Taco Bell is the go-to spot for bold flavors, late-night cravings, and creative menu mashups. But beyond the Doritos shells and Baja Blast lies a quirky and sometimes surprising backstory that’s helped shape its cult status.

Here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about Taco Bell — from celebrity cameos to intergalactic pranks.

1. Taco Bell Was Started by a Hot Dog Stand Owner. Founder Glen Bell opened Bell’s Drive-In and later Bell’s Hamburgers and Hot Dogs in California. Inspired by the popularity of a neighboring Mexican restaurant, he pivoted to tacos — and by 1962, Taco Bell was born.
2. The First Taco Cost Just 19 Cents. When Taco Bell opened its first location in Downey, California, customers could grab a crunchy taco for just 19 cents. The original menu also featured tostadas, chili burgers, and frijoles — all under 25 cents.
3. Taco Bell Once Offered a Menu Made Entirely of Doritos. It started with the Doritos Locos Taco in 2012, which became one of the most successful product launches in fast food history. It was such a hit that Taco Bell experimented with an entire Doritos-themed menu, including a (now-discontinued) Doritos Taco Salad.
4. It Was the First Fast Food Chain on the Moon — Kind Of. In 2001, Taco Bell floated a massive target in the ocean and claimed that if a falling Russian space station hit it, they’d give every American a free taco. It missed, but the marketing stunt was out of this world — literally.
5. They Pioneered the Value Menu. Before dollar menus were the norm, Taco Bell was one of the first fast food chains to offer a full selection of budget-friendly items with the launch of its 59¢, 79¢, 99¢ menu in the 1980s. It changed the game for value-focused fast food.
6. You Can Get Married at a Taco Bell. In Las Vegas, there’s an official Taco Bell Cantina wedding chapel, where you can order tacos and tie the knot — all in one place. For under $1,000, you get a ceremony, branded merchandise, and a reception with Taco Bell catering.
7. They’ve Tested “Taco Shells” Made from Almost Everything. Taco Bell loves a good innovation. In addition to Doritos shells, they’ve tested tacos with shells made of chicken (Naked Chicken Chalupa), cheese (Toasted Cheddar Chalupa), and even waffles for breakfast items.
8. The “Belluminati” Campaign Was a Real Thing. In 2018, Taco Bell launched a campaign poking fun at secret societies. The “Belluminati” ads teased hidden value in plain sight and built an entire tongue-in-cheek mythos around the chain’s menu hacks and bundles.
9. Baja Blast Was Created Just for Taco Bell. You can now buy it in stores seasonally, but Mountain Dew Baja Blast was originally made exclusively for Taco Bell. Its tropical flavor was designed to pair perfectly with the chain’s spicy, savory menu items.
10. There’s a Taco Bell Hotel. In 2019, Taco Bell opened a pop-up hotel in Palm Springs, California, called The Bell: A Taco Bell Hotel & Resort. It featured themed rooms, poolside nachos, and branded everything — from bathrobes to nail art.

Taco Bell has never played by the rules — and that’s what keeps it interesting. With a history full of wild promotions, unexpected partnerships, and menu items that defy logic (but somehow work), the Taco Bell experience goes way beyond the drive-thru.