was an icon and the Michael Jordan of her time. Her life story is quite interesting.

[@MikeRuh01]

I remember how the old Taco Bells used to look like. So different than what they look like today for sure

[@dandesorbes8809]

Hi Tampa jay from Ohio thanks for the great video

[@jeffreynagy5395]

Tampa Jay outstanding content to this history lesson . Might you & Chris the Girl do a video on the "Whataburger franchise? Pardon the pun; food for thought. Jeffrey

[@craigholstine2154]

Good Afternoon Tampa Jay..!!

[@stevenlopez2521]

Oh man I know that area very well and have eaten at that Taco Bell in Pinellas Park. I’m in Pasco now but lived in Seminole right off Park.

[@johnbelden-br3hw]

Around the time the Batman cups were in there I feel like the soda was so good Pepsi and Mexican pizza was so good together and cinnamon twists

[@benjaminlovingwurst9127]

Crunchwrap supreme is the move for me👌

[@patrickhenry1779]

Great Stuff

[@middlekid3]

Oh thank you Tampa Jay for the excellent dinner idea mmm ! yo quiero Taco Bell

[@creepymccreeperson8308]

Taco Bell and I have something in common, I love tacos, and I've been around since 1962. Lol

[@zirrdave1278]

Hey Jay! There is another old taco bell building in St. Pete that maybe you aren't aware of. On the corner of 66th street N and 56th ave N, stands the Dooriban Korean Restaurant. Which is most definitely another former taco bell. The formal street address is: 5600 66th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33709. Hope this helps you if you weren't already aware of this one!

[@sonicdishes]

When I lived in Pinellas Park we would frequent that Taco Bell late at night after I got off work sometimes. Dang I miss Florida!

[@sonicdishes]

I also remember the Firehouse Subs! We were only in Pinellas Park for a year but I feel deeply in love with the Tampa Bay area!

[@sonicdishes]

Lastly, TacoBus was the first place we ate tacos in Tampa Bay. We actually moved to FL in May of 2017, and on Cinco De Mayo we had TacoBus. I always wanted to try TacoSon but it never happened.

[@Mark-ur4ds]

Very cool stuff nothing like good 🌮 ➡️

[@MichelleMartin-ld6zg]

Hi Tampa Jay great video the UK 🇬🇧 😀 👍 👌

[@magiccheeseball]

That was interesting I never knew Taco Bell went back that long ago

[@pameladonnelson2093]

Happy Birthday Jay. Enjoy Taco Bell ❤

[@losbanditospictures1593]

Bruh, I knew you were a hardcore kid. I'm trying to KZbin the band now, lol

[@losbanditospictures1593]

Just found a cool video of you, lol. Dope man.

[@grayarea51]

I went to a couple of hardcore shows there at Transitions back in the 90’s. Saw Shai Halud, Bloodlet, and One King Down there as well as quite a few other notable bands.

[@TampaJay]

That’s amazing! Love that venue. So many great shows

[@grayarea51]

Oh and happy belated too sir 🫡

[@christophergaylord4397]

There’s an original building in Bradenton on US41 that is now an Indian restaurant. The newer TB is across the street.

[@TampaJay]

Thanks my friend! I’ll have to check that one out!

[@todayisanewday7]

Haven’t been there in years. They still sell the chalupa?

[@aimlessramble]

Huh!! US41. I live a few blocks off of US41 in Wisconsin 👍

[@michelebucher3904]

Tampa Jay look up 11818 U.S. Highway 19 Green tea Chinese restaurant. It looks like a old Taco bell or possibly Taco viva

[@leearmstrong2743]

Afternoon Jay!!

[@selbyjohnson5986]

I forgot what the Taco Bells in Florida used to look like. I had to go look at street views of the one I used to go to. Sure enough it was the old style building.

[@Ghoatt]

There used to be a Coppertone billboard with a dog pulling off the bottoms of a little girl over the first FL Taco Bell.

[@brucewayne33497]

Speaking of Taco Bell who here is familiar with the Choco Taco Ice Cream the reason why i'm bringing this up is because Taco Bell and the Klondike Ice Cream company are teaming up to bring Choco Tacos back this Summer but they'll only be available at Taco Bell

[@ImBradCrites]

I live in Temple Terrace and love me some TacoSon!

[@wiggitywak2050]

Hey that new Fazolis in Lutz opens may 21st

[@ExploreMichigander]

We had those style of taco bells into the 2000s

[@gehrigstory6674]

Hey, Tampa Jay, since you have now visited the first McDonalds in Florida, as well as Florida's first Taco Bell, how about you visit Florida's first Dunkin Donuts? It's located at 301 Federal Hwy, Lake Park, near West Palm Beach. 1st Edit: Oh, and by the way, there is a McDonald's in Winter Haven that has one of the original Single-Arch signs still remaining outside its doors, and there's a McDonald's in Bushnell that (Although it actually isn't that old) is built to look like an original McDonald's with the two golden arches on the side of the building. 2nd Edit: Oh, and how about the first Walmart in Florida in Quincy? I'm just going crazy over how many "First/Original Location" videos that can be made in Florida! 3rd and final Edit: Turns out, a LOT of Fast food chains got started in Florida, including Burger King, and Hooters. Hooters got started in Clearwater (Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard; that restaurant is still in operation), and Burger King got started in Jacksonville (At the intersection of Beach Street, and E Street; I checked this place on Google Maps, but unfortunately, that original Burger King doesn't exist anymore.😢) I literally looked up this information on the internet, just so I can tell you about it. It would be cool to see you visit these original restaurant sites in the future.

[@TheFloridaSnowflake]

"If you look way out, past my taco..." 🤣🤣 IDK why that tickled me so much. You're a natural comedian, Tampa Jay.

[@TampaJay]

I’m happy someone gets my humor lol glad to hear. Thank you for watching.

[@joe020308]

Jay, will you and Adam the woo be attending any games in other stadiums this season?

[@williamcoslosky]

The TB on your hat now stands for Taco Bell 🤣

[@TampaJay]

Hahah I was waiting for that!

[@williamcoslosky]

@@TampaJay Great minds think alike!! 🙌🏽🤣

[@RobertDickens2002]

We have one in albany ga just like that original one man things were so much more interesting back then I remember thinking the rope for the bell would be in the ceiling 😀 I never much ate taco bell as a kid but I definitely made up for it curious how you come up with this information I also enjoy useless information. I also worked at Napa.

[@ToddZilla813]

Lorita's on Causeway just on the edge of Brandon is super legit.

[@ToddZilla813]

I haven't thought about the Boston grill in many moons. Taking me back.

[@dereckc9469]

Not your Average Joes pizza used to be 2038 Dale Mabry, next to Mons Venus, is old Taco Bell. its closed now wonder whats there

[@minifan77]

I would so be at Sonny’s BBQ Across the street from Firehouse subs. Since I live so far away from one.

[@live_free_or_die7260]

Sounds like you need some back up Jay while at location videos.

[@plutohasfleas]

I worked at Joe's when the pandemic started. The place is a dump. Be very careful about what you order if you visit, if it's not breakfast foods, beware. The kitchen is way too small for a menu of that size. Real "Kitchen Nightmares" type of vibes. Thanks for covering this topic, great work.

[@briangilliver2197]

Taco bell . Hi hi happy birthday sir

[@darlenelake9308]

Tampa Jay look into Taco Viva please

[@TampaJay]

That sounds delightful

[@josephwind2089]

The bean burritos that make you "run for the border" aka the bathroom! Only at Taco Bell!

[@jackdavis007]

You forgot the old Taco Bell on 66st in Pinellas Park

[@TampaJay]

I did not know about that one. Thank you. I will have to check it out.

[@jackdavis007]

I sent you pics on ig

[@rustyspoon4911]

Bean burrito no onions and extra sauce

[@edwindrood2816]

Taco Bell is king

[@selbyjohnson5986]

The new modern styles of these fast food restaurants just don’t look good to me. Old ones looked so much better.

[@stevebrown3958]

That liquor store was a strip club for the longest time

[@johnnyk8211]

Taco viva

[@geoffreyivie]

❤🐔🐄🌮🔔🥤😋

[@351wmustanggt]

Most if not all Taco Bus locations have closed. Also Taco Bell is ok for fast food but far from being the best and not even close to being authentic as far as Mexican food is concerned.

[@savage1469]

Taco "diarrhea" Bell

[@TiechaMccants]

It's all was a cheap meal💩

[@motoman1150rt]

Please please stop filming yourself shoving food into your face. You do some great videos. I stopped following Adam the Woo partly because he does the same thing. We all eat food but filming it and expecting people to watch is beyond me

[@TampaJay]

This is not the channel for you. I’ll do me, always. Good luck out there.