Taco Bell Is Actually One Of The Better Fast Food Restaurants Out There

Fast food, in general, is not good, whether you’re concerned about flavor, health or quality. Fried chicken is not typically regarded as a health food; mass-produced burgers are rarely considered gourmet; onion rings tend not to be viewed as the pinnacle of culinary prowess. But if you’re going to opt for fast food over homemade meals or better-quality restaurants, some options are better than others.

But when you think of a decent fast food joint, Taco Bell is likely not the first chain to come to mind. The Mexican-inspired fast food behemoth has long received scathing criticism regarding its supposedly low-quality meat and purportedly unhealthy menu items. A particularly well-publicized lawsuit against the company claimed its “beef” was actually only 36% beef, an assertion which was later revealed to be untrue. The company then spent millions of dollars to clear the air, hoping to redeem itself, but in some ways, the idea that Taco Bell delivers particularly bad fast food remains in the zeitgeist.

I’ve had a different experience with the brand. When I was following a vegan diet back in 2014 and 2015, it was one of the few cheap restaurants in my small suburban town that offered anything I could eat other than fries. This was before the days of the ubiquitous Impossible Burger, and I was deeply grateful for late-night black bean Crunchwrap Supremes and 5-Layer Burritos when the munchies hit. And unlike the oil-soaked McDonald’s and Wendy’s meals I had enjoyed in years prior, these indulgences never made me feel bloated and heavy the way a Big Mac would.

Am I saying that Taco Bell sells the most delicious tacos I’ve ever eaten? Of course not. But most of us don’t go to fast food restaurants because we’re looking for top-quality cuisine—we go because we’re looking for a quick, cheap and easy meal. And although I think we should avoid seeking out these qualities in our foods whenever possible, sometimes, convenience is the most important factor to consider when you just need to get something in your stomach.