In Loving Defense of Taco Bell

When I lived in America, Taco Bell was relegated to 2 a.m. after-party grub, or a quick and cheap meal. Greasy, fast, and cheap. Then I moved to Thailand, a land devoid of Taco Bell and other staple fast food restaurants. In the last few years, though, the fast food industry in Thailand has blossomed into full, greasy glory, and Taco Bell has taken its position among the ranks of restaurants that have come in, branched out, and taken over.

I went to the first Taco Bell restaurant in Thailand — Bangkok, to be specific. Wow. It was nice, spacious, clean, and shiny. The cashier took my order with a smile and seemed happy to work there. My burrito was perfectly, neatly wrapped, and it tasted great! Because it was so new, the restaurant did not have the taco sauce yet, but it had a substitute — spicy of course. Once, I went to the new Tim Horton’s (another new chain!), and I had eaten at a ramen restaurant beforehand. Lo and behold! I turned the corner of the shopping center that held Tim Horton’s, and there was a Taco Bell! I felt great disappointment that I did not know it was there. Disappointment about not getting Taco Bell? Indeed. Great disappointment.

In a turn of events, Thai food is abundant and extremely cheap — $1.20 for a meal that would cost ten times as much in America. I find great difficulty in eating Thai food in America because it is not as delicious and made for American palettes. Similar to Taco Bell in America, Thai food — real, hole-in-the-wall, everyday food — can be greasy, fast, and cheap.

My cravings for Western food do not end with Taco Bell. Oh no. Doritos, Funyuns, cajun food, and other delicacies are hard to find and expensive when I find them. But, they’re so worth it!

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