Taco Bell opened its first restaurant in Downey, California, in 1962.
Glen Bell founded the chain after operating earlier food businesses in Southern California. The original Taco Bell restaurant introduced inexpensive Mexican-inspired fast food, including tacos that could be prepared and served quickly.
The Downey location became an important symbol of the company’s early history. Although the original building was later moved to a different site to preserve it, the restaurant is still associated with Taco Bell’s beginnings in Southern California.
Taco Bell is sometimes confused with Del Taco because both chains originated in California and serve Mexican-inspired fast food. They are separate companies with different founders and histories. Taco Bell’s first restaurant date and location belong specifically to Glen Bell’s chain.