Find Your Valentine
Slog
News & ArtsWednesday, November 11, 2009
Two-Block Radius / Chow Any Time Is No Longer Taco Time
Posted by Bethany Jean Clement on Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 4:21 PM
- www.tacotimenw.com
- The end of Time.
As Capitol Hill Seattle Blog reported yesterday: Our neighborhood Taco Time is closing. Taco Time, while not actually good good, holds a special place in many Pacific Northwest natives' hearts—it's like a better version of school-lunch tacos. I went to Taco Bell exactly once, and never again, because Taco Time kicks Taco Bell's behind. And while Rancho Bravo is even closer in the two-block radius, certain people at The Stranger cheat on it, sneaking over to Taco Time for lunch every month or three.
Goodbye, Capitol Hill Taco Time. You will be missed.
4
Maybe in its place, we can get a Taco John's.
I would kill someone, in front of their own mother, for a Taco John's.
I would kill someone, in front of their own mother, for a Taco John's.
5
Oh god, I went there exactly twice, out of nostalgia, and regretted it both times. Long live Rancho Bravo!
6
I always had fond memories of Taco Time—so much so, I once convinced a van load of friends to stop at the Roseburg, OR, Taco Time. Unfortunately, that location in particular is probably the single most disgusting fast food experience I've ever had.
There's also something you North Westerner's should know: In other parts of the country, nobody knows what mexi-nuggets are.
There's also something you North Westerner's should know: In other parts of the country, nobody knows what mexi-nuggets are.
7
I just disovered where the Taco Time was. Anything East of Broadway might as well be Spokane to me.
8
Unfortunately, when I was a kid Taco Time would SLATHER their tacos in grease and so I developed an aversion to it.
But why you would pick a it over Rancho Bravo is beyond me. Their food is might fine for the price.
But why you would pick a it over Rancho Bravo is beyond me. Their food is might fine for the price.
10
When I first moved to Seattle I tried Taco Time. It was marginally better than Taco Bell in flavor, but the whole family got diarrhea. Taco del Mar is definitely my 'Mexican' food chain of choice.
11
they have the best fucking ice at taco time. its like small little ice balls of greatness. damn. its a shame.
12
Taco Time NW, which runs the Taco Time's in Western Washington (except in Vancouver :() is a franchise of the original Taco Time based in Oregon. In my experience, Taco Time NW is better then the original. Of course I grew up in Seattle and moved to the Portland Area. If it was the other way around I might feel differently.
14
Taco Bell < Taco Time < Taco del Mar < Tacos Guaymas < Malena's
The best things about Taco Time are the lo-cal combo meal #7 and the fresh jalapeńos.
The best things about Taco Time are the lo-cal combo meal #7 and the fresh jalapeńos.
15
Seriously, you inbred fuckers need to get off of Capitol Hill.
Taco Time rules and their soft bean burritos are a god send.
Rancho Bravo is horse meat.
Taco Time rules and their soft bean burritos are a god send.
Rancho Bravo is horse meat.
17
Taco Time holds a special place in my heart as well. The quality is so much better than a Taco Bell but the price is five times more. If the person working behind the counter cares enough to make your $5 soft taco right, the sauce and cheese and meat, it's all heaven. Frequently, the people working there don't get it and just start slapping the things together like they're fucking taco bell. If I wanted a .79 taco I would go somewhere else.
18
I don't know what hours that Taco Time kept, but it seemed like it was never open. And I've had some pretty sweet afternoon drinking sessions at CC's across the street.
19
Rancho Bravo sucks SO bad. It's worse than Taco Bell, which I didn't think was possible. #15 is right: "horse meat" is the best description possible for even their vegetarian food.
Taco Time will be missed. :( Rancho Bravo and Dick's are still around, which proves there is no Allah.
Taco Time will be missed. :( Rancho Bravo and Dick's are still around, which proves there is no Allah.
23
Is the building being knocked down? I actually really love that building, as much as I can't bring myself to go to Taco Time since they started posting caloric content on the menu.
27
Survival of the fittest, people!!! Stop eating food that's healthy... I only eat at the shit-hole-iest taco bells and jack in the boxes I can find. Ones where even the stray cats won't eat the garbage out back. I get water imported directly from Mexico City public toilets to drink. Been doing it for years. My immune system is in constant overdrive. I'll outlive all you hand-washing, anti-bacterial users when the drug resistant TB hits like wildfire, Muh-ha-ha-ha-ha!
28
Taco Time is pure comfort food, a wonderful indulgence several times a month for the past 20 years. Rancho Bravo helps to ameliorate this loss.
29
I lived above the Taco John's in Iowa City back in the '80's. I remember it being very good, but I was drunk most of the time, so who knows.
btw, Mexi-Nuggets are the exact same thing as Potato Olés. I may have been drunk, but I know my Tater Tots and Lawry's Seasoned Salt.
btw, Mexi-Nuggets are the exact same thing as Potato Olés. I may have been drunk, but I know my Tater Tots and Lawry's Seasoned Salt.
31
it is undeniable that if you are not exposed to to taco time as a child, you get the shits when you eat it.
hay problema.
hay problema.
32
I love Taco Time and make a point to eat at one about every second time I come to Seattle, so about four times a year. I live in the home of Taco John's now, and while my boyfriend loves it (he's from here), I think the only good items are Potato Olés and Mexi-rolls, and both are fried fat bombs. On our last visit to TT, Boyfriend actually admitted it's better than TJ.
Sorry you lost the only good "Mexican" fast food chain.
Sorry you lost the only good "Mexican" fast food chain.
33
I wish to memorialize that Taco Time on Madison which had the best service of any fast food place I know.
Some of my family members are into special orders and ingredient deletions and substitutions... the TT always got it exactly right. I don't even know how they did it actually.
Some of my family members are into special orders and ingredient deletions and substitutions... the TT always got it exactly right. I don't even know how they did it actually.
34
Damn! We keep losing all our multinational poisonous fast food chains. KFC, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, now Taco Time! The local shops are taking all the market share! The money stays in the community! Oh the humanity!!!!
35
There's a Taco Time in my hometown in Iowa. Until now I actually thought it was a local business. Small world.
37
taco time ranchy sour cream is the best condiment in the entire fucking city.
i know this because im a professional eater and im better than all you people combined at everything
i know this because im a professional eater and im better than all you people combined at everything
38
One of the things I like about that Taco Time is that it has parking. Even though I live nearby, sometimes when I'm on the way home from errands, I want some quick food and I don't want to spend 10 aggravating minutes looking for a parking space just to get a slice of pizza.
One of the other things I like is crushed ice and free soda refills. And nice people work there.
Are they really going to build another condo building there--now?
One of the other things I like is crushed ice and free soda refills. And nice people work there.
Are they really going to build another condo building there--now?
39
Boy, you guys really need to get off the hill, you act like you're never going to be able to have another chicken soft taco or mexi-fries again. There are dozens of Taco Times around the city and region, this is not a one-restaurant operation. The Cap Hill Taco Time was an an awkward location and didn't have a drive-through. I'm frankly surprised it lasted as long as it did.
40
Taco John's, Del Taco, Qdoba, and Chipotle (not in that order) are all better than Taco Time or Taco del Mar.
41
good thing there will be 9 other Taco Times in the Seattle area that you 2 block hipsters won't be hitting up.
Have fun with your Rancho Bravo cockroach tacos.
Have fun with your Rancho Bravo cockroach tacos.
42
oh what the fuck, this is terrible :(
closest thing we've got to fast food within walking distance.
closest thing we've got to fast food within walking distance.
43
Taco Time does white people Mexican food pretty darn well. Certainly better than Taco Bell, and as well as or perhaps better than Taco Del Mar or Del Taco.
47
What about the men's restroom? Its the smallest, triangular shaped bathroom i've ever been in. If you've had too many mexi nuggets you might not be able to get your butt inside and close the door behind you.
48
@47: If you're referring to Taco Time, please refer to mexi fries. If you're referring to the discontinued Taco Bell item, please refer to mexi-nuggets. Thank you.
50
The Taco Time on Broadway in Eugene, Oregon is (was?) amazing. It shares the space with an A&W so you can really do some fast food slumming. Bacon cheeseburger, crisp bean burrito, mexi-nuggets, and an awesome root beer float. All while watching a fascinating open air drug market out the window in front of Ken Kesey's bronze statue.
They had like 5 different kinds of salsas as well, and a surprisingly different menu from the one closing on Madison.
They had like 5 different kinds of salsas as well, and a surprisingly different menu from the one closing on Madison.
52
see, now I want A&W fried clam strips: I mean I know they would be retched nasty but, since I didn't even know they existed and now I have that knowledge yer telling me to skip 'em??
fek.
fek.
53
oh -y- hey ese, these Tacos de Juan -y- Taco Tiempo you speak of does not ring the La Campana de Taco para un senior Lou Dobbs.
54
@ 32 "Sorry you lost the only good "Mexican" fast food chain."
For one, TT is not going out of business and for two its not our only good "'Mexican' fast food chain" here. Its one location that had a ton of competition and local eateries around with comparable prices and usually somewhat healthier options.
From http://capitolhillseattle.com/2009/11/10…
"A quick phone chat with manager Rodney Keith confirmed the worst.
The Madison Taco Time will close its doors on Sunday. Keith says he's moving on to a new gig. All other questions were referred to company HQ so no word on whether this was a surgical closure or part of a widespread downsizing for the chain.
According to the Taco Time Web Northwest site, the Madison location is one of 75 in the state. Wikipedia says the chain has more than 200 franchises in the US and another 75 in Canada and Japan.
The departure is also the latest in a long, slow exodus from the Hill for national fast food chains. Hill outlets of Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, and Kentucky Fried Chicken have all closed within the past three years."
For one, TT is not going out of business and for two its not our only good "'Mexican' fast food chain" here. Its one location that had a ton of competition and local eateries around with comparable prices and usually somewhat healthier options.
From http://capitolhillseattle.com/2009/11/10…
"A quick phone chat with manager Rodney Keith confirmed the worst.
The Madison Taco Time will close its doors on Sunday. Keith says he's moving on to a new gig. All other questions were referred to company HQ so no word on whether this was a surgical closure or part of a widespread downsizing for the chain.
According to the Taco Time Web Northwest site, the Madison location is one of 75 in the state. Wikipedia says the chain has more than 200 franchises in the US and another 75 in Canada and Japan.
The departure is also the latest in a long, slow exodus from the Hill for national fast food chains. Hill outlets of Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, and Kentucky Fried Chicken have all closed within the past three years."
56
Who cares? We've got Rancho Bravo, we've got Tacos Guymas, we've got the Taco Del Mar, we've got La Puerta .. if you want to load up on unlimited amounts of tacos, there's La Cocina .. there's Galerias if you've got too much money and not much sense ... go up the Hill, there's the place that used to be Jalisco ..
Taco Time will be missed only by those people who have to eat at Mcdonalds at least once every month or they don't feel right.
Taco Time will be missed only by those people who have to eat at Mcdonalds at least once every month or they don't feel right.
57
when I drove by last night, I believe the sign in the window says "visit us at our new Rainier Ave. location"
58
Wow. Just one more reason to move from the hill. It is a sad shell of what is use to be. I loved going to Taco Bell late at night(when it used to be by TWO grocery stores), and Jack in the Box was a capital hill staple. All you food Nazis can go to hell(or Dicks). KFC was also good. Where else can you get fried chicken on the hill?
Boy...what we need is some more of those vegan restaurants, with their delicious spring rolls and gelatinous soups. So good. Or better yet, now we can go get a $10 burger from Broadway grill. You know to support the local(overpriced and over-hyped) businesses.
Capital Hill is overrun with self righteous condo owing liberals. It is hardly the grungy intercity neighborhood it use to be. The Defend Capital Hill campaign failed. Period.
Boy...what we need is some more of those vegan restaurants, with their delicious spring rolls and gelatinous soups. So good. Or better yet, now we can go get a $10 burger from Broadway grill. You know to support the local(overpriced and over-hyped) businesses.
Capital Hill is overrun with self righteous condo owing liberals. It is hardly the grungy intercity neighborhood it use to be. The Defend Capital Hill campaign failed. Period.
59
@58 If losing a fast food franchise is a reason for you to move off the hill then get thee fucking GONE. I'd like my neighborhood to look unique instead of like every other suburb in the country.
Also, Rancho Bravo is fucking heaven. Now where's mah satay bar?
Also, Rancho Bravo is fucking heaven. Now where's mah satay bar?
61
@59, not looking like a suburb is good, but so is cheap food. We've lost Taco Bell and Taco Time, but gained Rancho Bravo and Taco Gringos. In the last five years we've also lost Jack in the Box, KFC, and Kidd Valley. I can't think of three more new cheap-food places that have popped up to replace them. The north end of Broadway has a definite lack of non-Dicks late night cheap food. I'd gladly take a few of the random gyros/döner places I've seen in New York or Berlin, or any other food place that's about the same size as the Vivace stand.
...that makes me wonder. Did the Vivace stand used to be a food stand at one point? It looks like it.
...that makes me wonder. Did the Vivace stand used to be a food stand at one point? It looks like it.
62
i love that this got so many comments!
i admit to a momentary pang of loss even though i haven't been in there in 15 years.
fond memory: losing my retainer in their garbage and digging through the dumpster for an hour until i found it.
no big surprise i stopped going there after that.
i admit to a momentary pang of loss even though i haven't been in there in 15 years.
fond memory: losing my retainer in their garbage and digging through the dumpster for an hour until i found it.
no big surprise i stopped going there after that.
63
I heart Taco Time! You can bitch about it being a chain or a staple of suburbia or whatever, but you can NOT dispute the sheer delicious deep fried goodness that is a crisp bean burrito. Mmmmmmm.....
64
@ 58 "KFC was also good. Where else can you get fried chicken on the hill? "
From the deli at QFC.
From the deli at QFC.
65
26,,,ACTUALLY, there have been TWO failed Burger Kings on Broadway, one about where the African themed store South of Charlie's door is, and the other in the strip mall area above the South QFC, not the one where the Broadway market was. Anybody remeber Henry's Off Broadway or Lion O'Reileys and BJ Monkeyshines?
66
Wild Bill @65, you are not alone: I remember Henry's AND Lion O'Reilly's etc. Senior year in high school, I thought they were the ultimate in stylish grown-up eating, especially when followed by a visit to the Dilettante. One out of three...
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
SL Letter of the Day: Daddy Loves Who? by Dan Savage
-
SL Letter of the Day: Pill The Homos! by Dan Savage
-
SL Letter of the Day: Life Sentence by Dan Savage
-
Crowdsourcing Uncut Police Video from the Dec. 12 Occupy Protest at the Port of Seattle by Eli Sanders
-
Slog Bible Study: Deuteronomy 21:10-14 by Goldy
-
The AP Is Reporting That Whitney Houston Is Dead by Paul Constant
-
Because Guns Make Us Safer by Goldy
-
The Onion Is on a Roll: "Iran Worried U.S. Might Be Building 8,500th Nuclear Weapon" by Charles Mudede
-
Gay Kids Are Still Killing Themselves by Dan Savage
-
Gregoire: "This is signed!" by Eli Sanders
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (66) RSS