Writer addresses missing Taco Bell rumors

By: Mary Kate Dorr – Asst. A&E Editor

We all have our weird obsessions. My roommates are obsessed with weddings. My parents are obsessed with the sadness that is Cincinnati sports teams. And, apparently, a massive amount of University of Dayton students are obsessed with Taco Bell.

I have seen Chipotle lovers and McDonald’s addicts, Chick-Fil-A aficionados and Jimmy John’s enthusiasts. Yet I have never seen a group of people more devoted to a fast food chain than the patrons of Taco Bell.

Imagine their horror, then, upon hearing rumors late last year that our very own Taco Bell location on Brown Street would soon be demolished. At the return of the school year, Taco Bell still stood tall on Brown Street, providing a sense of false hope and comfort. It would be easy for these fanatics to just blame the rumor mill, refusing to accept the fate of their dear “Mexican” fast “food” chain.

Around Labor Day, this illusion was shattered along with the hearts of UD students as the Taco Bell at 1000 Brown St. was destroyed, leaving just an empty lot of fond memories.

“The empty lot on Brown Street closely resembles the emptiness it has left in my heart,” said sophomore communication major Kristen Peters, who has dragged me through the Brown Street Taco Bell drive-thru any time we have been in a car together. Peters also once claimed that if she had to choose between me and Taco Bell, there would be no competition, as our friendship cannot compete with her fiery passion for the dollar menu of questionable meat and cheese combinations.

Fear not, Doritos Locos Tacos and Baja Blast lovers of UD. According to the Dayton Daily News, this is merely just a reconstruction and Taco Bell will be returned to its proper home on Brown Street within the first quarter of 2015.

“But why?” you may ask. Why deprive these passionate restaurant goers of their crunchy burritos and loaded nachos for a semester? Why do the ones we love always hurt us the most?

Taco Bell loves you too, I promise. The reconstruction plan has been put in motion to make a bigger, better, healthier (just kidding on that last one, some dreams don’t come true) fast food development in its place. The new restaurant will have an overall similar setup as before, but it plans to build a 2,100-square-foot restaurant with 54 seating options. Now you too can be dragged down Brown Street at all times of day or night when you think no person could possibly be craving Mexican grease only to be proved wrong as your friends scarf it down in front of you.

But wait, there’s more! With the expansion of the Taco Bell will come 20 new employees and the Brown Street employees are working at 16 other locations in the area until the reconstruction is completed.

For the time being, Taco Bell fans, stay strong and know our thoughts are with you during this time of trial. Stay firm against the temptations of Chipotle and Qdoba this semester and remember, if you love something, set it free.